The Georgetown Metropolitan

In a sign that whatever impact the pandemic had of Georgetown may be receding, several new shops are planning on opening soon.

The first is UpWest, (yet another) casual women’s clothing store. It’s coming to 3110 M St. (the former Dawn Price baby store). As an aside, GM was interviewed the other day by someone writing an article about the rise of DTC (direct to consumer) brands in Georgetown. These are those brands that start out selling directly to customers, typically over the internet, as opposed to working through a department store or other general store (think like how Warby Parker sold directly to customer instead of working through Sunglass Hut or whatever). It’s a trend GM hadn’t really focused on before, but stores like UpWest fit squarely in that trend. Expect more of that in the future.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The P St. 7-11 is closing this week due to a corporate decision. The current shopkeeper has been running the store since 1986. The shop itself actually dates to 1964. It is arguably the last commercial remnant of the historically black Herring Hill neighborhood.
• GU is still experiencing the same Covid spike the rest of DC is experiencing but not really talking about.

The dream of a aerial gondola lives to see another day. That’s because Chairman Mendelson has restored a line item to the budget for the purchase of the former Key Bridge Exxon property, which would be the likely terminal point for the gondola.

Quick backstory: The Exxon property was sold in the early part of last decade. Several different developers, including Eastbanc, have sought approval to build an apartment building on the site (much to the consternation of some Prospect St. residents who would have their views of the Potomac slightly impacted). But nothing went forward. And in the meantime, the Georgetown BID began pursuing the idea of building an aerial gondola between Georgetown and the Rosslyn Metro station. A study commissioned by the BID decided that the Exxon site would be the best location for the Georgetown end of that trip. And last year Brooke Pinto successfully got money set aside in the budget to buy the property. The ostensible reason was to build electric car charging stations. But the potential gondola use was also contemplated. Moreover, if Georgetown ever gets a Metro station, this location would be a likely candidate for an entrance.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A persuasive argument that Washington Harbour is literally a boat.
• Plaques acknowledging Georgetown’s black history start going up.

A rare opportunity to live the canal lyfe just hit the market. 3065 Canal St. is now for sale for just a shade over $1 million.

Canal Street might be an unfamiliar street name to you. It’s the address that those handful of homes on the canal towpath use.

The property has been owned since 1993 by Arlette Coppock, who lives upstairs and uses the first floor for her hair salon, dubbed the Fourth Lock after the canal structure out front. No word on whether she plans on continuing her business elsewhere, but the new owner will be able to explore their own options. The building is zoned to continue this mixed use.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Someone is pulling the fire alarm at a GU dorm late at night.
• Potomac waters rising!

On May 19th, Breena Clarke will be speaking at the City Tavern. It should be a fascinating discussion. Clarke is a native Washingtonian who wrote, among other works, two books set against a backdrop of the historical black community in Georgetown. The first was River, Cross My Heart (which was an Oprah Book Club selection) and the second was Stand a Storm.

The talk will focus on how Clarke learned how she is related to the same family of enslaved former residents of the City Tavern that Yvette LaGonterie has researched. It is always so powerful to hear these personal family stories told and discussed within the walls of the building that once housed them.

Attendance is free, but registration is required. See you there!