Columbia Heights

3605 14th St, NW Building Sells – New Owners Hope to Open a Fusion Restaurant

By Prince Of Petworth

More exciting news from upper 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights. I’m happy to share more good news that the building at 3605 14th St, NW has recently sold. I spoke with one of the new owners (who also lives in the neighborhood of Columbia Heights) and he hopes to open a restaurant/lounge in the space though plans are obviously in only the very early stages. Architects are currently being consulted. But if all goes well – the owners hope to open up a Fusion restaurant with “cross cultural cuisine” featuring a mix of Asian/Indian/Latin ingredients. Because a big renovation is required we are probably talking about an 18 month process. I’ll be sure to update when plans progress.


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The Scoop on New Restaurant/Bar Moving into Former Social Space in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of days ago I shared some scuttlebutt that a new restaurant would be moving into the old Social space at 14th and Meridian Pl, NW. At the time I had very little info other than a “full service restaurant” would be coming. There has been a lot of speculation about Social since they abruptly closed back in Nov. ’10. While I think there will always be some mystery as to what happened – I’m happy to say that I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the new owners and we discussed his new plans for the space. I think this is gonna be a very very big win for the neighborhood.

The space is going to completely transformed. On the first floor is going to be a true neighborhood bar with a 70s Paul Newman/Steve McQueen movie theme with a particular emphasis on racing. Think Bullitt. For someone who’s favorite movie is Cool Hand Luke – I found this to be very welcome news.


From famous chase seen in Bullitt

In addition to the cool theme the first floor bar will lose the lounge feel and set up and look like a proper bar. There will be tvs for sports and very good happy hour deals. I’m told the happy hours will be huge and last from 3pm – 9pm with a variety of other specials everyday.

The second floor will be the dining space. It was described to me as an upscale diner. I was told, “think comfort food done very very well”. The chef has already signed on and comes from an established restaurant.

And more good news for those that live in the neighborhood – if you are a big fan of diner food you will be able to get it to go and if you live in Columbia Heights – they will deliver. [I’ll be sharing the menu in the coming weeks when it is finalized.]

I was told the new restaurant and bar will have three main focal points – happy hour, brunch, and an awesome outdoor space. The outdoor space will be completely re-landscaped both at street level and up top. There will be an outdoor bar added to the second floor patio area. In addition to other happy hour deals don’t be surprised to see a daiquiri happy hour for the 2nd floor patio. Additionally, I’m told a cool mural will be on its way as well.

The owner that I spoke with lives in the neighborhood – is excited to make this a welcoming place for all. The space is going to be reconfigured with new landscaping, new paint, new furniture, a new decor/theme, a new menu, new specials and hopes to open around May 1st.

I’ll be updating with more info as we get closer to that point.

Sound good?

Dear PoP – Press Conference Today About Alleged Chipotle Mistreatment in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of readers have been writing in about the following press conference:

WASHINGTON– On Wednesday, March 23, fired workers will present management at the Columbia Heights Chipotle with a letter demanding that they treat their workers like they treat their product: with integrity. The workers, who were suddenly terminated from the Columbia Heights Chipotle, are demanding the payment they should have received had they been allowed time to attempt to resolve the paperwork issues cited by management as the cause for their termination.

Workers, advocates, and DC council members will participate in a press conference in front of the Chipotle restaurant in Columbia Heights. Councilmembers will also announce their intent to introduce legislation that protects the fundamental rights of all Washington’s workers.

WHAT:

Press conference to denounce Chipotle’s mistreatment of workers.
· Jim Graham, DC Council Member
· Michael Brown, DC Council Member
· Workers fired from Columbia Heights Chipotle
· Emily Tulli, employment policy attorney, National Immigration Law Center
· Community Leaders, advocates, and union representatives will be available to conduct interviews.

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
12 – 1 p.m. EST

WHERE:

Columbia Heights Chipotle
3113 14th Street NW
Washington, DC
Columbia Heights Metro (Green and Yellow lines)

BACKGROUND:

At the D.C. Columbia Heights Chipotle, a dozen workers were fired in one day — March 9th, 2011. They were taken into the back room during a 30 minute break and replaced with new employees before they could return to work their next shift. Many long-time workers — some who had worked at Chipotle for six years — were literally tossed out in the cold. They received no warning and no respect.

