Logan Circle

Mid City Caffe Closing Oct. 1st in Logan Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

First Sparky’s Cafe closes then Cafe 14U and now this…

Yesterday at 5pm I got the following sad press release:

“Logan Circle’s Mid City Caffe has announced that it will be closing for business. The final day of normal operation will be September 30, 2011 with limited hours of operation on October 1. The café was opened in 2009 by a pair of entrepreneurs who turned the interior of the former auto-body shop into a comfortable environment for the neighborhood’s residents to work, relax and socialize.

Unfortunately, the second-story location outside the downtown core proved underperforming. Limited accessibility restricted morning commuter and daytime foot-traffic, and while the café was blessed with a coterie of dedicated regulars, ultimately the volume simply was not there.

Known particularly as a gathering place for the neighborhood’s freelancers and creative professionals, Mid City Caffe proudly served coffee from Counter Culture Coffee and Caffe Pronto prepared by an expertly trained staff. The café’s closing will leave a gap in the expanding, but nightlife-focused, Fourteenth Street corridor.

It has been a pleasure to serve the Logan Circle neighborhood and to be apart of the city’s burgeoning specialty coffee scene. While the ownership and staff are excited to move on to other opportunities, they will miss their devoted customers.”

Mid City Caffe, located above Miss Pixie’s (also likely moving in 2012) at 1626 14th Street, NW, opened up back in Aug. ’09.

Coffee fans will now have to head to Peregrine which opened up down the block at 1718 14th St, NW in May ’11.

Do you guys think that the neighborhood couldn’t support both Peregrine and Mid City or do you think “the second-story location outside the downtown core” was Mid City’s downfall?

Judging Hotel Restaurants – Avenue Cafe

By Prince Of Petworth

Avenue Cafe is located at 1501 Rhode Island Avenue NW and is part of the Holiday Inn. I can’t imagine this would be too many people’s first choice for the Logan area but I’m just curious if anyone has stopped by to try out the BBQ menu?

This one actually first caught my attention because I thought it was advertising a happy hour at the breakfast buffet starting at 6:30am. Reading comprehension has never been my greatest strength…

Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Logan Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 1441 Q Street NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“•4,000 s.f. Italianate, three story home in prime location in Logan Circle Community.
•Many interesting and unique historic and original features throughout the house including plaster crown moldings, chandeliers, 5 fireplaces, heart pine floors, exposed brick, wood paneling.
•4 large bedrooms including large master bedroom, all with ample closets and storage.
•2 full / 1 half bath. Master Bath features double shower, double sinks, soaking tub, washer/dyer, exposed brick. Full baths recently renovated with all new appliances and plumbing.
•Study / library on 2nd floor with built in bookcases and antique paneling.
•Large eat-in kitchen (14′ X19′) with exposed brick, all stainless appliances, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, fireplace, plantation shutters.
•Large living room with fireplace, custom built bookshelves, w/pocket doors into dining room.
•Formal Dining room with fireplace and antique plaster fresco.
•Parking space in rear.
•Large brick patio in front with gardens. Small brick kitchen side patio.
•Upgraded electric panels.
•Central air conditioning and hot water radiator heat. Custom radiator cabinetry”

It’s been a while since we had some rental porn – this 4 bed Italiante 3-level home is yours for $8000.

Good Deal or Not? “WowSPACE” edition

By Prince Of Petworth

This home is located at 1424 Rhode Island Ave, NW:


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The flier says:

“WowSPACE – This Condo Town Home Has It All – Parking, Patio, Sep. Rental Apt. & in the heart of Logan!! 2BRs, 2.5BAS in main unit; Remodeled studio with 1BA, cork floors, sep gated entrance. Updated baths, SS appls. wall of windows, skylights, 2-level LR/DR with FP, wood flrs, and loft overlooking main level, tons of storage. 1 of a kind Unique-Truly Cool Space – Must see to believe!”

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

We looked at another unit on this block back in April ’10 that was going for $869,555. This unit is going for $791,424. What do you think of the house itself? Price sound right?

Whoa, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace Looks Freaking Amazing in Logan

By Prince Of Petworth

And these photos are just from the street. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace located at 1612 14th St NW in the old 100% Mexico space – has achieved an amazing transformation. I was walking by last night and could hardly believe my eyes.


100% Mexico closed their doors in 2007

This has rocketed to the top of the list of places I can’t wait to try.

And mad props for the sweet signage as well:

LoopNet lists ACKC DC Location for Lease at 1529 14th Street NW

By Prince Of Petworth

I was super surprised to stumble across this listing for 1529 14th Street NW which is the current location of ACKC:

“Existing restaurant within moratorium market. Turnkey space. Beer & wine license available. Newer construction.”

The listing shares three photos of ACKC and says the space is 2,183 square feet and the rental rate is negotiable.

More info when it becomes available.

Tues. Afternoon Rental Option –

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 13th and Riggs St, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Perfectly located on a quiet street steps away from the vibrant 14th Street Corridor. Unfurnished. Close walk to Whole Foods, Metro, Restaurants, Shopping, Theatre. W/D, AC, DW, Refrigerator, Built-in Microwave. Back yard patio space.

*Utilities included are water, gas, and electricity. 1 year lease
Non-Smoking / No pets . Thank you.”

$1600 sound right?

Development Scuttlebutt: Developers Working on Acquiring Property at 14th and S St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

File this under pure scuttlebutt – but it’s from a pretty reliable source and given how much the area is blowing up, it seems pretty realistic. First, I’m hearing that the Frontier properties (the light brown row houses across the street from Standard on S Street) will be redeveloped into a commercial building with retail on the ground floor.

Second, a developer is looking into the parking lot behind Masa 14 and would like to develop it into a residential project.

Neither of these two projects are a done deal but the ball has started rolling.

Stay tuned…

Dear PoPville – Laundry in Columbia Heights? + Laundromat at 11th and Rhode Island Ave, NW to Reopen in 2-3 weeks

By Prince Of Petworth


11th and Rhode Island St, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been using the Good Buy Laundromat at 11th and Lamont for a little over two years. I’ve generally had good experiences there, but since the management changed several months ago, the wash prices have nearly tripled (from as low as $0.75 to $2 or more per load). At the same time, all of the top-load machines have been unplugged and labeled “out of order” — presumably because their coin slots can only accommodate four quarters. On top of all of that, the place is only open until 7 p.m. during certain times of year.

Can anyone recommend a laundromat in the area that is either cheaper or open later? The place on Park between 13th and 14th seems to have some of the same issues. Alternatively, does anyone want to invite me over to use their washing machine?”

Back in April ’11 we learned that the one at 11th and Rhode Island Ave, NW had closed. When I walked by last weekend, it was completely gutted. Some workmen said that it should reopen as a new laundromat in the next 2-3 weeks. Though that’s obviously not particularly close to Columbia Heights and I’m not sure how much it will cost. I’d recommend looking into the Cardozo-Shaw Laundromat at 2710 11th St, NW. Does anyone know how much that one costs? Know of other low cost options?

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