The "Cheers!" of Del Ray

To say that the George Vintage & Design store is just a new retail location on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray would be a sorry understatement. Yes, it’s retail and yes, it’s new-ish, but what owner Teri Brake has created reaches far beyond just a place to browse and buy cool vintage stuff.

When you walk in, a striking lady with a slight Texan accent greets you. She's the owner, Teri, who spent her whole life loving the mid-century modern aesthetic. She’s typically working with customers or rearranging some section of her store, which sells modern furniture, art and home goods spanning the 1930s to 1970s. Now, add a fashionable selection of retail giftware to the mix, such as super cute hostess gifts, olive wood charcuterie boards, candles and hooked yarn pillows.

Teri, a USAF Persian Gulf vet and former floral designer, is a one-woman show along with her ridiculously-adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel sidekick, George - the store’s namesake, also inspired by our nation’s first president. From her vintage store to a dog named after George Washington living on Mt. Vernon Avenue, one can see her love of history in her every choice.

While I personally love all things mid-century modern (and that is what I imagined this debut blog to be about), there’s a more engaging story going on here beyond the furniture. Teri has added a vibrancy to Del Ray that captures the bohemian, independent and unique vibe of the community. She opened the George in a pop-up location along Mt. Vernon Avenue in the summer of 2022. Very quickly, she moved to a more permanent space at 2210 Mt. Vernon Avenue - right across from the former Kiskadee location. Don’t get too comfy with this address though. Teri is rapidly expanding and growing out of the store, but intends to stay in Del Ray.

When you walk in, you get a sense of warmth. Music plays through a vintage sound system, which makes it feel like you’re visiting someone’s home. Teri’s eye for bringing in and arranging pieces in a manner that doesn’t feel too store-like and sterile is impeccable. You want to sit at the tables, try out the chairs and imagine them in your home. The George consistently sells iconic mid-century pieces from the likes of Herman Miller, Florence Knoll, Eames, Lane and more. If these names mean nothing to you, you’d very likely recognize their designs. Teri brings these lofty works down to Earth, making them feel more accessible and enjoyable than museum pieces. Everything is so unique that it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see the same item twice at her location. In fact, she turns about 75% of the store over (sells the bulk of her inventory) on a weekly basis. That is to say, if you like it, get it, because it probably won’t be around for long.

Teri chose Del Ray as the location for her store because she felt the neighborhood was “fiercely local.” That was a big appeal to her. She thinks the residents of Del Ray are fantastic and now has about 40 "regulars" who come in on a weekly basis to peruse the latest offerings. Vintage shopping is like treasure hunting in a sense that you never know what’s waiting for you to discover. The George has deservedly become the retail “Cheers” of Del Ray.

While most of the store’s items are mid-century modern, there are a few curated pieces that aren’t, but are still amazing. Everything is incredibly distinctive and has value. Customers recognize this. The DC metro area has always been infiltrated by overly-educated people with more acronyms after their names than alphabet soup. Educated people know their collectibles. They know Teri isn’t selling junk and they know her prices are accurate and fair.

Literally within the first 10 minutes of opening her doors for the first time, a Del Ray couple bought a glass-top table set with lucite egg-shaped chairs. There’s almost a sense of sending a baby bird away from the nest, but her customers become family. More recently, a near-mint condition 1962 Eames lounger lasted a mere 24 hours before going home with its lucky new owner. As pleasing as the actual brick and mortar store is, the George’s Instagram account is also extremely robust. More pieces have sold than you can imagine just as they’re posted by Teri, as there are no official online sales. Again, if you like it, get it. And look often.

Much like the neighborhood Farmers’ Market, the George has become a routine stop to visit once a week. For example, while I was there, a woman was in town from California to care for her mother and was eager to visit for something different.

To quote Teri, “It’s an activity for a lot of citizens of Del Ray and that’s what gets me on the road at 5:00 am.” Yes, she has a big truck and travels near and far to source her inventory. For the record, she won’t tell you her sources, nor should she, so don’t ask.

Teri has brought a sense of excitement, style and sophistication to Mt. Vernon Avenue and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.