U Street

Go Mama Go! Going Out of Business at 1809 14th Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


1809 14th Street, NW

We visited Go Mama Go! back in June of ’08. From a press release from the owner:

“Go mama go!, the vibrant housewares, accessories and gift shop on 14th Street NW , will be closing its doors in the next few months, according to its owner, Jonathan Chudnoff.

Chudnoff attributes the closing to the twin blows of the general economic decline and the death of the store’s founder, Noi Chudnoff, whose dynamic spirit, creativity and personality were key ingredients in the store’s early success.”

We Haven’t Looked at Rentals in a While

By Prince Of Petworth

I don’t think I’ll make this a regular feature unless folks want it. But walking down 13th just north of U Street I saw this rent sign and thought it was a pretty good deal. Though I really don’t know if I could live in a basement again. I lived in one once and never knew what time it was…

For this sweet location does this sound like a good deal – $1525 per month.

Dry Cleaners News – They’re Not Just Closing!

By Prince Of Petworth

While we’ve heard of the closings on 14th Street (Swann Cleaners and the one a bit further south) I’m happy to report a couple of new openings.  Bill’s cleaners had finally opened up at the corner of 13th and Florida Ave (1301 Florida Ave, NW).

And Cupid Cleaners has opened up in Adams Morgan at 1704 Euclid Street, NW. This is an organic cleaners that will have a 20% grand opening discount for a couple of months. Because Bill’s was closed when I walked by I only got pricing info for Cupid. Before the discount shirts are $1.35, pants are $4.95, and suits are $9.95.

Axis on U Street Becomes Bistro La Bonne

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this is completely wild. I had no idea that Axis Bar & Grill closed (their Web site is still working) at 1340 U Street, NW. Thanks to a tweet from @FrenchTwistDC indeed Bistro La Bonne has opened up in that space. Their Web site says:

“U Street finally has its own bistro! Chef Daniel La Bonne has long desired to create a French bistro with his personal touches, and Bistro La Bonne is his latest creation and personal vision. Chef Daniel has set a successful track record in opening and running several restaurants and bistros which earned 2.5 to 3 stars from the Washington Post and a place in the highly regarded Washington Post Dining Guide…

Chef Daniel invites you to join him in this comfortable and popular establishment. The delectable menu and accessible wine list should please anyone who walks into this homey bistro. Chef Daniel prepares menus for the brunch, lunch, dinner, and late night crowds. Chef Daniel La Bonne and the friendly staff will make your visit a quality neighborhood experience.”

You can see their menu here. I think this is great news. Will anyone miss Axis? Do you think a Bistro is a good fit for U Street?

Masa 14 Already Looking to Expand

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, Masa 14 located at 1825 14th St, NW has only been only been open a few months and it’s already set to expand according to an alcohol beverage application. In addition to adding a summer garden they’d like to open up the second floor as well:

What is the Manhattan on Florida Ave.?

By Prince Of Petworth

A few folks have recently asked me about this cool building located at 1328 Florida Ave, NW. Some thought it was a condo but actually it’s Meridian Public charter school:

We’ve looked at this building before and it definitely is a gem with great details:

Checking in on New Buildings

By Prince Of Petworth

The building on the 2100 block of 11th Street, NW (south of W) looks nearly completed. Think it fits in with the block? Overall – thumbs up or down?

Nice Tribute to Ben Ali in New York Times

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wake Up The Giant

Thanks to a reader for sending this link:

“Ben Ali was a businessman with a plan. He gave all three of his sons the middle name Ben in case one of them ever took over Ben’s Chili Bowl, the restaurant he opened in the de facto segregated District of Columbia of 1958. It turned out that two of them, Kamal and Nizam, did just that, and by the time their father died, they had long ago proved equal to the task, turning a neighborhood haunt for chili dogs and chili cheeseburgers into an internationally known business, with annual sales exceeding $5 million.”

You can read the rest of the tribute here.

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