photo by Clif Burns
“Dear PoPville,
We’re looking to replace our refrigerator, specifically, but it could be any appliance.
Can anyone recommend quality appliance vendors that 1) made a careful assessment and solid measurements of the space (it’s for a CapHill row house); 2) didn’t make you feel like they upcharged you an exorbitant
amount on the appliance itself when you later found it at Lowes (or anywhere) for $X dollars less; and 3)
where you felt they were presenting you with the full slate of options and their recommendation was based purely on quality and how well it fits your space and needs, and not some financial motive?
I don’t have a foundation for these fears except that the range of appliance and vendor options are many, the quality of manufacturers and vendors can vary greatly, the purchase will be semi-permanent, and one will pay a pretty penny. I am happy to pay for service, which is to say I am not angling for ‘free installation’ promotions or any sweeteners, but I also don’t want to feel like I am being taken advantage of and most of all I don’t want to regret any purchase or decision. It may be that I’m just too much of a newbie at this and these concerns are irrational, but people buy cars more frequently than they do refrigerators so I feel like I am flailing about a bit as I try to weigh my options against all the variables.
Any tips or pointers would be much appreciated.”
Recent Stories

District Cutlery is celebrating their 10th and 11th anniversaries this week (we forgot last year) and offering customers 25% off all sharpening services. Walk-in service at Union Market is welcome or you can make arrangements for mail-in service on their website. Typical turn-around is less than an hour (but sometimes the queue gets long).
DMV’s professional chefs and passionate home cooks have trusted the District Cutlery with their knives for over 10 years. You can see pictures of their work @districtcutlery Instagram. They also specialize in sharpening styling shears, scissors and smaller garden tools and axes.

Girls in Gear is a Non-Profit that teaches girls age 5+ life skills through bike skills. We aim to get your girl to fall in love with herself, her friends, and her bike! Registration is open across the DMV for our eight-week program that starts the weekend of September 23rd. Programming runs for 90 minutes once a week on a weekend morning.
All abilities of riders – balance bikes, training wheels, two wheels, road-bike pros and everything in between – are welcome. We are non-competitive and focus on having fun no matter what your level of riding is. We pride ourselves in being a low-cost program and also have a no-questions-asked scholarship policy that includes bikes and helmets if needed.
DMV Sites Fall 2023:
Storytelling Night: Immigrants Celebrating Independence and Individuality
Independence permeates every step of the immigrant journey. It may have motivated the move or could be a result of it, but regardless, self-discovery is inextricably tied to the experience.
In this storytelling night, just days after Nigeria’s Independence Day,
One-Night-Only! Live Stand-Up Comedy Special & Album Taping
🎟 One Night Only! Exclusive Comedy Taping! 🎟
Get ready for a night of laughter at the iconic Kelly’s Irish Times, just steps from Union Station. Join us for a one-night-only event as our headliner records and retires his best