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3106 Georgia Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Not sure if this news has made it to you, but the Soapy Joe’s location at 3106 Georgia Ave NW abruptly (and permanently) closed this week, leaving a multitude of customers (including myself) without access to our dry cleaning. Apparently, the proprietors just skipped town, essentially abandoning the location.

There is literally just a 9×11 sign at the location saying permanently closed, with a contact number.

However, after reaching out to the contact, I found out that all dry cleaning has been moved to an unaffiliated dry cleaner located at 4408 Arkansas AVE NW, which can be reached at (202) 723-0074. Hopefully this info can help others, like myself, who are currently running dangerously low on clean shirts, etc.”

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Another reader writes:

“It’s a scam. The new company announced, did a buy xxx number of credits/get free ones and took the money and split – closed down.
Classic scam.

Here’s the emails I got from 24 August.”

WE WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE THAT THIS PROMOTION WAS ONLY SENT TO OUR PARTIAL CUSTOMER LIST. WE ARE EXTENDING IT FOR TODAY SO THAT EVERYONE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE.

First we would like to thank everyone who voted for our name. The votes are in and we are now Fetch Cleaner’s. You can visit our new site www.fetchcleaners.com. Your account information is not live yet (you will not be able to login until Monday of next week).

We are celebrating by offering two of our most popular promotions. Double and Triple credits. You can receive double credits by purchasing up to $250 in credits. If you purchase more than $250 receive triple credits. (i.e. If you buy $250 receive $250 in double credits for a total of $500 or if you buy $100 you receive $100 in double credits for a total of $200. If you buy $300 or more you receive triple credits.)

Credit purchase are available in denominations of $100, $200, $250, $300, $400, $500, and $1000.

This offer will only be available until Tonight at Midnight so please get your orders in today. To redeem this offer please click on the link below and fill out the form.

https://fetchcleaners.wufoo.com/forms/s803m870wa33nr/

We will charge your card on file and automatically update your account with the credits you purchase to start using immediately. Don’t wait as this offer will expire.

Thanks for being a valued customer and we hope you take advantage of our summer promotions.

Sincerely,

The Fetch Cleaner’s Team

And then from this week:

Good Afternoon Residents,
To all the residents that associate with Soapy Joes, I’m sorry to say that they went out of business on Monday. Another company has picked up where they left off, Imperial Valet Sterling Cleaners. If you have any questions or comments here’s the contact information (202)785-1444 and speak with Mary-Ann, the assistant manager.

Soapy Joes was ALL OVER the city servicing residential buildings. Many of us bought credits and now have nothing. Not even the clothes we had sitting at the cleaners.

I called Imperial and was told that zero money transferred over to them.

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frozenyo
3000 Connecticut Ave, NW

When FroZenYo first announced in 2010 they were coming across the street from the zoo I thought it would be a license to print money. Specifically I thought they’d make “approximately a zillion dollars when the weather warms up”. Maybe I should’ve been concerned when they started branching out into Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches but I honestly never thought they’d close. Updates when more info is known.

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11th and Fairmont St, NW

Thanks to a reader for the update:

“The owner, Nick is back after a two year hiatus. The past two days he has been cleaning the store out and getting ready for a possible re-opening. I spoke to him at length today and he has gone through some personal issues, so that’s why it closed so abruptly. But he did tell me that once it’s fully cleaned, he will make a decision on whether or not he will re-open or sell. He’s leaning towards re-opening. Lots of neighbors saying hello to him as they passed when I was talking to him as he has been a staple in the neighborhood for a long time.”


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Damn it, this is not how we wanted to start out 5776. Washington City Paper reports the beloved Barrel House is moving into the former Salon Blu space which abruptly closed back in May:

“Due to rising rental costs at the store’s current location, owner Mesfun Ghebrelul says he’s signed a lease on a smaller space at 1339 14th St. NW (previously Salon Blu). The move will happen on Oct. 22, the store’s 20-year anniversary under Ghebrelul’s ownership.

Meanwhile, M.G. says he isn’t sure what will happen to the storefront barrel.”

Ed. Note: My sources in the deepest darkest crevices of the DC liquor industry had previously heard that they were possibly moving across the street to Sav On Liquors – also possibly moving for only a year while the space is renovated. Here’s to hoping the move is only temporary!

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1341 14th Street, NW


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Georgia and Shepherd St, NW

A reader inquires about The Fahrenheit:

“The construction at Georgia and Shepherd seems like it is finishing up. The condos have all been sold, according to the website. There are two or three storefronts that look like they will be opening up soon, but what is going in there? There are no signs up indicating what is opening.”

Ed. Note: These are rentals not condos. Anyone hear anything on the retail front? I love how the building turned out:

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1517 U Street, NW

Ed. Note: The 1500 block of U Street was previously home to numerous vintage/clothing shops but continues to dwindle in recent years.

Thanks to a reader for passing on from Lettie Gooch:

“Our doors have been open on U Street for over 6 exciting and fashionable years! We will be “popping up” with our new and fabulous FALL collection in September. Stay tuned for the announcement as we are still finalizing the details!

THANK YOU for your loyal patronage and support of Lettie Gooch! We love and appreciate you!

Hugs and Kisses,
The Ladies of Lettie Gooch”


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