From the 20th anniversary celebrations in 2019
From WAMU:
“After 23 years delivering vital, regional news programming to the D.C. region, The Kojo Nnamdi Show will end production this spring. WAMU announced today that the final live show will air on Thursday, April 1, 2021. While host Kojo Nnamdi will be stepping back from his daily duties on the mic, he will stay engaged with his four-decades-long commitment to journalism by continuing to host the popular The Politics Hour on Fridays. (more…)
4012 Georgia Ave, NW via loopnet
Thanks to textdoc for sending:
“The voicemail greeting was a long and somewhat emotional one — worth calling and giving it a listen. (202) 723-7142
It didn’t specifically say why Dr. Thornburgh was retiring, but he was getting up in years and I think had been planning to retire at some point anyway. My guess is that the pandemic probably accelerated that decision.
A veterinarian friend of mine from high school caught COVID-19 at work — fortunately, he recovered fully. I suppose that’s a good reminder that it’s a frontline occupation. (more…)
737 7th Street, NW via Urban Outfitters
Thanks to ‘things’ for the heads up: “wtfff why is everything in Chinatown closing?”
A call to Urban Outfitters confirms that the Chinatown closing is indeed permanent. They do note that the one in Georgetown (3111 M Street, NW) remains open.
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
First the World Market closed inside the Bed Bath and Beyond in Chinatown and soon it’ll be farewell in Friendship Heights.
Did I need box of herring fillets, a 6 pack of Tsingtao beer, a king tut mini snow globe and zebra travel umbrella? No, no I did not*. Did I buy them because they were on sale? Yes. Yes I did. [*my children would disagree. On the snow globe and zebra umbrella anyway.] Get yours by the end of the month. (more…)
Thanks to Dave for always looking out for us! Capitol Video has been at this location for 31 years. (more…)
800 Connecticut Ave, NW
Whoa, missed this one. In 2014 they completed a million dollar renovation. On October 14th they posted to their website:
“Oval Room has closed its doors.
Thank you to our staff and customers for their support over the years. (more…)
Photo by airbus777
“Dear PoPville,
Any reports of what it’s like to fly American Eagle from #DCA right now, is it still #35X and a crowded bus?”
WMATAstuff replied: “Nope 35X is gone once and for all. They’ve been moved into the main terminal while they finish the new gate 35X terminal.”
UPDATE: Official word from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:
“American Airlines continues to operate several flights a day using Gate 35X. Once the new concourse, which is currently under construction, opens next year, then flights will stop operating from Gate 35X.”
From DCA:
“With the demolition and removal of office buildings and aircraft hangars that once occupied the north end of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the palette is clearing for the construction of a New Commuter Concourse that will replace passenger movement through the infamously congested Gate 35X. Presently, six thousand passengers a day journey through 35X, boarding buses that drive them to remotely parked aircraft. When the new concourse opens in 2021, 14 gates with jetbridges will replace the busing system, and the less-than-pleasing traits of Gate 35X will be retired.” (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
For the past week I have been trying to find out what is going on with the East Potomac Park pool. You posted about the unknown status of the pool earlier this week. I have now received a response from DPR. I’m sad to share that they are filling in the pool with dirt and it seems that the pool may never be completed. DPR directed me to the updated project page which states “It has become necessary to demobilize and stabilize the East Potomac Pool project due to deteriorating site conditions from significant and unforeseen groundwater intrusion that ultimately made the continuation of the project both safety and cost prohibitive. (more…)
1819 Columbia Road, NW
Thanks to John for passing on the very sad report from Johnny’s Half Shell (back in August it looked like a reopening was in the works, alas):
“‘just give me one thing that i can hold onto
to believe in this livin’
is just a hard way to go’
Johnny’s Half Shell opened June 21, 1999 in Dupont Circle, and today we let you know that our last meal was served on March 14th, 2020. (more…)
1432 Pennsylvania Ave, SE via Wisdom
Thanks to Joel for passing on from Wisdom:
“Friends, patrons, and gin heads-
it is with profound gratitude that I announce that Wisdom’s closing its doors after exactly 12 years of business.
In 2003, I developed a dream-that quickly became an obsession – of opening a neighborhood cocktail lounge. The cocktail resurgence was in its infancy and at the time there were very few resources to learn about the craft. That challenge was part of the appeal. I spent a lot of time and energy researching and experimenting with flavors and recipes. After years of military service, I found a city and neighborhood to plant my feet and finally take a leap of faith.
In October 2008, I opened Wisdom – DC’s first cocktail bar. It was an uphill battle on many fronts. I opened an upscale cocktail bar in an underdeveloped part of Pennsylvania Ave SE during a recession, with a culture that had little knowledge of cocktails, and in a city that I knew almost no one in. Some would call that foolish and others would call it brave; I suppose the truth is somewhere in the middle. Chasing this dream sparked passion and purpose, which stoked the fire of persistence. We always had to fight for our customers and could never take them for granted. That is probably what made the bar so special. (more…)