I’ve always loved this old Fidelity Storage sign touting 1000 indestructible rooms seen from 14th Street, NW just south of U Street. Well the cranes have gone in for the coming Louis at 14th development so not sure how much longer we’ll get to see it. Fortunately there is another sweet old sign closer to U street that should still be visible but it doesn’t mention the indestructible rooms. All will be forgiven when Trader Joe’s opens…


Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form after the hurricane – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

Entries are now closed for the U Street logo design competition, but we will have lots more competitions coming up for other neighborhoods. Also I’m feeling a Hurricane Sandy competition as well…


Logo by Drew Litowitz

“This logo represents the vibrate, elegant side of U Street, with its many art galleries, music venues, and cool hangout spots.”


Logo by Erin Pedati

“Here’s my submission for branding U Street. I’ve worked/attended school in DC for over a decade, but recently moved to the U St Corridor. It’s always been my favorite part of the city, especially because of the wide variety of concert/music venues. Not only is this neighborhood steeped in a rich jazz tradition, but it’s also home to 9:30 Club, Black Cat, and newer places like U Street Music Hall.

Anyway–I tried to convey that here, with the musical silhouettes, against another icon, row houses. I also wanted to incorporate elements of the DC Flag.”


Logo by Sebastian

“My primary motivation was, “What would I like to see on the front or back of a shirt that would communicate clear pride in the neighborhood immediately from close up or far away?” A simple design is necessary to answer that question. I included the hashtag because the hashtag is a marker for something unique. It puts a word within a sentence above it, commanding a more significant purpose and existence beyond those words around it. The diversity of this neighborhood puts it on the same plane. I was inspired by the metro, as it has a very significant influence on the neighborhood’s development. That is why I included the yellow and green around the hashtag. The lettering for “Ustreet” is also intentional: It matches the station markers on the metro map (non-transfer stations, which the U St. station is: White with a thick black stroke/border). The line underneath is the straight east-west line of U Street on a map, and the drop off on the right (east) is where Florida picks up and starts heading east at 7th street. The thin black border around the entire design is optional, and more there so when you post it there is a frame around the image.”


Logo by G.C.


Logo by Ana Tobin


Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form next week – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

If you’d like to enter the U Street logo design competition, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail by the end of the day with your design and “neighborhood logo competition” in the subject line.


Logo by Mike Fogel

“I’m a freelancer who’s always looking for new projects. Had some time off yesterday and thought it’d be more fun to work on this than browse craigslist for the thousandth time! Happy to hear anyone’s feedback.”


Logo by Kiah G.

“I like my logo because it is simple, classic, and clean, and I think it will look nice on a T shirt.”


Logo by Tom Haskard

“Having lived near U St for the past year, the area to me reminds me of the music I’ve heard here, be it at 9:30 Club, U St Music Hall or any of the jazz bars. The beamed notes combined with the slur to combine a U shape.”


Logo by anonymous


Logo by Emily Boyer

Continues after the jump. (more…)



1926 9th Street, NW

I was lucky enough to be invited to Cause’s opening event and the finished space looks amazing. I was also able to meet some of the organizations who will benefit from Cause’s philanthropy and was, for the first time, realizing how awesome this place really is. I’m betting there will be an Oprah or some national news coverage in the near future if they can pull this off. While I tasted some delicious drinks, I’m eager to go back and try the menu. Wishing them the very best. We will revisit for a proper judging after they’ve been open a bit.



Logo by Catherine Dolch

“The logo represents the lanes of traffic, the letter U and the two red stripes for the DC flag.”


Logo by Nadia Powell

Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form next week – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

You can see the first entry here.  If you’d like to enter the U Street logo design competition, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail by Friday afternoon with your design and “neighborhood logo competition” in the subject line.



Logo by Andrew Kay

Andrew writes:

“The thin yellow and green lines represent the metro lines that go there.”

If you’d like to enter the U Street logo design competition, please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail by Friday afternoon with your design and “neighborhood logo competition” in the subject line.

http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2012/10/new-contest-series-neighborhood-logo-competition/



12th and S St, NW

The long vacant building at the corner of 12 and S St, NW has undergone significant renovations recently. Back in May 2010 we heard a deli could be coming to the space. This morning I got confirmation that a coffee shop is coming soon. Cafe Collage recently closed nearby at 14th and T St, NW. Think a coffee shop would do well at the corner of 12th and S St, NW?

More info soon!



1926 9th St, NW

Back in March 2012 we first learned that Cause would be taking over the old La Carbonara Space at 1926 9th St, NW just south of U Street.

They’ve completed their extensive renovations and the two floor space looks great:

Lots of great reclaimed wood:

Awesome skylights throughout:

Here’s a first look at their menu:

Cause menu (PDF)


Click image above to enlarge

In addition to the menu there will be 10 daily specials, based on seasonally available ingredients prepared by Chef Adam Stein.

Draft beer will be rotating on a regular basis but they’ll start with:

Guinness
Great Lakes Eliot Ness Amber
Franziskaner Hefe-Weizen
Port City Monumental IPA
Lost Rhino RhinO’Fest Marzen
Chocolate City “Bridge Builder” Scotch Ale

They are having a sneak preview party on Saturday. Tickets are $50 for admission, hors d’oeurves, plus beer and wine. The grand opening will be Wed. Oct. 24th at 8pm. You can read all about their philosophy here.


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