1132 19th Street, NW
Famous Luigi’s ‘Best Pizza in Town’ stained glass is gone. Bonfire coming:
end of an era
1506 U Street, NW
Ed. Note: I know some people joke about CakeLove today – but for those who weren’t around – when CakeLove first opened on U Street back in the day they were the absolute shit – they were the bomb – they were the bees knees. If you got someone CakeLove for their birthday – you were a hero. They were also the ones who started the cupcake revolution in DC. Like I said, we joke about it now (hell I joke about it often) but CakeLove did an awful lot to turn around this section of U Street back when there weren’t tons of reasons to visit U Street unlike today. So props to the CakeLove team – we kid – but I have nothing but respect for what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve done for the resurgence of U Street and the District.
In January 2012 Love Cafe closed across the street and is now Mediterranean Spot.
From a press release:
“CakeLove, a DC-based cake bakery founded in 2002, is launching a new online store this month in response to significantly increased demand for its premium grab-and-go dessert, CakeLove in a Jar. To facilitate CakeLove’s growth and expansion, the company is shuttering its long-time U Street location.
To mark the start of this great new chapter, CakeLove is hosting a party on Saturday, Dec. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. to celebrate its 13+ years at 1506 U Street NW with neighbors, friends, fans and supporters.
The launch party will include a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the official launch of a new CakeLove, free giveaways of CakeLove’s new product, CakeLove in a Jar, and a raffle of several autographed cookbooks by CakeLove’s founder, Warren Brown. (more…)
3000 Connecticut Ave, NW right across the street from the Zoo
A reader reports:
“I’m a long-time regular of Zoo Bar in Woodley Park in DC. I heard from someone who works there that it’s closing (at least for now as Zoo Bar). Apparently, someone (don’t know who) bought it. Of course, as you know, Steve McKinney passed away in August. His daughter Lindsay was running the bar.”
On the Cleveland Park listserv another resident wrote:
“The Zoo Bar, a longtime local cafe, and music venue, at 3000 Connecticut, has shut its doors for good last Saturday. According to the information I have been given, the place has been sold and the new owners have not decided when, or if, they will re-open. This is a real loss for the neighborhood and for the Blues community.”
Updates when more info is known.
1528 U Street, NW
We knew Millennium Decorative Arts was closing at the end of the year – guess it happened a bit earlier:
We appreciate PoPville giving us the opportunity to post the following excerpts from an interview with Millennium Decorative Arts’ owner Glynn Romero. The interview was in final production for publication when we learned the news that Millennium will be closing its doors for good at the end of the year – after more than 20 years of operation on U St. This news comes on the heels of the closure of two other similar stores in the area – Mara Home of 14th and U, and Simon Vintage of Shaw. We believe these events demonstrate the impact our rapidly changing and developing city is having on the retail landscape and neighborhoods of DC. Please keep local, independent businesses in mind the next time you shop for furniture, clothing and more. While national retailers and big box stores also contribute greatly to our city, it is the stores that you don’t find anywhere else that we believe give our neighborhoods their true and most valuable character.
How long has Millennium Decorative Arts been in business?
Millennium opened in September of 1992. It was a multi-dealer store when it first opened (like an antique mall) where people rented spaces to sell only mid-century furniture and accessories. The original owners were Tom Mallan and his wife Trish. I bought it from a second pair of owners in 1998. It was originally two floors with a spiral staircase connecting the floors. I reduced the size to one floor in 2005, which it has remained, since then. (more…)
14th and K Street, NW
EaterDC reports the “restaurant’s last day of business will be New Year’s Eve”:
“It’s been a long road for D.C. Coast, which opened back in June of 1998. At the time, K Street was a very different place. “At nine o’clock, it would be prostitutes everywhere; they just came out of the woodwork,” he said. He remembers a time when partner Gus DeMillo chased a group of working ladies down the street, brandishing a giant pepper mill.”
They also note the return of TenPenh (the old space is now the recently opened Tadich Grill) to the hinterland:
“The company will bring back its pan-Asian restaurant, which closed in 2011, in a new format, this time in Tysons Corner.”
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You will be missed Stetsons, you will be missed. Some history on the building at 1610 U St, NW here. RIP
417 E Capitol Street, SE
In happier news – Riverby Books is back!
“We’ll reopen on Saturday Oct. 31 at 10am (both for book buyers and trick-or-treaters). But if you happen to wander by before then, please feel free to stop in!”
920 H Street, NE
A reader reports:
“I was in Park’s Hardware on H St. NE on Saturday, and the owner said that they’re planning to close at the end of November. I know you had something back in August about the building being up for sale – presumably this means they have found a buyer. She blamed declining business on the Home Depot a couple of miles away (although the Home Depot has been there since ’02). I didn’t ask what was going to be coming in to the space after they close. I’ll miss having a hardware store in walking distance, as well as their cool sign.”
3314 11th St, NW
A reader reports:
“Every few years, readers would write you and ask “where is that great smell coming from on 11th and Lamont Street in Columbia Heights?” The answer of course was El Latino Bakery.
It saddens me to report that El Latino Bakery is no more. My source from the block said that rent was raised and so they decided it was a good time to move to a bigger space in Maryland. They even had to cut the bars and wall in the front to move the ovens out.”
This is incredibly sad, and inevitable news… It follows news of the closing of Arthur’s across the street. I look forward to learning who will take over the space and I believe there is a strong likelihood it will be something cool – but now is time to grieve. RIP that sweet, sweet smell.