Scuttlebutt

Are You Sitting Down? I Hope You’re Sitting Down, Cause This is Some Seriously Sweet Scuttlebutt

By Prince Of Petworth

Of course, as with all scuttlebutt, the following is not 100% confirmed. This comes from a very trusted source and I’m going to standby my record of previous scuttlebutt that has turned out to be true. Ok, you ready?

The folks behind the highly successful restaurant/bar, Marvin, located on 14th Street just north of U, are planing to open up another spot. In Petworth!!! I wasn’t able to confirm the exact location but suffice it to say it will be near the metro (not in the Park Place building above the metro). But likely on Georgia Avenue.

Given that this is still in the scuttlebutt phase I don’t want to get too excited but I’ll say I’m super optimistic about the prospects. Now, I know some folks are going to say that it is too expensive. And believe me, I’m an aspiring full time blogger that will surely be eating a lot of ramen noodles when it opens but I still think this is a phenomenal addition to Petworth. If you told me a place like this would open up on Georgia Ave in Petworth 5 years ago, I would’ve looked at you like you were absolutely crazy. Now, it makes perfect sense to me. This is going to be a great sit down dining option and bar that will surely signal Georgia Ave’s return to greatness. Ok, great, now I’m crying. Tears of joy but still…

Update:  I can now say the location is 3815 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Interesting Scuttlebutt From A Commenter

By Prince Of Petworth

This comes from commenter “Insider”:

“It’s true Carvel is selling Mayorga coffee. However a newsstand owner has already finalized moving into that space when Carvel closes its doors in December. Now for fact 2, the owners of Cafe Asia (downtown) and Asian Bistro (silver spring) have linked up to occupy the former Mayorga space. Cafe Asia will run the sushi bar downstairs and Asian Bistro will serve the oriental cuisine upstairs. I am friends with the owner of Cafe Asia and he has confirmed that there will be no more nightclub activity. Now here is some bonus info. A well established Miami entertainment promoter (owns 8 clubs and lounges) will be taking over the Rumberos restaurant and turning it into a swank lounge. You heard it hear first.”

Too interesting not to post. Has anyone else heard any of these rumors?

Scuttlebutt of the Week

By Prince Of Petworth

Columbia Heights Coffee has recieved its first round of permits to expand its store on 11th Street. That’s the good news the bad news is that they still need another set of permits before demolition can begin. Still positive news.

By this time next year it is likely that Red Derby will have a roof deck. Unbelievably cool.

The building housing Looking Glass Lounge and the Yoga House upstairs has been sold for nearly $1.5 million. Both LGL and Yoga House have leases for the next two years so there is not likely to be any changes. However when the leases run out I am very fearful for the future. If that building was bought for nearly $1.5 mil then I’d have to assume that rents will sky rocket. In my opinion I don’t think this bodes well. My guess is we’ll be seeing more condos up top with, God willing, some type of retail in LGL’s space (and of course hopefully LGL will remain).

Scuttlebutt of the Week: Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

Lots of good scuttlebutt to report. Firstly, I have been tipped by a very reliable source that within three to six weeks there will be a major announcement by the DC USA complex in Columbia Heights. That announcement is – Elwood Thompson’s grocery store will in fact be opening up! Secondly, it is likely that the Ross Dress For Less Store will no longer be coming to DC USA. Thirdly, and I think New Columbia Heights heard this rumor as well, REI is still very seriously considering opening a store in the DC USA complex. Holy sweet that would be awesome. Now I think it will be helpful if they receive encouragement via email. So definitely comment here if you’d like to see an REI but also make sure to contact REI directly here.

I had some false info about the Five Guys Opening last week (scuttlebutt accuracy down to 96%).  But I am 99.9% sure they will be opening this Tuesday at 11am!

And sadly Colorado Kitchen has served its last dinner Sat. night and it’s last brunch on Sun.

But hey Elwood Thompson’s Grocery store is coming and with some luck so will REI!

