Park View

Fire at Sweet Mango Cafe at New Hampshire and Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the photos of this sad news on Sat. night around 8:30pm.

Another reader writes:

“Literally, the building was on fire. From all appearances, nobody was in the building and the fire was under control shortly after I shot this video. After I stopped shooting, the fire department put a ladder up on the building next to the patio the blaze was on and used a hose to douse the flames. Lots of fire department personnel on the scene, along with the usual array of ambulances and squad cars. Honestly, didn’t seem like a huge deal and looks like the situation was handled quickly and with a fair degree of ease.”

@DCFireems says:

“Update – Ga AV – Correct address -3701 New Hampshire Av NW – fire knocked – no inj”

“Update – 3701 NH Ave NW – Sweet Mango Cafe – restaurant – fire under control – moderate damage – no injury”


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More info as it becomes available.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

A Little Scuttlebutt for some Retail Spaces Above the Petworth Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

Not the most exciting news – but I know folks like to hear the scuttlebutt as soon as I hear it. So, I’m hearing that a florist and a dry cleaner are looking at two of the spaces in the Park Place building above the Petworth Metro.

It’s also not clear to me if Park Place Cafe is still coming. As many have noted and written – the coming soon sign has been up for ages with no progress. I’m still 99% sure a coffee shop/cafe will come into the space (corner of Georgia and Quincy), it’s just not clear to me whether or not it is going to be from the folks behind Tynan. Keep in mind this is all scuttlebutt and there is no confirmation on any of this. But based on the number of emails I receive every week about these spaces – well, I wanted to share what I had.

I promise to update you on these space as more concrete info becomes available.

What’s a Fair Price for My Rental? – 739 Newton Place, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: I’ve been getting a few inquiries like this so I thought it would be fun to start it as a regular feature. If you’re looking to rent a place out and are curious what is a realistic price send an email with ‘what’s a fair price’ in the title to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com. We can also do this for people selling their homes if interested.

“Dear PoP,

My apartment building is at 739 Newton Place, NW (between New Hampshire and Georgia Avenues). I think that all of the pictures explain themselves, but please let me know if anything puzzles you.

As for the apartment: The building as a whole was thoroughly renovated; the work was finished in 2007. My apartment is a one-bedroom with the bedroom being 10 feet by 10 1/2 feet in size. The living/dining area is 11 feet square. The apartment has hardwood floors. It has high ceilings and crown molding (is the term I have heard) that is reminiscent of the 1930s. What adds to the charm for me is the number of electric outlets (I do not have a number per room, but it would be difficult to use them all) and an ingenious lighting design that means that every time I need to light an area, an overhead light is there. The kitchen is state-of-the-art (granite countertops, a deep sink, a pull-out faucet, and GE Profile stainless steel appliances). The apartment has a stackable washer/dryer pair in a closet, and it has its own HVAC system (also in a closet). There is a coat closet near the front door and a reasonably good-size closet in the bedroom. As a whole, the apartment oozes charm, for whatever that is worth.

What the apartment is worth is a pressing question for me at the moment. I very much appreciate your helping me figure it out.”

Hmm, I’m gonna guess $1300 again. What do you guys think?


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Looks Like Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine Has Opened Up at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early Oct. we learned that the space formerly home to Hadiyah Cafe would become Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine. When I walked by last weekend it was closed but a menu was in the window so I’m guessing it’s probably open now. Anyone check them out. From peeking in the window – the space looks good.

They even have a happy hour.

Shot of the menu after the jump. (more…)

Armored Car Heist Mon. Morning at 2830 Sherman Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


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From an MPD press release:

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an armored car robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department on 2027279099 or 888919CRIME
or text at 50411.

DATE & LOCATION OF OFFENSE:

Monday, November 22, 2010

2830 Sherman Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Garda Armor Car Robbery

SUSPECT:

S-1: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, dark complexion, average build, mid to late 40’s, missing front tooth, dressed in all black hoodie, and pants, low hair cut, armed with a black automatic handgun

S-2: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, dark complexion, average build, mid to late 40’s, dressed in all black hoodie, and white pants, low hair cut, armed with a black automatic handgun

S-3: B/M, 5’11 – 6’0, light complexion, skinny build, inch high Mohawk hair cut

Update on New Sports Bar, The Blue Banana, Coming to 3632 Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

After our brief reader update last week I wanted to talk to Project Manager Ted Trabue to get a bit more info. He was kind enough to meet me Tues. afternoon at the space at 3632 Georgia Ave, NW next to Looking Glass Lounge.

