The Georgetown Metropolitan

Canal Towpath

New restaurant and retail openings in Georgetown have been few and far between over the past year, and understandably so. To open in such an uncertain environment would be excessively risky. Heck, just trying to keep a shop or restaurant open has been an exercise in boundless faith. But a handful of apparent openings on the horizon might suggest that some are anticipating the light at the end of the tunnel, which is only just now flickering into sight.

The first is Mason’s Lobster Roll, which is coming to the former Paul Bakery just south of the Banana Republic. This is a medium sized chain with locations up and down the east coast (including Dupont Circle). It looks to be offering about the same menu as Luke’s Lobsters. (Sidenote: walking by it appears that Luke’s has closed, but the company’s website lists the location as closed until further notice, so maybe they’ll reopen. Given that the “Luke” in Luke’s Lobsters is a GU grad, you might expect that they’ll try to keep it open.)

Next is a Ray Bans store coming to 3030 M St. This will mean there will be no fewer than 4 (four) sun/eye glasses stores in Georgetown (the other’s being Sunglass Hut, Warby Parker, and Mykita).

And finally, across the street from the future Ray Bans store a Mexican restaurant is promised. It will take over the former Miss Saigon restaurant.

It’s probably too early to say this represents the tide finally receding. But if in six month’s time we see this momentum continuing, it may be fair to point to these openings as the start.

Photo by Vincent.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• It’s unclear yet whether President Biden will regularly attend Holy Trinity for mass (where he did as VP).
• Clear those sidewalks if it’s messy this morning!

Georgetown Waterfront Park

Over the last week, a spectacle has emerged in front of 3614 Prospect St. Where once sat a couple nondescript boxwood bushes now stand two larger than life sculptures. Specifically, as you can see above, they are sculptures of Bumblebee and Optimus Prime from the Transformer movies.

It may be hard to gauge just from the photos how large these things are, so GM had his daughter pose with the Autobots:

Continue reading →

Photo by Vincent.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• President Biden attended mass at Holy Trinity and stopped by Call Your Mother for bagels on the way back to the White House. Somewhere JFK is probably smiling.
• The BID’s bid to help M St. restaurants with expanded sidewalks.

3000 block of M St.

In order to prevent cars from even trying to enter the protected (and unfortunately named) “Green Zone” downtown between now and the inauguration tomorrow, the Secret Service has ordered the closure of Roosevelt, Memorial, and the 14th St. bridges. These closures are in effect as of this morning. Key Bridge is not closed, but for the sake of everyone, including you, please don’t try to use it!

The immediate issue is, of course, the fact that all the people who would try to drive across those other closed bridges would quickly overwhelm Key Bridge. (Granted, there shouldn’t be anyone driving their car downtown anyway, but surely many will stupidly try!) Continue reading →

Photo by Vincent.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• 1789 restaurant flying a Delaware flag (presumably) in honor of Joe Biden.
• Martin’s Tavern deservedly wins financial support from Barstool Fund.

Georgetown Waterfront