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Catch Tucker's U Street business Round up from the May 12th U Street Neighborhood Association.

Tucker’s U Street Business Round Up May 12

BarsVelvet Lounge has applied for a summer garden permit: “Request a new Summer Garden seating capacity of 25 seats and a total occupancy load of 134.” There’s gonna be some good outdoor seating options on this block when Dodge City and Dickson Wine Barget their outdoor seating as well.

RestaurantsA local entrepreneur, in conjunction with Chow Down Inc. from New York, hopes to open a restaurant at 1407-1409 T Street NW. The old post office building on T Street (next door to Policy) is set to become a "casual bistro" creatively called "the Post Office Bistro." You know the drill: casual fare, outdoor patio, summer garden, etc. The most striking thing about the liquor license application is a note that the total occupancy will be nearly 260 seats. e. The liquor license application is on the ANC 2B agenda for this Wednesday, May 11. UPDATE: ANC 2B opted to opposed the permit.More excitement for the 900 block of U St, NW. Thanks to an eagle eyed reader for noticing the permit that had recently gone up at 913 U St, NW in the old Metro Lab building next to Velvet Lounge. The magic words on the permit: proposed use – RestaurantThe new tacqueria coming to the space next door to the Black Cat, El Centro D.F., opened on Cinco de MayoAnd finally, also from U Street Girl, it looks like the folks over at Peregrine Espresso are gearing up for a grand opening at their new 14th Street location soon.  Italian Bistro (12th & V) will be opening soon.

RetailProof of the return of the market on 14th Street is a mixed-use project by Level 2 Development, a local real estate developer specializing in high-end residential and retail projects. It has announced two tenants for the retail spaces at the View 14 complex at 2303 14th Street NW. The building is on the northeast corner of 14th and Florida Avenue.YWCA National Capital Area (Young Women’s Christian Association) and Beta Academy will occupy the spaces after build-out is complete. YWCA agreed to a 15-year lease and hopes to open in January 2012. Beta Academy will have a 10-year lease and has a target opening of third quarter 2011. YWCA will be relocating from their current headquarters near Gallery Place. Their 15,000-square foot View 14 space will operate as a health and wellness community center and will host a variety of educational, fitness and empowerment services for women.Beta Academy (Body Efficient Tactical Arts) is relocating from a church in Columbia Heights. Beta’s 9,000-square foot, lower level space at View 14 will operate as a mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training academy.

Other DevelopmentWe heard back in Feb. ’11 that BETA martial arts gym was looking tomove into the prime space in the View 14 building at the corner of 14th of Florida Ave, NW if their fundraising goals were successful. BETA:”We are pleased to announce that BETA Academy has finally signed the lease on its new 9,000 sq.ft. facility and is now beginning the process of design and build-out of our new home. This exciting process is estimated to take 3 or 4 months. We therefore expect to move to our new location by July or August of this year. In the meantime, we appreciate your continued support and patience.

”Local business owner was looking for a contact at 1357 U ST NW for help in renovations next door. Contact an USNA Exec Team member for details.