Shaw

Neighbors Having Serious Problems With Mood Lounge in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader shares a letter and some follow up re: Mood Lounge located at 1318 9th St, NW (in the former Be-Bar space):

Councilmember Evans,

Does the MOOD Lounge have permission to operate on Sunday through Thursday nights? Because their website indicates they are only open on Friday and Saturday nights, and these are the only two nights of the week we as neighbors are subjected to torture on a regular basis…. I know this is not standard for them (as they have not operated on these nights in the past), but tonight is a Thursday night (a work-week night, for those of us in the surrounding neighborhood…) and the music is blasting, the patrons are lined up out front (and I took pictures) and they are operating as any other nightclub that is not in a residential neighborhood.

I’m really beginning to lose my patience with this operation and with the complete inaction by local government officials to address this problem…. I know that in other neighborhoods I have lived in that the City Councilmember wouldn’t put up with this.

Councilmember Evans – HOW WILL YOU FIX THIS??? As a citizen in your ward, I rely on you to handle issues like this in this neighborhood that affect the quality of life for your citizens. PLEASE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE – either by closing this nightclub in a residential neighborhood permanently or by forcing them to abide by the Voluntary Agreement that they accepted when they obtained the rights to this club (which, for the record, as a new operator, should have been renegotiated with the local residents).

Furthermore, I want to encourage you, as a sleepless resident, to introduce legislation (which if you don’t have time to write, I am happy to write on your behalf since I cannot sleep and have nothing better to do with my time…) that invalidates any prior ABRA license and VA for any new owner or lessee of a property which previously held one in the District. Furthermore, I am happy to introduce legislation that bars ABRA from granting CT or CN licenses within 300 feet of a residence, as such licenses are incompatible by definition with a neighboring residential community. I am confident I can validate this concern through a petition of residents in your ward.

Time after time, future owners have presented issues in every Ward that were not anticipated (and therefore legislated against or fought in a prior VA) with prior owners of said license. You may be sleeping soundly when this email is sent, but I am not. And that is a problem. As my City Councilmember, I am asking you why I cannot get a resolution to an ongoing problem with noise complaints, drug sales, prostitution, and loitering from a nuisance bar that is 75 feet away from my home. An answer to myself and all CC’d on this email would be appreciated. If the shortcoming is in the law, I would appreciate a civics lesson in how as a citizen I can improve the relevant laws to increase the quality of life in my own neighborhood. If the shortcomings are in the enforcement of the existing laws, I would appreciate an answer about why the Councilmember we voted to keep in this position cannot resolve a simple ABRA issue relating to REPEATED BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW.

Why is it every single time I overstay my meter by 60 seconds I get a ticket from the parking authority (and have to pay the fine or get booted) and yet this business repeatedly throws up the middle finger at city hall and gets away with it???? Double Standard???

Responses after the jump. (more…)

Ken’s Carryout Becoming a Chinese Restaurant in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Feb. ’11 we noted that Ken’s Carryout had closed at 400 Florida Ave, NW but it was unclear what was going to become of the space. On Sat. I spoke to some workers who told me it is going to become a Chinese Restaurant. It looks like there’s gonna be a significant reno and the workers thought the new place would open up in about three months. I’ll be sure to revisit when construction progresses and a menu becomes available.

We judged Ken’s back in Oct. ’10.

Big Police Presence Near Shaw Metro Around 5pm Mon. Afternoon?

By Prince Of Petworth


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A reader writes in at 4:59pm:

I was walking my dog along Rhode Island a few minutes ago when I heard quite a few police sirens near the Shaw metro stop. Curiosity got the best of me so I walked over towards the commotion. There were easily a dozen police cars (and a van) with even more showing up. I saw dozens of people coming out of the station as well as quite a few kids and elderly people milling around the Lincoln-Westmoreland. Since there was really nothing going on, I started to walk towards my house. After a few seconds though, a police car drove down the sidewalk towards me [on 8th St, NW b/w R and S], stopped, and the cop told me to leave the area immediately because there was “about to be some shootings”. I have no idea what happened since I got out of there right away but that comment from the cop just struck me as quite odd.

Anyone see what’s going on?

I’m waiting to hear back from MPD.

UPDATE 5:39pm, MPD writes:

“Third District Officers interrupted and were able to prevent an assault at the 7-11 store (7th and Rhode Island Avenue, NW). A knife was recovered and an arrest was made. However, the victim in the case fled and a short time later a group was located fighting nearby, as officers converged the group fled. It has not been confirmed that the two incidents are related, however, The Third District (MPD) has deployed officers to the area and requests publics assistance by calling 911 if they see suspicious activity.”

Movement on Development Plans for Wonder Bread Factory and Chinatown CVS Buildings

By Prince Of Petworth

@CCCAPrez of the Convention Center Community Association tweets some interesting info last night:

“@douglasdevdc gives update on #WonderBreadFactory will go fwd now w/ 3-story office building, w/o residential. Hopefully groundfloor retail.”

Some people had suggested the Wonderbread Factory located at 641 S St, NW, as a good location for the new Eataly coming to DC. Oh well.

Are you disappointed there will be no residential component?

@CCCAPrez also tweets that we may finally see some movement on the old CVS located at 7th and H St, NW by the Chinatown metro:

“@douglasdevdc is moving fwd w/ old CVS bldg, 7&HNW, w/ ground fl retail on 4-story office bldg developing lot next 2 Vapiano R2L arch #ANC2C”

Props to Good People of Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user MARSHALL on H

“Dear PoP,

I was walking my dog around 6:30 this morning at S and 10 when I heard a woman start screaming, “Help me, help me”.  Within seconds, 5 or 6 people converged on the woman: a contractor working around the corner, a man out for a morning stroll, a few neighbors popping out of their houses (including one who was in his boxers).  Apparently a dog had gotten loose and attacked her and her dog.  The neighbors got the dog subdued and the woman was safe.  I don’t want to downplay the attack (it didn’t look too serious), but I wanted to give props to the neighborhood.  Shaw doesn’t have the most stellar reputation but it’s filled to the brim with good people.  Combined with the incident on S and 8 a couple weeks ago when a neighbor scared off that man’s attackers, it’s nice to see we don’t suffer from the bystander efffect.“

Robin’s Nest Opens at 809 Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in late March we learned that Robin’s Nest would be opening soon at 809 Florida Ave, NW. I stopped by last weekend and the space is now open. They are open Wed. – Fri. 1pm – 7pm; Sat. 11am – 6pm; and Sun. 1pm-4pm.

Some may recognize Robin and she used to show her stuff at Eastern Market for 12 years. In addition to her own wares, Robin’s Nest also features gently used clothing (photos after the jump.) Additionally on Sundays, Robin invites you to stop by and knit, crochet and/or do other crafts and just hang out. Craft classes will soon be offered at the end of June. Call 202-243-9505 to find out more and sign up.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

Seasonal Pantry Opens at 1314 ½ Ninth Street NW

By Prince Of Petworth

From Seasonal Pantry’s Web site:

Seasonal Pantry’s product line is a tribute to roadside farm stands and old-fashioned markets. It’s a neighborhood store offering all sorts of house-made small-batch products, specialty foods, and local and imported goods. Think of us as a cross between an old-world butcher, an Italian pasta shop, and a family grocery.

I stopped in last weekend and they are off to great start. They’ll be getting lots more options soon. I’m also eager to check out their sister sandwich shop, SUNdeVICH, when it opens in a few weeks as well.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

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