Let me start off by setting the record straight (no pun intended) on some reader speculation – despite the name it’s not going to be a gay sports bar in the mold of Nellie’s on U St, NW. (In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, not that there’s anything wrong with that!) It is going to be a sports bar for everyone – gay, straight, black, white, men, women, football fans, soccer fans and even cricket fans if folks are interested. In other words – this is going to be a sports bar that will cater to the entire community/neighborhood.

Now a bit more about the bar. As you can tell from the photos, the construction has progressed nicely and they should be finished in the next week or so. The construction team is the same folks behind Clyde’s and Old Ebbit Grill downtown so they are very experienced. If and of course that is a big if – all the permits are acquired in a timely manner, the bar should open the first week of December. There is no kitchen in the facility but fresh food will be catered on a daily basis.

There will be 12 draft beers, consisting of a mix of domestic and imported, on tap. There will be 9 TVs with the possible addition of a 10th. The bar will seat between 12-15 and the total capacity inside will be around 80. There will be a small outdoor area out back that will hold 4 tables. As mentioned above they will show all sports and will try as best as possible to cater to the requests of the patrons.

So for now, let’s all hope that they get their permits in a timely manner! I’ll update when the menu, beer list and an exact date for opening is released.


Project Manager Ted Trabue

More photos of the interior after the jump. (more…)

DDOT Set to Start Reconstruction of Sherman Avenue

By Prince Of Petworth

From a DDOT press release on Friday:

Two Year Project Will Make Street Safer for Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced plans are in place to start the reconstruction of Sherman Avenue, NW. Major streetscape improvements, that will reshape Sherman Avenue as a residential street, are planned between Park Road and Florida Avenue. Construction on this two-year project will start next week with water-main utility work.

The department has worked very closely with the community on the design to ensure the construction will:

* Make Sherman Avenue feel more residential rather than a commuter route by reducing vehicular lanes to one in each direction.
* Improve pedestrian safety by widening the sidewalks to make them ADA compliant, and upgrading the wheelchair ramps and crosswalk markings.
* Make Sherman Avenue more attractive by planting trees and shrubs along the corridor, upgrading street lights and upgrading traffic signals.

“When we talk about livable streets in the coming years, we will be able to point to Sherman Avenue as a great example,” said Director Klein. “It won’t be a barren raceway prioritizing just cars anymore. It will be a beautiful, tree-lined residential street with wide sidewalks, shorter crosswalks and bike lanes in both directions. It will be safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”

DDOT will also completely reconstruct the roadway, upgrade the DC Water pipes and improve the drainage system along Sherman Avenue. The construction is expected to be completed in late 2012.

Fri. Afternoon Rental Option – Park View/Pleasant Plains (Owner Request)

By Prince Of Petworth

This rental is located at 6th and Lamont St, NW:


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The Craigslist ad says:

“Newly renovated 2 bedroom condo for rent on 6th and Lamont, NW. The unit includes parquet floors throughout the condo, a new w/d, a new dishwasher, a new stove/oven, and a new central heating/cooling system. With a spacious living room and even more spacious kitchen, this condo deserves a look….It is just divine! The condo is in a secure access building. Utilities are not included.

The condo is located in between the Georgia Ave and Columbia Heights train stations and near the following buses: H1/2/3/4/8, the 70s, and the 60s. It is just a 10 minute bus ride to Gallery Place/Chinatown and a 10 minute walk to the Columbia Heights Shopping area (Target, BestBuy, Giant, WSC, etc.). There is also plenty of street parking around the clock.”

Does $1350 sound reasonable for this 2 bed/1 bath?

Reader Update on New Bar, Blue Banana, Coming Next to Looking Glass Lounge

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

yesterday while walking home I had a nice chat with the guy doing the build out on a new bar/lounge going in next to Looking Glass. It will be called the Blue Banana. They were building two seating areas in the front and rear with banquettes and tables. The middle section will have the bar on the right side and tables on the left. They made a slight grade to the floor at the entrance rather than putting in a step to maintain wheelchair accessibility.

It’s too early to see what the finishes will look like, but he said it will be very modern/contemporary. They wanted to be open by now but permits, etc…. They hope to open the week before Thanksgiving. If everyone there is as nice and straightforward as the guy I talked to was, this is going to be a great place.”

Blue Banana is a sports bar coming to 3632 Georgia Ave, NW. We last spoke about the project here and you can find more background info here.

I noticed that the construction was progressing nicely. Stay tuned for updates as they come closer to opening.

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