U Street

Has Utopia Closed Permanently on U Street?

By Prince Of Petworth

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1418 U Street NW

Back in April 2012 we learned Utopia would be closing for 14 months due to construction. On the 1400 block of U Street the only business to reopen has been DC Noodles.

‏@Wolridges tweets us:

“Hey @popville, do you know if U-topia has closed for good? Their Facebook page says “permanently closed.” #sayitaintso”

Hmm, I thought I saw some construction going on but their listed phone number and website are no longer working. Anyone else hear anything? Utopia’s website used to say:

“Jamal Sahri Opened Utopia in 1990, establishing its place as a cornerstone in the U-Street community. Offering an ideal local for location for folks to gather, share ideas, music, food, and art. The restaurant has served as a venue for chefs, artists, musicians, community groups to express, relax, share and enjoy the things that make life utopian.”

Wydown Coffee Bar Pops Up on U Street (again) until Permanent Home is Ready on 14th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

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1359 U Street, NW

The Wydown has now popped up at Patty Boom Boom and is open 7 days a week from 8-4 Saturday-Sunday and 7-12 Monday-Friday.

Previously the Wydown Coffee Bar had popped up across the street at 1320 U Street, NW before closing in mid-December. The pop up at Patty Boom Boom is expected to last a couple months until their permanent space at the new Louis Development by 14th and U St, NW is completed.

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Policy Celebrates End of “Voluntary Agreement” Negotiates New Settlement Agreement with Later Hours at 14th and T St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

policy
1904 14th Street, NW

From a press release:

“Rapid development over the past several years, on 14th street NW, has caused various changes to the once not so favorable neighborhood. Policy being one of the first restaurants on 14th street has operated under one of the strictest Settlement Agreements, once called Voluntary Agreement. Among other things, this agreement forced them to close one hour earlier then surrounding establishments with the same type of license.

The Settlement Agreement is the agreement that the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) requires each liquor license establishment to negotiate with numerous groups including citizens. It has been debated that these agreements can cause unfair competition among establishments.

After four years of patiently waiting the expiration of the agreement, and a clear record to stake their claim, Policy has received permission from ABRA to operate with full operating hours. Through the diligent work of attorney Andrew Klein and ANC Commissioner Noah Smith, Policy was able to successfully renegotiate a new Settlement Agreement which now puts them on the same playing field as the surrounding restaurants. With the new agreement, Policy has the option to operate until 2am during the week and 3am on the weekends. In addition, they were also granted the ABRA extended holiday hours.”

The Harper Now Leasing in Logan/14th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

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1919 14th Street, NW

You like the way it turned out? I’m digging it.

Apartments are now for lease:

“We are located on 14th Street, NW between T and U Streets, and we offer contemporary studio, junior one-bedroom and one-bedroom apartments, created with the discerning urban resident in mind.”

Studios start at $1875/Mo. and 1 beds start at $2,225/Mo. You can see all the Floor plans here.

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14th and T Street, NW

Quite the upgrade from this:

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Funk – Parade, Street Fair and Music Festival Coming to U Street in May

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user clif_burns

From a press release:

“A group of over 70 local businesses, civic leaders and neighborhood organizations today announced plans for the first-ever Funk Parade in the U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

The planned event has three parts: a street fair by day, the mighty Funk Parade in the afternoon, and a music festival in the evening. The events will be rich in music and art, and will honor both the neighborhood and the spirit of funk, “the subatomic particle of love,” which brings people together and makes them feel all right. The date, May 3, is the 211th anniversary of the District’s incorporation.

Donate! Volunteer! Get involved! Email [email protected].”

Their website says:

“The Funk Parade street fair (noon-5): The neighborhood teems with music and performance, artists and vendors, food and art, workshops and spontaneous acts of soul.

The mighty Funk Parade (5-7): The main event! Imagine a gyrating horde of dancers, a marching band behind them, and a drum corps. Hear beat-boxers and junkyard drummers, see pot-bangers and clappers and kids on their parents’ shoulders. Horn players wander in and out of the crowd, neighbors come out of their homes to join the procession. A thunderous syncopated army of groove, winding its way through the neighborhood, calling the city to the funk.

The Funk Parade music festival (7- ): Grooves from all corners of the human soul play in venues on and around U Street. The sounds of the city’s best acts call from every doorway.”

Generation Conservation Happy Hour Tomorrow Night at Local 16

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ken_1001

From an email:

“Generation Conservation* is starting off the New Year with a toast to nature! Please join supporters of The Nature Conservancy and other conservation enthusiasts for a happy hour to celebrate 2014 and the first anniversary of Generation Conservation in the metro D.C. area! Attendees will have the chance to mix-and-mingle with like-minded professionals, as well as meet Conservancy staff members, including the executive director of The Nature Conservancy’s Maryland/DC Chapter, Dr. Elizabeth Gray.

The suggested donation for this event is $10. Your gift will help support the Maryland/DC Chapter’s conservation work in the Mid-Atlantic region, protecting iconic natural areas like the Appalachians and the Chesapeake Bay. From our mountains to marshes, your donation will allow the Conservancy to continue protecting the lands and waters that we all love and cherish.

*Generation Conservation (“Gen C”) is the next generation of The Nature Conservancy’s supporters in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and northern Virginia. The objective of Gen C is to raise awareness about the Conservancy and its work in the Mid-Atlantic region, and broaden support for conservation among new, younger audiences in the region.

When: 6 – 9p.m., Jan. 28, 2014
Where: Local 16 (1602 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009)
What: Happy Hour in support of The Nature Conservancy
VIPs: Executive director of the Maryland/DC Chapter Dr. Elizabeth Gray will speak about her work with the Conservancy in Washington state, Africa, and now, as she returns to her roots in the D.C. area.”

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