By Allison Hageman | ahageman@alextimes.com

Dolce & Bean, a local dessert and coffee shop, won the Del Ray Business Association’s Heart of Del Ray Award on Feb. 12, according to a news release. The shop is located at 2003 Mt. Vernon Ave. and opened in 2017.

The annual award is given to a business that “represents the heart and soul of Del Ray” and is determined by Del Ray residents and customers voting online. This year, over 1,400 people voted, according to the release.

The DRBA represents independently-owned businesses in the Del Ray neighborhood. Some past winners include A Show of Hands, Jen Walker of McEnearney Associates and Bobi Bomar Homes of Alexandria.