Author Archives: Topher

About Topher

From 1820 to 1837, a newspaper called the Georgetown Metropolitan was published in the city of Georgetown, DC. The copy above is from July 12, 1826, reporting on the deaths of Presidents Jefferson and Adams on July 4th, exactly fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For a short while, it was published by John L. O’Sullivan and his brother-in-law Samuel Langtree. O’Sullivan faded into obscurity until the middle of the 20th century when the term “Manifest Destiny” was attributed to him. So what does this have to do with 2008? Well, not much. But, basically I’ve realized that the neighborhood of Georgetown lacks a neighborhood blog. I’ve decided to give it a try. I looked through Georgetown’s history for a worthy name to resurrect and the Georgetown Metropolitan sounded perfect to me. And so I have reestablished the Georgetown Metropolitan, 171 years since it last was printed. With luck, the Georgetown Metropolitan will serve as a valuable information source for Georgetown residents.

Fancy Liquor Store to Replace Covid Testing Site

A fancy new liquor store will soon be replacing the Covid testing site at 3237 M St. Depending on whether you’re a glass half-full person or a glass half-empty person, this is either a sign of optimism or one of grim resignation.

The new store will be a location for a small national chain called Spirits and Spice. The company was started in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and has five locations, mostly in the west and around Chicago. The theme of the store is that it offers a try-before-you-buy approach and sells specially blended non-name brand liquors. The experience appears to be similar to the olive oil stores you may have seen pop up everywhere over the last ten years (including in Georgetown). They even sell olive oil, actually. Here’s the spunky owner and Harry Potter her colleague showing off their Sedona, AZ store:

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The Morning Metropolitan

Photo by Jeff Vincent.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1500 block of 35th St.

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Ghosts of Markets Past

Today GM is picking up his series: Ghosts of Markets Past. The series (so far just a single previous entry) looks a homes tucked away in the neighborhood that were once part of the constellation of small markets that once dotted Georgetown. Today GM is taking a look at 3400 Reservoir Rd.

This property has long been the home of former Old Georgetown Board member Anne Lewis and her husband, the former ANC chair, Ron Lewis. But throughout much of the 20th century is was the location of a small grocery store. (You can normally spot such buildings around the neighborhood due to the fact the front door is at the corner of the building).

The grocery store was owned and run by Albert M. Hilleary:

Hilleary was a Georgetown native born in 1876. It appears from public records that he acquired the grocery store in the mid 1920s, as his name first appears in a city directory at that point.

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The Morning Metropolitan

Jan 3 2022 Winter Walk 9
Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

  • Remember, trash pick up slips a day due to the storm so don’t put out your trash or recycling tonight.
  • Georgetown had the largest jump in median home prices in the city last year.

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1500 block of Wisconsin Ave.

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Keep Your Lights Up!

Although the snowstorm will cause some delay, many people around Georgetown are ready to take down their Christmas trees and chuck all festive decorations to the curb or attic. But GM will make this annual plea: Please keep up your lights!

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The Morning Metropolitan

Jan 3 2022 Winter Walk 10
Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

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The Georgetown Metropolis

1700 block of 32nd St.

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SNOW

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