Not So Long Ago: Wisconsin and N

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This week on Not So Long Ago, GM is stopping by the northeast corner of Wisconsin and N St. Today it holds Paolo’s Restaurant, but in 1993 it held Stoupsy’s Cafe. Actually, Paolo’s was there too, but only occupied part of the space they have today.

Stoupsy’s Cafe was a greek restaurant. There is a Stoupsy’s restaurant in International Square downtown and one out at the White Flint mall. GM can only assume they’re related. GM’s not sure when Stoupsy’s closed or when Paolo’s took over the space. Anyone remember?

Prior to being Stoupsey’s, this space was a Little Tavern burger shop (an old and now-gone Baltimore-based chain). You can tell that it was once a Little Tavern since it has the distinctive architecture of the chain. It’s funny, because GM never realized that Paolo’s was once a Little Tavern, but as soon as he saw Stoupsy’s, with the old paint job, GM knew immediately that it must have been a Little Tavern. According to one account, the Little Tavern closed down in the late 80’s.

Georgetown is home to another old Little Tavern shop. Sweet Green on M St. is in it. The renovations done to that location kept a lot more of the Little Tavern features, probably because the color scheme works for Sweet Green. It’s great that where one old treasured regional chain once stood, another popular homegrown chain took root.

Finally, it’s interesting to see that the trompe-l’oeil on the wall next to Paolo’s is at least 18 years old. What a great addition it was, whenever it was that it was painted.

Here are the photos, in case you can’t view them above: