1331 L Street, NW
Matt Friedman reports yesterday:
“Pizza Autentica on L Street is closed. I saw them taking the sign down yesterday.”
Pizza Autentica opened up on L Street back in 2009.
Streets of Washington, written by John DeFerrari, covers some of DC’s most interesting buildings and history. John is the author of Historic Restaurants of Washington, D.C.: Capital Eats, published by the History Press, Inc. and also the author of Lost Washington DC.
At first glance, this circa 1880 view of E Street NW between 13th and 14th Streets seems like any other old-time street scene. A jumble of 19th century storefronts crowd a busy street. Yet in the decades after the Civil War, this block, affectionately known as “Rum Row” for its many saloons, was one of Washington’s liveliest and most notorious. Possibly a dozen or more pedestrians can be seen as “ghosts,” grouped in pairs or lounging in doorways, reduced to fleeting blurs by the photograph’s slow exposure time. Though still going strong at the time of this photo, the decadent culture of Rum Row would eventually be stamped out by righteous city officials in the name of progress–just as the infamous “Strip” on nearby 14th Street would similarly be eradicated 100 years later.
Author’s collection.
Originally a line of federal town houses, Rum Row changed character dramatically during the Civil War, when soldiers swarmed the streets of Washington looking for cheap entertainment. The row’s previously respectable homes and commercial establishments were gradually replaced with saloons and gambling joints, which remained for decades to come. The row’s central location made it the rendezvous for all elements of society. “On the row a man met and mingled with the elite, the bon-ton, the busy man-about-town, the Bohemian, the poet laureate, the soldier of fortune, and everything but the bootlegger, a type that at that date had not come into existence,” wrote The Washington Post in 1921. Read More
“Dear PoPville,
My husband was biking to a conference yesterday (June 26) at 14th and F NW when he was almost run off the road by a Caucasian guy driving a white truck with a billboard that read “God speaks through the Donald’s Tweets”. The guy yelled a racial epithet at my husband and then made a fist at him. To try to avoid getting hit by the truck, my husband biked away quickly so he didn’t catch the license plate number. Read More
via WMATA
From WMATA:
“Ever want a Metro-branded gift, t-shirt or souvenir with the iconic Metro map? You’ll now be able to take home the iconic Metro brand at M Shop, Metro’s brand new pop-up retail store conveniently located at Metro Center Station.
Metro will celebrate the grand opening of M Shop tomorrow (Wednesday, March 7, 2018) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The store is located inside Metro Center near the entrance at 12th and F streets.
M Shop will have something for just about everyone including Read More
Back in September we learned that Maison Kayser was coming to 7th and Mass Ave, NW. Looks like another one is coming to F Street too – across from the National Press building between 13th and 14th. My people familiar with Maison Kayser tell me that this is very good news indeed.
Check out some of their menus here. Stay tuned for opening dates.
Thanks to a reader for passing on this maddening report from Fox 5:
“I think there were about ten kids who were just all attacking us,” said the girlfriend.
It was 9:30 p.m. Saturday night on January 2. The couple was waiting for a train at the Metro Center stop after spending a night at the movies. They were sitting on a bench when he was sucker-punched from behind and suffered a loss of vision.
Nothing was stolen by this group of teens.”
1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Another big end of the year closing – first DC Coast and now Chef Geoff’s is also closing December 31st according to Eater DC:
“December 31 will be the last night of business for Chef Geoff’s downtown location.”
via google maps
Lots of folks have been writing in inquiring about the body found at 13th and G St, NW this morning around 8:30am. Sadly, it appears this was a suicide.
Ed. Note: From the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.
A reader reports:
“it looks like a Panera Cafe is coming to the SE corner of 12/G NW right above Metro Center and next door to the Dunkin Donuts. The pallets seen in the photo are all labeled “Panera Cafe.”
14th and G St, NW
Finally some movement at the beautiful former National Bank of Washington building – no longer plans for an Armenian Genocide Museum – next up retail. Washington Business Journal reported (thanks to all who sent links):
“The marketing materials for the space identify a number of possible layouts, including a potential restaurant space with nearly 3,500 square feet split on three levels as well as a nearly 16,000-square-foot “flagship retail” space.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of America, which went through an ugly legal battle with the property owner for the past several years, is no longer pursuing a museum at the site”
Pre-demo: RIP Clement’s, Grafix Tattoos and Italian Kitchen:
