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Last month, WBJ reported that the Nike Store may be on the way out. And GM is hearing rumors that the Amazon Books store next door is also on the way out. These closures, if they come to pass, would add to several other large spaces that have also recently become vacant.

Nike took over the space at 30th and M in 2012. Previously the space was used for many years by Barnes and Nobles (offering one of the more popular third places in the neighborhood). Prior to the Barnes and Nobles, the building hosted the Cerberus 1-2-3 movie theater since 1970. Its unusual size and large windows owe to the fact it was originally built as a car dealership.

From the moment Nike moved in it felt like perhaps they bit off more than they could chew. The three vast floors felt empty, particularly to patrons who once roamed the Barnes and Noble’s bookshelves. And the fact that it appears that Nike is bowing out with years left on the lease would suggest they agree with that assessment.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Pray for the magnolias as this cold snap moves in.
• If you live near Montrose Park, you’re probably familiar with the decrepit home on Avon that has appeared vacant for decades (despite still being lived in). It just sold.

A rare 18th century home has come up for sale on 33rd St. Listed just under $4 million, 1524 33rd St. is being sold for the first time in over 50 years. And it comes with the history of being a tavern that Thomas Jefferson once stayed at. (But, as GM will get into below, there is some reason to doubt that history…)

The home was supposedly built in 1788 and it occupies a shockingly large plot:

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Bathtub with a view available.
• Robbery at Georgetown Opticians leads to car chase on the GW Parkway.

After two years of pandemic-driven closures, the spring traditions of Georgetown are returning this year. Check out the details below:

The Georgetown House Tour

First of the two grand dame tours, the Georgetown house tour will be held this year on April 23rd. It is held every year to benefit St. John’s Episcopal church. As the title states, this tour gives you a chance to walk through 8-10 of Georgetown’s nicest homes. The patrons party is always the place to hobnob with the nobbiest hobs.

The Georgetown Garden Tour

Of the two tours, the Garden Tour is probably GM’s favorite. Like the house tour, you get a chance to look behind the gates of 8 or so homes, but GM just thinks there’s something more interesting about gardens than interiors. This year the Garden Tour will occur on May 7th.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Liquor license settlement agreements begin to incorporate streateries.
• The walking/biking trail by the Kennedy Center is finally open again.

The gardens of Dumbarton Oaks are spectacular throughout the year. But during the spring, they are somehow even more beautiful. But the beauty comes in successive waves. Visit only once a season, and you might miss out. Or even if you do visit at a perfect moment, you might simply miss out on some corner of the gardens that are especially gorgeous that day.

GM spends every spring carefully timing his visits to the gardens to maximize the best parts. And its only fair that he share this knowledge with the public. So without further ado, here is a Users Guide to Dumbarton Oaks in the spring.

The guide is broken down by the particular attraction and when to visit to see it. Weather obviously can affect the timing a great deal. So if you are really eager to see one or more of the vernal shows below, it’s best to check it out on the early side and come back again if you’re too early.

Refer to this map on the gardens’ website for where to find the exact locations of the scenes below.

Plum Walk

One of the first displays of spring in the gardens is the Plum Walk. It’s a row of about a dozen plum trees that blossom with strikingly purple flowers. Like many of the items on this list, it is perfect for portraits, particularly of couples. When it’s in bloom, you often find newly engaged couples posing along the walk.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Men with guns tried to volunteer for the Ukrainian army at the embassy on M St.
• Great photos inside the soon to be open Fountain Inn.