Image via google street view

Dear PoPville,

Crêpes-A-Go-Go on P Street is gone. Of all things, the space is going full-circle: Shear Artistry (a hair salon) is supposed to be opening there. (It was a Hair Cuttery when I moved here 20 years ago.) I’ll miss CAGG…they had wonderful crêpes and their gelato was awesome.

I also called Crepes a Go Go Wed. afternoon and they’ve confirmed they closed their Dupont location at 2122 P St, NW. They did say they hope to find a new location possibly in the neighborhood in about a month. Stay tuned for more info on that when it becomes available.

Where there any fans of Crepes a go-go? You can see their menu here. Their sister store Crepes on the Walk remains open in Chinatown/Penn Quarter near the movie theater at 701 7th St, NW.



Photo via Google Street View

Sad news from Dupont Circle – Melody Record shop is located at 1623 Connecticut Ave, NW next to Comfort One Shoes (formerly Lambda bookstore). Their Web site announces “STORE CLOSING SALE!”:

TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL CUSTOMERS,

Melody Record Shop will be closing its doors in the winter of 2012.
While we wish that we could continue indefinitely, technology, the internet and the economy has taken its toll, and we have concluded, unfortunately, that it is not possible to survive in this environment.

We are a family owned business and it has been our privilege getting to know many of you so well over the past 34 years. We nurtured Melody, in much the same way that we raised our children, with tender loving care. We watched our store mature and grow, from vinyl, to 8 tracks, cassettes, CDs, and back to vinyl! We kept pace as VHS evolved to DVD.

For those of you who have shopped with us forever, we are eternally grateful. We worked so hard to help you locate that hard to find album, special order that specific CD or DVD, choose just that right song and be the first to have the new release from that favorite artist. We hope that our efforts have helped to bring wonderful music into your lives. Over the years, many celebrities and politicians have stopped by our store. As exciting as this was, it was just as important to us to serve the one time customer who needed a quick purchase.

To our devoted employees, we cannot thank you enough! You shared our mission, finding each customer, exceptionally important. We know that your efforts helped us survive the impact of the Internet on music for as long as we did.

We are sad to say goodbye as Melody was not just a store; it was a community where customers shared the joy and magic of great music. We are not merely closing an icon of Dupont Circle; we are saying farewell to so many good friends.

With so much gratitude for your commitment all these years,
Suzy and Jack


This home is located at 1704 P St, NW:


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The flier says:

“Located in the heart of Dupont Circle & steps to Metro, retail & dining, this exquisite 4-level Victorian row house has grand room sizes, high ceilings, hardwoods on 3 levels, detailed millwork, stunning period details, terrace for al fresco dining & spacious Kitchen w/ center island & breakfast area. Ample closets & storage space. Nearby Garage Parking is Half-Block Away (seller will pay for 1yr).”

You can find more info here and photos here.

This 5 bed/3 bath is yours for $1,299,000.


We’ve looked at this wild sculpture off P St, NW in Dupont in the past. This is the first time I actually saw a plaque with the artists name. At first I thought it said American born and I thought hmm that’s odd. Then I saw the comma…


Dear PoPville,

Republic of Congo Digs Up Their Unsightly Concrete Yard

We were passing the Congo Embassy yesterday (Sunday) and heard jackhammers of all things.
Got a quick picture of some of the rubble from their digging up their awful cement front yard on 16th & Riggs Sts. NW.

Back in Sept. ’11 we discussed the embassy replacing their green front yard with concrete.


Via 19 located at 1140 19th St, NW (formerly Mezza Luna) has an intriguing new sign out front – Via 19 Pho DC Bar and Grill. (Thanks to a reader for sending word.)

It’s not clear if Pho DC is related to the Pho DC located in Chinatown at 608 H St, NW. (I put a phone call into the Chinatown location but it went to voicemail.) It’s also not clear what elements, if any, of Via 19 will remain. What is clear though, is that you’ll soon be able to get Pho at 1140 19th St, NW. We’ll revisit for a proper judging later in the new year. In case they are related to the Pho DC in Chinatown, you can see that menu here.


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