
3223 M Street, NW
I guess it was only a matter of time…


3223 M Street, NW
I guess it was only a matter of time…


1671 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
The French Apartment closed their doors last weekend. Their website described them as offering:
“a mix of antique through contemporary home decor.
Inventory changes weekly.
Antique and vintage American and European furnishings
Art Deco and Hollywood Regency Glamour
Mid-Century swank”

And further down the street at Wisconsin and O Street, NW the long vacant prime corner space is going to become a 7-Eleven.

1344 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

1054 31st Street, NW
Hill & Dale’s website says:
“We created Hill & Dale for people who are looking for a place to discover, celebrate, and enjoy interesting music.
A big part of our lives revolves around music and the people who create great sounds and songs. For years, we found music in local record stores and relied on recommendations from friends who shared our passion for music. When technology changed the way people find and enjoy music, the personal connections we found in record stores and the excitement that came from opening a new LP became scarce. Hill & Dale is a place to find and enjoy music on records, with artwork, liner notes, and lyrics that you hold in your hands. We also offer beautiful posters and photography that celebrate musicians and live performance.
We’re not attached to one style of music and enjoy many genres, geographies, and traditions. Hill & Dale offers a variety of new and old titles in pop, rock, jazz, folk, country, blues, electronica, and lots of material that’s hard to classify. We sell music that we hope you’ll enjoy, but that’s not the only reason to keep coming back to Hill & Dale. We enjoy talking about music and the musicians who are creating interesting sounds, so you can come here for reviews, links to articles, playlists, videos, and anything else that we may be sharing.”

A peek in the window after the jump. (more…)

3147 Dumbarton Street, NW
The Cowboy Western Wear space has become UTB Boutique in Georgetown.

And in other undergarment news – Bloomers has closed:

3210 O Street, NW
Bloomers ‘Underwear * Sleepwear * Loungewear’ only recently opened back in June:
“a boutique where comfort and practicality, as well as style and beauty, are the focus.”

Photo courtesy Rí Rá Georgetown
From a press release:
“ Rí Rá Georgetown (3123-3125 M Street, NW; 202-751-2111) will unveil its highly anticipated Whiskey Room this Friday, January 24. Located on the restaurant’s second floor, the specialty bar will feature an extensive selection of whiskeys from around the world, offered by the glass or as “Whiskey Duels,” and a menu of contemporary Irish small plates.
In lieu of the standard whiskey flight, Rí Rá Georgetown introduces “Whiskey Duels,” an exciting activity to entertain the whiskey aficionado and novice with the nuances of different whiskeys from around the globe. The Whiskey Duels offer beginners an opportunity to start with the basics and those well-versed in whiskey the chance to put their taste and knowledge to the test. The duels, varying in price, will include head to head match-ups of some of the finest whiskey selections served in Glencairn crystal nosing glasses paired on handcrafted Vermont White Birch tasting disks.
Guests can experience differences in flavor based on the methods of distillation and aging. Duels include “Barrel Aged vs. Unaged” and “Port Casks vs. Sherry Casks.” Rye drinkers can opt for “The Sparring of the Ryes” duel to savor the distinction between Bulliet Rye vs. James E. Pepper Rye 100 Proof ($15). Those looking to expand their knowledge in whiskey origin can contest with “Irish Peat vs. Scottish Peat”—a Connemara single cask vs. Ardbeg Uigdail single malt ($18) and “Atlantic vs. Pacific”—a Highland Park 18 year old vs. Yamazaki 18 year old ($30).
In addition, the Whiskey Room selection showcases some of the rarest whiskeys in the world. Aficionados are invited to sample two of these offerings with the “Very Rare vs. Extra Rare” duel—Midleton Very Rare vs. Crown Royal Extra Rare ($30). (more…)
From MPD:
“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced the arrest in a homicide which occurred in the 3300 block of Q Street, Northwest.
On Sunday, January 19, 2014, at approximately 6:00 am, members of the Second District responded for the report of a stabbing in the 3300 block of Q Street, Northwest. Upon arrival, they located two elderly victims suffering from apparent stab wounds. The male victim exhibited no signs consistent with life and remained on the scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy. The female victim was transported to a hospital and admitted in serious condition.
The decedent has been identified as 88 year-old Leroi Elliott of Northwest, Washington, DC.
The suspect, who is identified as 56 year-old Bradford Nelson Elliott of Northwest, was arrested on the scene and charged with Murder One while Armed.”
Update from MPD – Death of Homicide Suspect:
“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred in the 3300 block of Q Street, Northwest.
On Sunday, January 19, 2014, at approximately 6:00 am, members of the Second District responded for the report of a stabbing in the 3300 block of Q Street, Northwest. Upon arrival, they located two elderly victims suffering from apparent stab wounds. The male victim exhibited no signs consistent with life and remained on the scene until being transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy. The female victim was transported to a hospital and admitted in serious condition.
The decedent has been identified as 88 year-old Leroi Elliot of Northwest, Washington, DC.
The suspect, who is identified as 56 year-old Bradford Nelson Elliott of Northwest, was transported from the scene of the offense to an area hospital to be treated for minor lacerations to his hands that he incurred during the assault and was subsequently arrested and charged with Murder One while Armed.
On Sunday, January 19, 2014 while at the hospital receiving treatment for his lacerations, the suspect went into cardiac arrest and was admitted for further treatment. On Monday, January 20, 2014, the suspect went into cardiac arrest again and was pronounced dead. The suspect’s remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of his death.”

