Walking down Wilson Boulevard in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood, you’ll come across a little red coffee cart called the Ballstonian. What you’ll also see are community members sitting together at a table set up outside of the cart. This spot was started by owner Isa Seyran back in 2023.
Once a server in the area, Seyran set out to create a space that offers more than just coffee and tea — a place designed to bring the community together.
When I arrived to chat with Seyran, he immediately got up and shook my hand. He offered me tea and chai before we began our conversation.
He explained that many people have been brought together through his coffee cart. Couples have gone on to get married, connections have brought job opportunities to residents, and people have formed long-lasting friendships.
“It’s a neighborhood place,” Seyran explained. “And that’s by design. I was living here and seeing what was missing. We have so many coffee shops… but not a human connection, a genuine connection. Somebody that’s going to remember you.”
Some regulars visit the cafe daily, and for them, Seyran keeps a running tab, marked with chalk inside his cart. They told me how much Seyran cares for them, and how much they care for Seyran. He greets everyone by name, offers a handshake, and genuinely checks in.
“I have hundreds of regulars,” Seyran said. “Over the two and a half years that I’ve been here, this has become a watering hole.”
And that’s a perfect way to describe what he’s created.
Moving forward, Seyran hopes to open a brick-and-mortar store in Ballston. However, this would not just be a coffee shop. It would also be a space to bring art and culture to the community — something that Seyran is very passionate about.
“My place is going to be the kind of place that combines it all,” Seyran said. “A hub of culture.”
See it for yourself with a cup of tea or coffee, or just say hello to Seyran, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. You can’t miss the red cart at 4000 Wilson Blvd.
And if this didn’t convince you to try the coffee, maybe Seyran himself will persuade you to stop by.
