This month's U Street Business notes sees tacos, donuts, and touchdowns coming into the neighborhood. We'll also be bidding farewell to some local businesses as well.
Compiled monthly by U Street Neighborhood Association Business Development Chair,
Tucker Gallagher , these notes are a quick way to keep up on what's happening with neighborhood business development activity in the Greater U Street neighborhood.
Please click Read more... for the complete monthly business notes for March 2011.
U Street Business Notes for March 2011
What's happening with neighborhood Bars?
After applying for a liquor license,
Pica Taco (14th and Florida) is now serving beer . They have bottles of Corona, Dos Equis, Miller Light, and Negra Modelo available. So next time you stop in for a taco, sit down and enjoy a beer.
Touchdown, the new sports bar at the old MoMo’s space on U street, opened Tuesday. Touchdown is on two floors (as of now, they have a third floor that hasn’t opened yet) with tons of flatscreen TVs with a pretty basic beer and bar food menu. Also add one more cool feature to the bar – they are looking to include a bocce component at Harrison Recreation Center.
What's happening with neighborhood Restaurants?
Metrocurean has the latest on El Centro D.F., the tacqueria opening soon next door to the Black Cat. El Centro, which is being opened by Richard Sandoval and Kaz Okochi, the team
behind Masa 14, is aiming for a May 5 opening. They plan to offer take-out tacos, a seated restaurant area, and the requisite bar/lounge space in the basement.
Across the street, caffeine purveyors
Peregrine Espresso continue to work away towards a "Spring 2011" opening. (They also appear concerned over the
lack of businesses along the 1700 block of 14th street.)
Confirming that a new pizza place is coming to 717 T St, NW. It’s not clear yet if it’ll be a proper sit down or a takeout space.
Yes,
Dunkin Donuts and Subway are coming to 14th and U next to Marvin. Also
Lost Society , a boutique steakhouse owned by a group of local investors located on the second and third floors of this corner building, will feature a steak centric menu that blends market fresh produce, grass fed local meats, and regional seafood with innovative techniques to create both familiar classics and bold original dishes. The space features full dining, bar and lounge space, as well as a rooftop deck. Rumor has it that the space is designed to look like a Victorian Underground with peek-a-boo booths and spy mirrors.
It seems like Standard , either the burger or barbecue place at 14th and S (it seems to depend on whom you talk to) opened last night, March 9.
What's happening with neighborhood Retail?
Garden District closed for good. The 14th Street-based nursery and plant retailer Garden District was living on borrowed time ever since they filed for bankruptcy back in November 2009. Sadly, it’s time was up.
Also Greater Goods , the eco-friendly retail store located at 1626 U Street NW, shut its doors at the end of February.
Divine Shine, has recently opened up at 723 T St, NW. They also do handbag restoration. They are open Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm and Sat. 9am-5pm.
What's happening with neighborhood Development?
New Residences for 11th Street: A
mostly vacant lot at the corner of 11th and V may soon be ready for a makeover now that developer Habte Sequar of Loford LLC has purchased the land with plans for a new residential building. The as yet unnamed development is to provide 40 1-and 2-bedroom units, but as far as whether they'll be condos or apartments, Sequar said it's too early to say.
Sequar told DCMud he bought the property several months ago from Quality Investments, and that Loford is working on design in-house, with the intention of naming an architect further along in this process. Though Sequar says he hopes to wrap things up within 18 to 24 months, he's being optimistic. It's taken nearly ten months to submit the raze permit: The date written on it says April 2010, yet the Historic Preservation Officeclaims to have received it earlier this month.
VIDA Fitness work is already underway on the empty lot between Stetson's and 1612 U Street NW. The entire building will be vacated for renovations and will undergo an impressive $13 million renovation and expansion, and reopen as a VIDA Fitness. In addition to the gym and Bang Salon, an Aura Spa and restaurant will also be part of the complex. The renovation will also add a 60-foot rooftop pool complex that will be heated by re-captured heat from the HVAC systems.
Also in the neighborhood,
Affinity Lab, opening up a space just east of the U Street Metro in January 2010, inspires local entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. The entrepreneurial launch platform not only provides a shared office space, but more importantly a collaborative community of business owners and resources.
Since Affinity Lab moved to the U Street space, Chetrit has become a member of the
MidCity Business Association and currently serves as a block captain, acting as a liaison between the association and local business owners. Several establishments have opened up in the area since the organization relocated, including
Dodge City and
Dickson Wine Bar .