Scuttlebutt of the Week

By Prince Of Petworth

Despite my 97% accuracy rate, scuttlebutt is exactly that. I can not guarantee the following is 100% truth. It is merely rumor, however, history has shown there is a strong possibility that the rumors will turn out to be true.

Rumor number one: The Temperance Hall building is on the market. That means the whole building that houses Looking Glass Lounge and Yoga House is for sale not the individual businesses. Those two business have secured multi-year leases so they will not be affected should the building sell. However, it will be interesting to see if there are any longer term implications when their leases run out in a number of years. I believe the building is going for $1.3 or $1.8 million. What do you think are the implications if a sale goes through for the long term?

Rumor number two: Colorado Kitchen is currently in negotiations on renewing their lease. Rumor has it the negotiations are not going that well. There could be a move by the end of the year if a deal is not reached. Has anyone up in North Country heard this rumor?

The Park Road Prognosticator Is Prolific – More Scuttlebutt from 11th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

The PRP tells me that this long vacant building behind Wonderland has finally been bought. He hears that the new owner is planning a green renovation which will include a commercial space on the ground floor and either a residence or more commercial space above. Very, very cool. I’m dying to know what the commercial space will be used for. Has anyone heard anything?

Some Scuttlebutt For Ya – Wine Bar Coming to 11th Street in Columbia Heights!

By Prince Of Petworth

Now remember all posts that have the word “scuttlebutt” in them must be taken with a grain of salt. However, a particularly good source has emerged who will be known as the Park Road Prognosticator (PRP). So PRP has tracked down a phenomenal scoop. Apparently 11th Street Deli has been sold. In and of itself that would be a sad thing. But for the fact that a number of sources are saying that the new owner plans on opening a wine bar and pastry shop! I’m telling you 11th Street keeps getting better and better! Has anyone else heard this rumor?

Some Good Scuttlebutt For Ya

By Prince Of Petworth

Some potentially good, some potentially not so good.

Disclaimer: The following is scuttlebutt, rumor, things I’ve heard. Take it with a grain of salt. Although I have a 95% success rate with these rumors turning out to be true, nevertheless there is always a possibility the following could fall in the 5% false category.

The last retail space in the strip of new retail on Irving Street will be… A Mocha Hut! So now Columbia Heights will officially be a coffee lover’s haven. You’ve got Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Mayorga, Columbia Heights Coffee and now Mocha Hut. So what do you think – a good addition?

Now for the not so good – I’m hearing that the new Yes! Organic Market that is coming to Georgia Ave. is facing some difficulties. What are the difficulties? Well, apparently there is a moratorium on liquor licenses and they may not be able to get one. This would be very bad for their business. And for us. So start whatever grassroots action you can to make sure that the Yes! Organic Market gets a liquor license. Of course I have no idea how that happens. So do you think the Yes! Organic Market should be allowed to have a liquor license?

REI Coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights?

By Prince Of Petworth

Holy canoli! I think this would be phenomenal. Of course I love hiking but still an REI would be fantastic, no? A reader writes:

“I recently came across news on the Columbia Heights News website that REI is considering a location at the new DCUSA in Columbia Heights. This would be a great addition as the outdoor coop is a solid company known for, besides quality outdoor gear, being an all around good and ethical company – the kind of retail neighbor that would be awesome for the neighborhood.

It would be helpful for those interested to be in touch with all the usual suspects when dealing with DCUA (Jim Graham and GridProperties – [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]), but particularly with REI.

In response to my email to Grip Properties in support of the REI, I was told the following:

Thanks for your e-mail. It would be most helpful if you and your friends and colleagues would contact REI directly. They are new to urban markets and need to hear directly from their potential customers.

After a few email exchanges with REI, I was informed that the best way to get in touch with them was through this link: http://www.rei.com/shared/help/feedback/servicefb.html – Surprisingly, they said they will forward any emails regarding the project to administrative offices associated with such things.

I think this would be a huge development for the community. The Columbia Heights News website mentioned they were in direct competition with Ross Dress For Less (you know, the store very similar to the Marshals already moving into DCUSA) – so either way its probably a good thing if community members made their preferences known.”

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