The Georgetown Metropolitan

I’m happy to announce the new Bikeshare station I worked with DDOT to bring to Georgetown has been installed! It’s located at the north end of 33rd St. at Wisconsin Ave. Try it out and let me know what you think!

Separately, I will be off to Colorado for spring break next week, so apologies for the lack of posts. I’ll be back in April!

This week for Georgetown Time Machine, I’m dipping back into the DC Historical Society’s archives. Like last week, the photo was taken by Emil Press, this time in October 1977.

The photo shows the cluttered storefront window of Weaver and Sons hardware store. This store, which is the oldest continuous store in Georgetown, has been open since 1883. The building has gone through many changes though. It originally looked like this:

But a fire in 1963 lead to the current faux colonial design. (I wish they kept the wild Victorian design). Weaver’s continued as a traditional hardware store right up to the 90s.

But later the company shifted its focus to high end kitchen hardware and moved into a showroom on the second floor. Abercrombie and Fitch have long occupied the former storefront space.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The owner of Sequoia Restaurant weighs in on DC’s challenges.
• Ice Cream Jubilee now open.

A spring art walk is coming to Georgetown this Saturday. It will be between 12 pm and 5 pm and primarily focus on Book Hill galleries (although a couple spots below Q also feature).

Here is the description:

Join us for a celebration of spring, creativity and art at the Georgetown Spring Art Walk on March 23rd, 2024 from 12:00 PM -5:00 PM.

The event will feature ten local venues showcasing a diverse range of artwork, including paintings and mixed media pieces plus art workshops and more!

Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to meet and chat with the artists, learn about their inspirations and creative processes, and purchase unique pieces to add to your collection.

It should be a great day to celebrate the wonderful galleries that make Book Hill so special. Hope to see you there!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Bangkok Joe’s space to be taken over by the River Club.
• Afghania now open.

The cherry trees will hit peak bloom over the weekend. And there’s nothing quite like being surprised by a beautifully, fully blooming cherry on a walk or ride through the neighborhood. But some cherries are worth seeking out just to make sure you don’t miss them for the year! In my humble opinion, here are some of them. Add more in the comments!

31st and P:

The first cherry is seen above. It’s a huge weeping cherry (which tends to bloom slightly ahead of the rest). Set against the stately corner home, it’s a don’t miss!

32nd and P:

Just down the block is another beautiful weeping cherry. It’s not quite as large but is just as stunning.

Dumbarton Oaks

No conversation about cherries can forget Dumbarton Oaks; although few would need reminding. The grove on the north end of the property is perhaps the best in the region (again, in my humble opinion).

Montrose Park

I don’t have a photo of it, but there is lovely weeping cherry on the west side of Montrose Park. With so few flowering trees in the park, it really stands out.

Cashell Alley

I’m a bit biased on this one, but there is a gigantic cherry tree along Cashell Alley behind my house. It’s worth checking out, particularly as the petals fall and create a snowfall of flowers.

Where are some cherries that you will go out of your way to take in?

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• As part of a chain-wide closure, Outdoor Voice is kaput.
• The value of a good door. (If you want that incredibly mirror finish many are seeking these days, it’s actually quite expensive!)

This week for Georgetown Time Machine, I thought I’d share a photo bursting with the joy of spring. It comes from the DC Historical Society.

According to the attached record, the photo is from Emil Press from May 1967. The text accompanying it says “Georgetown balloon pedlar. His cry: make the children happy, make the ladies happy!”

He looks to be peddling his balloons at the corner of Wisconsin and N St. The Little Tavern burger shop (which, many tenants later, is Dig) sits behind him.

Nothing much more to say but to enjoy the happy scene!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Canal boat won’t return until 2026.
• Some crime updates from the area.

The DC District of Transportation has issued the draft recommendations coming out of the Circulation and Access Study it has been performing in Georgetown since last year. The recommendations are in the document below, but here are a couple highlights:

• They recommend a couple one-way street conversions. In Georgetown this includes making 28th St. northbound only between M and P and making 29th southbound for that same stretch. Notably, the recommendations do not include making N St. one-way, which has been the subject of a lot of debate over the years. The recommendations also do not include any changes to 30th and 31st, which were recommended for conversion way back in the 2008 Georgetown Transportation Study.
• The consultants found that the removal of the rush hour lanes on M and Wisconsin can be permanent. The strongest evidence in connection with this is the sharp drop in collisions since the introduction of the extended sidewalks/streateries in 2020.
• The draft recommendations suggest further looking into a Barnes Dance for M and Wisconsin. This is a term for an all-pedestrian phase in the light cycle. In other words, every few minutes the entire intersection will be closed to cars and pedestrians can cross any side (or walk diagonally). (This was also recommended in the 2008 study but was later rejected by DDOT.)

There’s a lot more in there, so please read it for yourself. There will be a public meeting to formally present the recommendations the first week of April (in person on April 2nd at 6:30 – 8:00 pm at St. John’s; virtual April 3rd at the same time). So please attend to have your say!