Happy 10th Anniversary to Alexandria's Hollin Hall Pastry Shop!

The Logsdon Commercial Group is pleased to congratulate the Hollin Hall Pastry Shop on their 10th anniversary. This gem - tucked away on Fort Hunt Road off the scenic George Washington Parkway - has been serving up sweet delights since August 2000. But the story goes back long before then.

Self-taught pastry chef Mel Meadows, the brainchild behind this venture, actually began his career in 1981 at the prestigious Congressional Country Club. His talent in crafting European confections soon landed him at two of the region's top caterers, where he soon won over numerous dignitaries and heads of state with is innovative designs.

Feeling the pangs of entrepreneurship, Mel decided to open a pastry shop of his own in North Alexandria where he could showcase the range of his talents in such med  ums as cakes, cream pastries, tarts, truffles, and other desserts. Then, seeing an underserved market in Alexandria's expanding Fort Hunt Road corridor - halfway between Old Town and Mount Vernon - he moved south and opened what is now the Hollin Hall Pastry Shop.

The neighbors couldn't be happier. Soon, not just local residents but fans from Old Town and beyond were descending on  Hollin Hall Pastry Shop to sample the mousse pastries, Napoleons, tartlets, custom cakes, and hand-made chocolates. Using imported chocolate and organic fruit, Hollin Hall Pastry Shop also creates custom  cakes for weddings and and special occasions.

Among our favorites? The Triple Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu Mousse pastries, Lemon and Mango Mouse cakes, and the Passionfruit and Apricot Tart.

Honored with two distinct "Business of the Year" awards in 2004, Chef Meadows was also asked to produce a giant cake to celebrate the opening of the new Washington D.C. Convention Center in 2003. An inspiration to local entrepreneurs, Chef Meadows believes in serving more than cake – he gives back to the community with his time and money, sponsoring such events as the Carpenter's Shelter Cook-Off.

Check out their website   for a list of desserts and be sure to stop by their elegant store at 7920 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, 22308.