New Mosaic District cafe serves Oprah-endorsed cookies, coffee and more | FFXnow

A new breakfast and brunch option is now available at the Mosaic District in Merrifield.

Maman, a New York-based cafe chain, opened its first Virginia location in the former Oath Pizza space on June 11, and the response so far has been as warm as the recent weather, according to company co-founder Elisa Marshall.

“From day one, neighbors and visitors alike have embraced maman as a new gathering place, whether they’re stopping in for morning coffee, meeting friends for brunch, or picking up pastries to go,” Marshall told FFXnow by email. “We’re truly grateful for the support and excitement we’ve felt from the entire community.”

Located at 2920 District Avenue, Suite 150, maman serves a variety of sandwiches, pastries and soups and salads. The drink menu includes both iced and hot coffee and tea, along with juices.

Some of the offerings are signature staples of maman, including nutty chocolate chip cookies and seasonal quiches, but a few items — such as a Youky’s club sandwich with turkey, bacon, avocado and arugula on seeded sourdough — are exclusively served at cafes in the D.C. area, Marshall says.

Seeking to replicate the comfort of their childhood kitchens, Marshall opened the original maman with her business partner and husband, Benjamin Sormonte, in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in 2014. Now boasting 45 locations and counting, the chain generates over $47 million in sales per year, CNBC reported last summer.

Though maman remains concentrated on the East Coast, particularly around the New York area, it gained national recognition when longtime talk show host, actor and media mogul Oprah Winfrey named its 12-cookie box among her favorite things in 2017, according to CNBC.

Maman has several D.C. locations and one in Bethesda, Maryland. For the first Virginia cafe, Marshall says they were drawn to the Mosaic District for its “vibrant, community-focused energy” and the opportunity to partner again with property owner and developer Edens, which also brought maman to Union Market and other sites.

“Merrifield’s mix of local shops, family-friendly spaces, and lively gathering spots mirrors the spirit of maman,” Marshall said. “… Edens has created a truly special community at Mosaic, and we’re thrilled to be part of it.”

Roughly 1,675 square feet in size, maman’s Mosaic District location has 36 seats but can serve up to 400 patrons each day on average, according to Fairfax County permits. The cafe is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The opening in Merrifield is just the start of maman’s plans for its Virginia expansion. The business anticipates opening a location in Old Town Alexandria in winter 2025, and a cafe in Arlington’s Courthouse neighborhood is expected to open in the fourth quarter of this year.

“Our vision for Mosaic is to further integrate into this vibrant community and grow deep roots — creating a warm, welcoming space that feels like a true neighborhood cafe where people can connect,” Marshall said. “We want to become a part of the daily rhythm of the Mosaic District and contribute to its lively spirit.”

The Mosaic District has seen a few retail arrivals in recent months, welcoming the home textiles store Boll & Branch and the furniture maker Herman Miller this spring. Donut chain The Salty is expected to open sometime this summer, and Hawkers, an Asian street food restaurant, still appears to be under construction in the space vacated by Four Sisters in 2023.

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.