Columbia Heights

New Mexican Restaurant Coming to old Philadelphia Water Ice Factory at 2620 Georgia Ave NW

By Prince Of Petworth

On top the new taqueria coming to 11th and Lamont St, NW in Columbia Heights as well as the recently opened El Centro in Logan Circle comes news of another new Mexican spot for Georgia Ave, NW.

Back in June ’10 we learned that Philadelphia Water Ice Factory had closed at 2620 Georgia Ave, NW. I’m psyched to see a replacement is finally in the works. According to a recent liquor license application a new restaurant called Mama Chuy DC will be:

“Full-service Mexican Restaurant with carry-out and delivery service. No Live Entertainment. Summer Garden with 16. Seating capacity is 16. Total occupancy is 32.”

It sounds like it’ll be a bit small but if the food is good – potentially great news for this long vacant space.

Update on New Taqueria Coming to 11th and Lamont St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I wonder if you’ve heard any updates or projected opening dates for 3313 11th in Columbia Heights? Last I heard it was going to be a mexican tapas like place with specialty tequila drinks owned by Jackie Greenbaum. I live around the corner and pass by it all the time and have never seen any activity. And now the permit/license thingy on the steel gate is almost torn/falling off.”

Sorry for those who may be nursing a tequila hangover but thanks to a reader for sending an update after this week’s North Columbia Heights Community Association meeting:

“Dear PoP,

Update on the vacant yellow building on 11th & Lamont (3313 11th St, NW). Jackie Greenbaum of Jackie’s and Sidebar in Silver Spring is bringing a funky Mexican cuisine to Columbia Heights. Even though the space is only 800 Sq Ft feet, it will have 24 seats downstairs, 30 seats rooftop and 20 seats outside. The menu will be simple as the kitchen will be small. Jackie also mention that there will always be a $5 margarita and plates will range from $2 to $15. She is also interested in utilizing the public gardens behind the building for restaurant use. All permits have been acquired and the building will start in the next couple of weeks with an opening some time in July or early August.”

11th St, NW keeps getting better and better.

20th Anniversary of Mt. Pleasant Riots – March on Chipotle in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

From a press release:

ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MT. PLEASANT DISTURBANCES

FIRED WORKERS, FAITH LEADERS, ADVOCATES, AND DC COUNCIL MEMBERS DELIVER OVER 7,000 PETITIONS TO CHIPOTLE DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR EMPLOYEES

Workers and Community Leaders Send Signal to Ensure Ethical Treatment of All Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON– On Thursday, May 5, there will be a procession from the Sacred Heart Church to the Columbia Heights Chipotle Restaurant where workers were suddenly terminated over a month ago. The long term workers were fired en mass and abruptly replaced by a new crew of workers while they met with management during a 30minute break in the back store room. The workers are demanding a public apology and 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.

Following a protest and press conference in late March, Chipotle management has refused twice to meet with Councilmember Graham and Mike Brown and has also refused to meet with workers if a lawyer or community leader is present. Chipotle dismissed the workers’ demands and has refused to apologize for mistreatment after one worker leader met alone with Chipotle.

On the 20th anniversary of the Mt Pleasant disturbances faith leaders, workers, advocates, and DC council members will participate in a procession to deliver over 7,000 petitions demanding justice for the workers.

WHAT:
Procession and Press Conference to denounce Chipotle’s mistreatment of workers and reflect on 20th Anniversary of Mt. Pleasant Disturbances

· Workers fired from Columbia Heights Chipotle
· Father Moises, Sacred Heart Church
· Michael Brown, DC Council Member *invited
· Jim Graham, DC Council Member *invited
· Roxana Olivas, director Office of Latino Affairs
· Arturo Griffiths, DC Jobs with Justice

WHEN & WHERE:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Procession beginning at Sacred Heart Church: 5:30pm
Sacred Heart Church
16th St. and Park Rd. NW.

Press Conference at Columbia Heights Chipotle: 6:00pm
Columbia Heights Chipotle
3113 14th Street NW

Dear PoP – Anyone Familiar with Limited Equity Cooperatives?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Anyone ever heard of a limited equity cooperative? This looks like you “buy” for $6,000.00, pay $750.00 a month, then get your $6,000 back when you “sell?”

The Craigslist ad says:

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:
1489 Newton Street Cooperative

Our Cooperative has 3 one-bedroom units available for sale. We are located in Columbia Heights on Newton Street, NW, between 14th and 16th Streets, just a three blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro Station, around the corner from the new DC USA shopping center.

The buying price is $6000 and the monthly carrying charge is approx $750.

You get the buying price back when you move out and sell your apartment, and the monthly charge covers your proportional share of the building’s expenses.

The apartments are about 650 sq ft., arranged in a suite style, in which the living room and bedroom are in opposing haves of the unit, and the kitchen and bathroom are clustered in between. All units have gas stoves, refrigerators, new carpet, and new paint. The building features a laundry room on site, in the basement.

