3000 block of R St.
Monthly Archives: July 2009
Last Call at a Georgetown Landmark: The Story of Nathans’ Closure
Next Monday, Nathans will be no more. That much has been reported here and other places. But GM spoke with owner Carol Joynt today to get a little more background on how she arrived at this decision. To do the story any justice, we’ve got to go back to the beginning.
The Past
Nathans Restaurant came to be 40 years ago when a bookie calling himself Nathan Detroit got himself a lease from the Heon family for the space. (It had been a diner before that). Nathan roped in Charlie Matheson, a member of the Virginia horsey set, and Howard Joynt. As Carol told it, Howard was able to buy in with money he got from his dad. Essentially Nathans was a gift from father to son.
Soon after they opened, Nathan Detroit ran up a large gambling debt and wanted out. Howard’s dad gave Howard the money buy Nathan out. Soon after that Charlie’s wife wanted him out of the business as well. Howard’s dad gave Howard the money to buy out Charlie as well. That’s how Howard ended up the sole owner. Continue reading
Filed under Life in the Village
The Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Eat a steak with Charles Mann this Thursday at Mortons.
- ESPN not impressed with GU-‘Cuse rivaly.
- Don’t forget: Farmers market in Rose Park today.
Photo of Blues Alley by Flickr user TADA, It’s Lindsey used under a Creative Commons License.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
How to Use Nextbus
At the top of the Georgetown Metropolitan has been a link to a page explaining how to use the test site for Nextbus. Once WMATA discovered that people were using the test site without their permission, they shut it down. Thus the instructions on GM’s page have been futile. But since July 1, Nextbus has been officially rolled out. Here is how to use it:
Step One:
Go to either WMATA’s page or Nextbus’ page. (GM will explain the benefits and drawbacks to each below)
Step Two:
Select your route.
Step Three:
Select your stop.
Step Three-and-a-half:
If you used Nextbus’ website, you need to select a destination. Select “Show predictions for all vehicles”.
If you’re using the WMATA site, just skip the destination choice.
Step Four:
Find out what your wait is. You should bookmark this page in order to skip ahead next time you need it, particularly if you have smartphone (GM has his most frequent bus stops bookmarked in his blackberry).
WMATA Platform vs. Nextbus Platform Continue reading
The Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the depressing latest:
- As reported here, Carol Joynt is closing Nathans this Sunday. Coverage here, here, here, and here.
- Depressed yet? How about remembering that it was ten years ago today that three people were murdered at the Starbucks across from Social Safeway?
- NBC4 is doing one of those Georgetown vs. Dupont survey things again, pitting Sweet Green vs. Tangy Sweet. And Georgetown is losing. Again.
Photo of the soon to be dearly departed Nathans by Flickr user M.V. Jantzen used under Creative Commons License.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
Breaking News: Nathans to Close this Sunday
Carol Joynt just sent out the email many of us have been dreading for years: Nathans is closing for good. Last call will be this Sunday. GM believes he speaks for the neighborhood when he says that this will be a terrible loss for Georgetown.
Filed under Breaking News
District to Surplus Large Property in Georgetown
GM touched on this briefly last week, but it deserves a little closer look. The District has decided to rid itself of the large property at 3050 R St. (pictured). This could portend a big change for the neighborhood so GM will keep a close eye on it.
The history of the property and the District’s RFP after the jump: Continue reading
Filed under Real Estate
Morning Metropolitan
Good morning Georgetown. Hope you had a great Fourth. Here’s the abbreviated latest (GM had to travel and didn’t have time for a full round-up)
- DCist reviews GU-resident Rorschach Theater’s production of Brainpeople.
- Washington Times finds bargains in Georgetown.
Photo of the fireworks from the Georgetown Waterfront by Flickr user DC Digital Photography used under a Creative Commons License.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
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