While it works to be an ethical company, Chipotle is setting a dangerously low standard for how it treats long-time employees. The workers were fired ostensibly due to errors found in their employment paperwork. These workers, many of whom had been loyal employees at DC-area Chipotle restaurants for years, were not given the opportunity to correct their paperwork, nor were they provided with notice that their termination was imminent. Mass firings have also taken place at the Woodley Park and Chinatown Chipotle restaurants, and firings at other area Chipotle restaurants are feared.

Revisiting the Pocket Park at 14th and Oak St, NW/What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

When we looked at the park early last week the fences were still up. I finally got a chance to see it without the fences and I now see what everyone was talking about. This does feel like an awful lot of concrete. But if the city/neighborhood can set up a mini crafts fair and/or music I still think it can be a useful space.

But I do have a question – what the helen of troy are these?

Scuttlebutt: Social to be Replaced by a New Restaurant in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I noticed activity at Social in Columbia Heights this evening…any idea what is going on there?”

I got a lot of email along these lines last night. I received some scuttlebutt (from a very reliable source) but have little details. All I was told was that a new “full service restaurant” will be opening up in the space. I’m told that it will likely open in late April or early May. I’ll be sure to update when more details become available.

We last spoke about Social in Feb. ’11 located at 14th and Meridian Pl., NW in Columbia Heights.

Anyone else hear any details and/or scuttlebutt about the new restaurant?

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) Coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights?

By Prince Of Petworth

Props to the eagle eyes of The Heights Life for noticing that it looks like DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is hiring for a new store coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights, She writes:

Two job listings on CareerBuilding and Monster seems to confirm it. According to search results, DSW posted a notice for a store manager at new location at 3100 14th St. NW (ie. DCUSA) about three weeks ago.

From the DSW Website:

DSW is the shoe shopping destination for style-conscious women and men who appreciate value. With thousands of shoes, great prices, and an ever-changing inventory, the brand captures the imagination of shoe lovers nationwide. Encouraged by the award winning loyalty program DSW Rewards, these passionate shoppers return time and again to a treasure-filled environment they call “addictive.”

Any guesses on where the shoe store would go in DCUSA? Perhaps in the huge Ellwood Thompson’s space on Irving St, NW? Or that vacant space next to Senor Chicken on Park Rd, NW?

Any fans of the store? Think they are a good fit for the DCUSA Mall?


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – North(ish) Columbia Heights/West(ish) Petworth

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1235 Randolph St NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Description
-New Kitchen
– Maple Cabinets
– New Stove
– New Refrigerator
– New Floor
-Renovated Bathroom
-New Carpet
-New ENERGY efficient windows

-On-site Laundry
-On-site Manager
-Secured Entry Way

-Blocks from Georgia Ave NW and Metro Stop
-Tenant responsible for Cooking Gas and Electric”

$979 sound reasonable for this 1 bedroom?

Pocket Park at 14th and Oak St, NW Looking Good in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, I feel it’s been a really long time coming but it looks like it’s gonna be worth the wait. This past weekend was the first time I’d seen what the space was looking like. Even though planting still needed to be completed – you can certainly get a taste of how it’s gonna look. It was bulldozed back in Sept. ’10. And of course this the former home to the benches.

From what you can tell now – do you think this is an improvement?

Ed. Note: Yesterday the Washington Post reported that:

“An outside investigator has concluded there was “no wrongdoing” by former D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in the issuance of parks and recreation contracts to firms with ties to his administration.”

I will return for more photos when everything has been planted and the weather warms up a bit.

Red Rocks Sporting New Outdoor Seating in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Red Rocks located at the corner of 11th and Park Rd, NW is now sporting a new outdoor seating set up. So what do you think – do you like the new tables and chairs or did you prefer the old picnic table set up?

A little bit of neighborhood trivia – Red Rocks originally switched from tables and chairs to picnic tables back in July ’08.


Photos courtesy of James OBrien

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