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HJ237 • 2026

Commending St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.

Commending St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
McPike
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Praise for St. Elmo's Coffee Pub

This bill commends St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Alexandria, Virginia, on its 30th anniversary.

What This Bill Does

  • Commends St. Elmo's Coffee Pub for being a local institution for 30 years.
  • Recognizes Nora Partlow for starting and running the coffee shop for nearly two decades.
  • Praises Larry and Christine Ponzi for continuing the legacy after buying the business in 2015.
  • Honors St. Elmo's Coffee Pub for hosting events that support local artists.

Who It Names or Affects

  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
  • Nora Partlow, founder and former owner of St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
  • Larry and Christine Ponzi, current owners of St. Elmo's Coffee Pub

Terms To Know

Commendation
An official statement that praises someone or something.
Resolution
A formal decision made by a legislative body.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide any financial support to St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.
  • It is unclear what specific actions will be taken beyond the resolution.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ237ER)

  2. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  3. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Received

  4. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  5. 2026-03-09 House

    Engrossed by House

  6. 2026-03-09 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  7. 2026-03-04 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26108733D

Official Summary Text

Commending St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, a local institution in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, has fostered a strong sense of community while serving coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and other fare to local residents and visitors for 30 years; and
WHEREAS, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub was established by Nora Partlow in 1996 to create a cozy, welcoming community hub for customers to relax, study, or spend time together while enjoying the finest coffee and delicious food; and
WHEREAS, Nora Partlow ran St. Elmo's Coffee Pub for nearly two decades, helping to transform the neighborhood, before selling the business to Larry and Christine Ponzi in 2015; and
WHEREAS, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub supports local artists by hosting poetry nights, open mic nights, and other events to promote neighborhood fellowship; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, an iconic community meeting place in Alexandria, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary in 2026; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to St. Elmo's Coffee Pub as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the business's legacy of contributions to the residents of Alexandria.