1063 Wisconsin Ave, NW
“Dear PoPville,
My friend pointed out that Filomena had discontinued serving its Friday buffet as of January 1, which by itself isn’t that big of a deal…until you see their reason:
FILOMENA BUFFET NOTICE:
As of January, 1, 2014, Filomena has discontinued its Friday Lunch Buffet. We regret we had to make this decision but unfortunately we face new expenses as a result of the Healthcare reform and the Friday Buffet, though wonderful, was not profitable and required extra staff which we can no longer sustain. We regret any inconvenience and on a good note, we will continue our Saturday Buffet and invite you to try our much improved Sunday Brunch Buffet!
Companies cutting back on staff because of healthcare costs was a big part of the debate over the ACA, but this is the first time that I’ve seen a restaurant publicly say that they are cutting staff. From what I’ve read, businesses that have fewer than 50 employees don’t have to provide health insurance, but can get tax breaks if they do cover their employees.
Long story short, I wonder if there are other restaurants in the area that have made similar statements in response to the ACA. Are businesses really running into financial problems because of the law, or are they using the law as a cover for decisions that they were going to have to make anyway?”
UPDATE: Filomena responds:
“In response to various inquires regarding our decision to discontinue the Friday Buffet we wish to clarify some information regarding the reasons behind it and offer some facts and hopefully clear up any misunderstandings many seem to have.
The buffet notice was intended to help explain to those Friday regular lunch buffet customers who were very upset why we stopped offering it and in some cases were demanding explanation. We were not trying to offend anyone or make a political statement but only tried to be honest with our regular Friday customers as to why we stopped it before they walked down all the steps to the dining room. Some were upset that they came down the steps specifically for the buffet and suggested we put a sign on the window before people walked down the steps, which we did. Maybe we could have written a long statement like below to better explain as to why we stopped the Friday Lunch Buffet or not put any sign and just let people be angry but being in business here for 30 years we don’t like to do that and only want to offer good customers explanation. Below hopefully it will show that Filomena is doing what most restaurants are not – offering full healthcare coverage to all 86 of it’s employees this year as of January 1st and not wait until January 2015 like it could.
Filomena employed 85 employees before we stopped the Friday lunch buffet, January 3rd and as of today employee 86 employees and in fact are advertising for some new staff because our making some changes to operations to help pay for the Healthcare Reform by increasing business which has been successful so far.
Even though the Health Care Reform employer mandate of 50 or more employees had to be offered healthcare coverage was postponed one year, Filomena decided to offer that coverage, this year, 2014 and not wait until 2015 as most restaurants have done. We want to offer coverage to our employees but honestly have to find new ways to pay for it since we are so labor intense (close to 90 employees for 150 seat restaurant).
Because of the potentially large new expense of offering healthcare coverage to 90 employees, we had to look for areas of operations that were either marginal or losing money to trim expenses or losses and find new areas to increase business so that we could keep all our employees and continue to grow our business.
Because restaurants such as ours, 86 employees, are so labor intense the potential expense of offering coverage to so many could threaten independently owned restaurants like ours. Our goal is to tackle the problem head on and find ways to pay for it without losing our employees. We have in fact done this by only offering a la carte lunch on Fridays, continue to offer the Saturday lunch Buffet and develop a new Spectacular new Sunday Brunch Buffet that has been a big success since its launch thus.
Filomena
Michael J. Chiacchieri
Vice-president
Georgetown Restaurant Corporation
t/a Filomena Ristorante
t/a Filomena’s Georgetown Bakery”

3222 M Street, NW
About a year ago we learned a DSW shoe store was close to signing a lease at the Georgetown Shops on M Street. Washington Business Journal now reports the lease has been signed though “No word yet on when the store is aiming to open; no buildout permit has yet been issued.”
DSW opened their first DC location in Columbia Heights at 14th and Irving back in early October 2012 and their second DC location in Friendship Heights back in November 2012 at 5333 Wisconsin Ave, NW.

“Afternoon Grove”, oil on linen, copyright Ed Cooper
From a press release:
“TITLE: New Landscapes: Scenes from the Shenandoah to the Chesapeake, Ed Cooper
WHEN: On view January 17 – February 15, 2014
Opening Reception: Friday, January 17, 6-8pm
WHERE: Susan Calloway Fine Arts
Book Hill, Georgetown
1643 Wisconsin Avenue NW
COST: FREE
Ed Cooper reflects the subtleties of early morning and late afternoon light and color in his plein air landscapes, capturing the interplay of sun and shade on trees, water, and grass. A wanderer, Cooper searches for scenes and objects that evoke an emotional response. He carries as constant companions a pochade box for quick oil sketches and an easel for more elaborate paintings.
While wandering I am constantly looking for scenes or objects that evoke an emotional response in me – something I just have to paint. This may be a majestic scene, an interesting object, a wonderful color, a special atmosphere, or a ray of sunlight striking a distant object. I am particularly interested in painting the effect of light on the landscape in the early morning and late afternoon or evening. These are the times for which I live – the time that has the most interesting light and the greatest emotional appeal to me. When I find something that interests me I try to capture it in paint.
Cooper holds a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology and has received awards from the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, American Artist, the National Parks Academy of the Arts, and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, and the Easton Plein Air Competition and Arts Festival.”

I thought it was pretty funny that they blacked out Michel Richard’s name but left Citronelle on the awning to the former space in Georgetown:
