The Georgetown Metropolitan

Tonight is the opening of the 2016 Georgetown Arts show put on annually by the Citizens Association of Georgetown. Once again it is going to be held in the beautiful House of Sweden on K St. The details are below. Come out and see how many talented artists live in Georgetown!

The talent of more than 30 Georgetown artists will be on view this year at House of Sweden for five days — Thursday, February 25 through Sunday, February 28. Last year was a record-setting year with over 800 people visiting the show. Sponsor House of Sweden has once again generously made their stunning rooms available for the event. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be several Artists Talks. So mark your calendar for February 25–28 to see your favorite local artists — and to discover new ones in the neighborhood!

RSVP required for Opening Reception February 25, 6-9pm

The opening reception will be Thursday evening, February 25, from 6 to 9pm. House of Sweden requires a list of attendees prior to the event. Please RSVP to CAGtownART@gmail.com by February 24th if you wish to attend the opening reception.

Photo by Ehpien.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The Black Georgetown Remembered event last night got a great crowd. Unfortunately GM couldn’t make it, so he’s hoping GU made a recording that they can share. He’ll let you know.
• The ABC Board heard arguments for the ending of the liquor license moratorium, which is expect to finally go away.

1600 block of Wisconsin Ave.

Reminder: Tonight at Georgetown University is the Black Georgetown Remembered event. It’s from 7:00 – 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm) at Gaston Hall on the campus.

Above is a documentary that was produced in 1991 in connection with the original publication of the Black Georgetown Remembered book. It’s a fantastic oral history.

Come on out tonight!

Photo by Mark Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Nice rundown on all the new Georgetown restaurants.
• Diane Rehm at the Q&A Cafe.

3200 block of Grace St.

Last November, GM wondered what’s wrong with the upper Georgetown commercial corridor. One reader suggested that the lack of new residential units in the Safeway development was one contributing factor. GM agrees. But why wasn’t a residential component considered?

The Safeway itself has obviously done well. Most people who used the old Social Safeway probably continue to use the new one. There are more grocery options across the city than there were 10 years ago, but for western Ward 2/lower Ward 3, the Georgetown Safeway is still a solid option.

But as GM documented, the retail market around the Safeway has struggled. Noodles closed after only a couple years. The Roosters barbershop tucked away in the poor location off Wisconsin Ave. barely lasted a year. The northernmost street level space under the Safeway briefly had a Verizon store before it sat vacant for years (it now promises perfect eyebrows to come). Other spaces in the older buildings between the Safeway and R St. have also been vacant for years.

More residents in the immediate proximity would be a boon to businesses along this stretch of Wisconsin Ave., including those in the Safeway properties (that’s the grocery store building itself, plus all the buildings down to the Jos. A Banks.)  Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• After contracting with Boston Outdoor Recreation to manage the old Jack’s Boathouse, NPS is now going with the spotty vendor many feared they wanted to use in the first place: Guest Services.
• Is a donut/muffin hybrid called a duffin or a muffnut?

1600 block of Wisconsin Ave.

The upper part of Georgetown along Wisconsin Ave. has struggled over the recent years. Vacancies persist, and multiple stores have failed (e.g. Roosters, Noodles), but how can perfect fail?

That’s right, “Perfect” eyebrows are now being promised underneath the Safeway. The perfect eyebrows are not here yet, but they’re coming soon. At least according to the sign. Continue reading →