The Georgetown Metropolitan

GM was at the Apple Store last week bringing his laptop in for repair. As the discussion about the fact that they don’t have the right part and GM would have to come back was wrapping up, GM gazed back at the light-filled rear of the store and casually mentioned that there were supposed to be trees back there.

There were, check it out:

It would have looked great. But they didn’t go through with it when they built the store for some reason. Oh well.

Anyway, back to the disappointing Genius Bar appointment. The titular Genius responded to GM that, yeah, he had heard that too. But then he blamed Georgetown residents for squashing the plans. He described them as “big fish, small pond”. Continue reading →

Photo by Ehpien.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The Lego Movie will be shown outdoors at Rose Park this Saturday night.
• Honestly, that’s all GM’s got in terms of news today….

3700 block of Water St.

The imminent closing of Appalachian Spring got GM wondering what are all the other long-long term businesses in Georgetown (let’s say, over 30 years). Here’s what he came up with (in no particular order), add more in the comments if GM missed one:

• Martin’s Tavern: It’s the oldest tavern in DC, having started pretty much the moment prohibition ended. Opened 1933.
• The Phoenix:A third generational family affair, the Phoenix was opened in 1955.
• Clyde’s: Inspired by a New Yorker cover that still hangs on its walls, Clyde’s was opened in 1963.
• Safeway: Originally opened as a Sanitary Grocery, the grocery store in Georgetown has been also under the name Piggly Wiggly.
• Bridge Street Books: Opened before Barnes and Noble and outlasted the behemoth. It’s been selling books in Georgetown since 1980.
• Blues Alley: The legendary jazz club has been around since 1965
• 1789/The Tombs: These two establishments have been feeding GU students (and their parents, in the case of 1789) since 1962.
• Mr. Smith’s: This is a close call, since Mr. Smith’s closed its original location on M St. a few years ago and simply took up residence at Chadwicks. But either way, it’s been open since 1962.
• The Lantern Bookshop: The used book store has been open since 1977, although GM is not sure if it’s always been in Georgetown.
• Georgetown Tobacco: This store has been selling cigars in Georgetown since 1964.
• Wedding Creations and Anthony’s Tuxedos: Owned and operated by ANC Commissioner Ed Solomon, this formalwear shop has been opened over 32 years.
• 7-11: The 7-11 on P St. by Rose Park has been opened at this location since 1964.
• The Christ Child Society Opportunity Shop: This secondhand store has been selling Georgetowners’ old jewelry for 60 years.
• Georgetown Floor Coverings: This is another family-owned business. It’s been in Georgetown since 1954.
• Potomac Wine and Spirits: It’s been in a couple different locations, but this liquor store has been open since 1969.
• Sara’s Market: This market has operated continuously since 1919 (although it operated originally as “Jenkins Market”)
• Scheele’s Market: Speaking of markets, this is by far the longest continually operated shop in Georgetown. It’s been open since 1894.
• Georgetown Wine and Spirits: This neighborhood-serving liquor store has been open since the 1930s.
• Morgan’s Pharmacy: Another neighborhood-serving relic, this store opened in 1913.
• Haagen Dazs: GM is not sure how long this ice cream shop has been open in Georgetown, but he does know Henry Rollins and Ian McKaye worked here in the early 80s, so it’s at least that old.
• Thomas Sweet: Another ice cream shop that’s been around since the early 1980s.
• J. Paul’s: This saloon has been slinging suds since 1983.
• Dixie Liquors: This liquor store has gone through a bunch of owners over the years, but it’s been open (on and off) since 1934.

Continue reading →

Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• What’s going on with the trolley bridge to the west of Georgetown.
• The owners of Ristorante Piccolo filed for bankruptcy.

3000 block of Canal St. (yes, that’s the actually address of those buildings along the towpath)

As GM reported back in March, the longtime craft retailer, Appalachian Spring, would close at the end of its lease. At the time there was some question as to when exactly the store would vacate. But now the store is announcing that it will open for the last time June 24th.

This is a sad loss for the neighborhood. Appalachian Spring has been here for almost fifty years. There are only a handful of stores or restaurants with a longer tenure. And given the nature of their departure (a dramatic hike in rent) it seems unlikely we’ll see the space occupied by any retailer half as interesting as Appalachian Spring.

So make sure to stop by before the end of June 25th to pick up one last gift and say goodbye.

Photo by Bill Starrells.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Get a discount on your water bills by disconnecting your downspout.
• Sequoia partially reopens.

Potomac River

This week for Now and a Long Time Ago, GM is back with another photo from the Wymer Maps. This one is of the Corcoran School on 28th but from M St. (Don’t get it confused with the Fillmore School on 35th, which was until a few years ago owned by the Corcoran Art School and was covered with large “Corcoran” signs. The school on 28th is actually named after Thomas Corcoran, a former mayor of Georgetown. It was his son, William Corcoran, who founded the Corcoran Art Gallery, which ran the art school until it sold it to Georgetown Washington University.)

It’s a view you can’t get anymore since the construction of the office building complex on the former playground/parking lot of the school. GM is not sure when that complex got built since it’s not in the master building database he uses, but it sure looks like it was built in the 1980s. Continue reading →