Sounds pretty cool – anyone ever heard of a deal like this before?

Mon. Afternoon Rental Option – Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 16th St NW at Park Rd NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Great unit in a great location, just a block away from all the excitement of Columbia Heights metro and DCUSA mall with all retails/restaurants strips

Unit is furnished with desk, dresser, dining furniture and full size bed.

Utilities is $100 fixed per month including water, sewer, trash, electricity, gas, basic cable and wireless internet.

One month security deposit is required, one year lease is expected. If you want to rent for less than a year, there is $50 extra per month. Three months minimum.

Parking is available for $100 per month. Coin operated laundry is located at the premise.”

$1200 sound realistic for this studio?

Alero Outdoor Seating Looking Good in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, I didn’t realize the Alero in the Tivoli at 3345 14th St, NW had such a huge outdoor seating area. I think it really improves the feel of that section of 14th St, NW. It’ll be interesting to see if the Z burger adds some outdoor seating options as well. I wonder why the Ruby Tuesday doesn’t offer an outdoor seating option? The large sidewalk seems custom designed for outdoor seating.

GDoN Revisited by Hipchickindc: 759 Harvard St NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Voted one of the best real estate agents in DC by the Washington City Paper Readers’ Choice Poll in 2009, hipchickindc aka the not-so-hip Suzanne Des Marais is the Principal Broker (DC) for Urban Pace, LLC. She lives (and sells a lot of houses) in Bloomingdale, but works all over DC, with everyone from first time buyers to highly regarded developers. Unless specifically noted, neither she nor the company that she is affiliated with represented any of the parties or were directly involved in the transaction reported below. Unless otherwise noted, the source of information is Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS), which is the local multiple listing system. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Featured Property: 759 Harvard St NW
Legal Subdivision: Columbia Heights
Advertised Subdivision per Listing: Columbia Heights
Original List Price: $349,900.
List Price at Contract: $349,900.
List Date: 02/07/2011
Days on Market: 9
Settled Sales Price: $350,000.
Settlement Date: 03/14/2011
Seller Subsidy: $5000.
Bank Owned?: No Short Sale? No
Type Of Financing: Conventional

Original Good Deal or Not post is: here.

The listing can be seen: here. To see pics, open the listing link, click on the listing then scroll through from the main pic.

This home is located between Sherman Ave NW and Georgia Ave NW on Harvard St NW, a primary eastbound route connecting NW DC to the major medical centers above the McMillan Reservoir. Built during the early 20th century (DC public records date these properties in the 1908-1913 range), these modest brick rowhomes typically have two to three bedrooms and relatively small lot sizes of 800 to 1000 square feet. Lots on the even side of the street are slightly larger than the odd numbered homes. Most homes on this block do not have offstreet parking.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Good Deal or Not? “LIKE A FRENCH COUNTRY CHATEAU” edition (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 2633 15th St, NW:


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The flier says:

“WASHINGTONS BEST ADDRESSES. LIKE A FRENCH COUNTRY CHATEAU. TWO STORY GREAT RM W/ ARCHES, UPLIGHTS, 2 STORY WINDOW, FIREPL. LARGE KIT W/ GRANITE TOPS, WOOD CABS, S. S APPLS. RECENT UPDATES INCL. MOST WINDOWS, BATHRMS, CAC SYS. .NICE WOOD FLOORS THRUOUT 3BR+DEN, 2.5 BATHS. NICE PERIOD POWDER RM ON MAIN. LAUNDRY CLOSET W/ D HOOKUP. INCLUDES ONE OUTSIDE PRKG. SPACE.”

You can find more info here and a mouse on house tour here.

I’ve loved this buildings for a long time. So glad to finally get a look inside one of them. Pretty wild. What do you think of the home itself? Does $799,900 ($1,900 monthly homeowners fee) sound right for this 3 bed/2.5 bath?

Coffy Cafe Coming Soon Signs Arrive in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to see if you’ve noticed or heard about the new shop opening in Columbia Heights on 14th st. between Park and Monroe where the old “Mozel Fashion” store was. It’s called Coffy Cafe and says it will serve cupcakes and crepes among other things. It advertises a logo of a woman’s head with a huge afro and says it will have a “mod 70-s feel”. The glass is covered in bright orange and pink paper right now. Let us know if you find out any more details!”

This is the space I mentioned back in the end of March that should open in late summer. I’ve been emailing with the owner who is super enthusiastic. Stay tuned for more updates as build out progresses at 3310 14th St, NW (just north of Park Rd).

Another reader writes:

“Dear PoP,

For all the haters that said “Coffy” was a stupid nonsensical name, we can see now that it’s really “Coffy” as is in Pam Grier from 1973. Now lets just hope those crepes will keep them in business!

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