The Georgetown Metropolitan

Most people have a pretty clear idea of what Georgetown is, and what it was. But there are some weird things about Georgetown and its history that most people don’t know. Here they are ranked:

#5 – Take Me Home County Roads was written at 31st and Q:

In December 1970, John Denver was in the middle of a two week stint at the famous Cellar Door club (which now houses the Cappriotti’s sandwich shop). He was invited to a late night jam at the apartment of the club’s sound guy, Bill Danoff, at 31st and Q. Danoff and his girlfriend, Taffy Nivert, had a half-written song about driving about Maryland. Denver changed the lyrics to West Virginia and helped finish the song. He debuted it at the Cellar Door the next night and received the longest ovation in the club’s history.

Take Me Home, Country Roads, a song written by a Colorado-man about a state he never visited, while hanging out late night in Georgetown, DC.

#4 – During the Last Several Years of the 1800’s, Georgetown had a Cable Car

It’s true. From 1890-1899, the Washington and Georgetown Railroad ran a cable-car network through Georgetown. The Car Barn still has some remnants of that time on the Car Barn. In 1900 the company moved to electric power. Continue reading →

“After Georgetown Waterfront” – Smithsonian American Art Museum

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Inn coming to P St.
• The story behind the Cora apartment building that GM featured in yesterday’s photo.

1300 block of 33rd St.

The annual Citizens Association of Georgetown gala will be held on October 23rd at the Four Seasons. After many years at the Russian and Italian embassies, this is the first time in a while that the gala will be held back in Georgetown. And nobody puts on an event quite like the Four Seasons. So come on out!

Photo by Ehpien.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Sovereign set for late fall opening.
• Chez Billy Sud adding a wine bar next door called Bar a Vin.

3200 block of Volta Pl.

Hey, GM’s sorry about taking it off for two weeks, but he’s here to make it up to you! Behold, much dirt on stores coming to Georgetown:

Boulangerie Christophe: Coming to 1422 Wisconsin Ave. is a locally owned bakery called Boulangerie Christophe. GM has no additional information at this point, but the tip was confirmed by a Old Georgetown Board sign application. This is a long vacant building that partially collapsed several years ago. This could be something really great.

Ladurée: Coming to 3060 M St. is the elegant Ladurée. It’s a super fancy French bakery founded in 1862 that is famous for its macarons. It has many locations across Europe, but only a handful in America so far: two in New York and one in Miami. The one on Madison Ave. in New York often has a line out the front. GM is frankly surprised they’d be opening in Georgetown and not City Center. This is another location that has been vacant for a long time. It last hosted a Ritz Camera store. Continue reading →

Photo by DC Gardens.

Good morning! GM is finally back from his two-week vacation. Here’s the latest:

• The Cat Cafe is raising its prices and lowering its capacity.
• Washington-state coffee shop opening in the old Neyla space.
• GM’s got a special post of plenty of retail-related news coming up later today.

GM’s off to the beach for a couple weeks. As the old song goes, see you in September…

Photo by Michael VH.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Some details on the proposed hospital expansion.
• The Current is reporting that Eastbanc is considering tweaks to its proposed building at Pennsylvania and M. (No link, go find a hard copy around.)