A new restaurant appears set to replace the short-lived Sticx restaurant at 1728 Wisconsin Ave. According to an Old Georgetown Board application, the restaurant will be called Han Palace. It will be the third location for the Chinese restaurant. The website indicates it will have a soft open on Feb. 24th.
No word yet on whether they will use the upstairs wine-bar space. Sticx–which had the bad timing of opening right before Covid–had amusingly called this upstairs space Stonz (get it? sticks and stones?). It’s also unclear–with Shanghai Lounge so close–if there’s demand for two Chinese restaurants literally feet from one another. Time will tell.
In either event, it’s great to see this space come back to life after being vacant for so long. Before Sticx opened in 2020, the building had been empty since 2015 when P.O. Boxes Etc. moved out. Lets hope this unlucky run has come to an end.
ABCA has released the list of applicants seeking a medical marijuana retailer’s license. This initial group includes stores that were previously operating under I-71 (i.e. the “gifting” stores), which were given first dibs for the new licenses.
There are eight establishments seeking a license to be located in Georgetown. That list includes (the third column is the proposed location and the fourth column is the previous location the store operated in, if any):
Being on this list merely means an application was submitted. It is not an indication that ABCA has cleared the applicant for placarding. So far only two have reached that point (UpnSmoke and Georgetown Supply). They are both in the process of hammering out a settlement agreement with the ANC.
Not all of the remaining applicants will be able to get a license, at least for the locations identified in the application. 1432 Wisconsin Ave. (“Delorean”) is too close to Hyde-Addison to receive a license. 1263 Wisconsin (both “DC Capital Connect” and “Funky Pharmacy” identified this location) is too close to where Georgetown Supply is set to occupy. So those two applications should be rejected. 1671 Wisconsin Ave. (“Fat Munchiez”) is too close to 1620 Wisconsin Ave. (“Luxury Soil”). Since Luxury Soil put in its application first, it will get priority and will block Fat Munchiez.
So, at least initially, there will only be three applications that can move forward. More applicants may arise later, but it appears that we will have substantially fewer pot shops than we have now.
Of course that reduction depends on the city shutting down the I-71 shops that did not apply for a retailer’s license. Recent legislation from the council clarified that ABCA has that authority. As ANC commissioner, I will be encouraging that they use it poste haste.
This is the time of year when parents of young children looking to make plans for next fall start applying to nursery schools. And with that in mind, please consider my heartfelt recommendation: the Children’s House of Washington.
The Children’s House of Washington (or C.H.O.W.) is a Montessori school located in the Dumbarton Methodist Church right here in Georgetown. It doesn’t get quite the same attention as some of the other nursery schools around Georgetown, but my daughter had three wonderful years there, and I can say with confidence that it was absolutely one of the best decisions my wife and I have made for her.
Teaching children 2-6, the school follows the Montessori method, which may be unusual for some people. In Montessori, students pursue their education at their own pace, working on their skills via a variety of “work” activities in which they have been trained. It would seem that it should be chaotic, but well run Montessori classrooms hum with productive activity as the teachers move from group-to-group ensuring that they are on track with whatever task they’ve chosen. And C.H.O.W. is one of those productive Montessoris.
The school attracts a great mix of families. Most are from the Georgetown neighborhood, or a neighborhood close by. Many are international families, here either permanently or for a few years. Most of my daughter’s friends from C.H.O.W. speak (at least) two languages. And regardless of whether they are international or not, the families were all incredibly lovely.
I can also speak from experience that the Montessori method works. My daughter moved on to Kindergarten already reading and comfortable with math and other important areas. And she has continued to thrive ever since. The arts program is also superlative and instilled a creative drive in GM’s daughter that has lead to a house full of projects too precious to throw away.
It is a wonderful, small, and affordable school right here in the heart of Georgetown. If you are looking for a preschool (either for now or next year) I highly recommend you check out C.H.O.W. Drop me a line if you want to learn more!
Longtime ANC2E Executive Director Peter Sacco is stepping down from this role to take up an exciting position in the DC government. He will be greatly missed by the ANC and the community. And not just here in Georgetown. Peter was executive director of ANCs in Dupont and Foggy Bottom as well.
Peter is leaving big shoes to fill, and maybe your feet can fit! ANC2E is currently hiring Peter’s replacement. This is a great job for a civically minded resident looking for a part time job. We are also open to exploring a similar arrangement that Peter had with the other ANCs. Please reach out to me at 2e02@anc.dc.gov if you have any questions or are interested!
Sherwin Williams will be covering the earth with paint from a little further up Wisconsin Ave. The store is leaving its longtime location at 1805 Wisconsin Ave. and moving up to Glover Park.
I have not confirmed, but I believe this departure is in connection with the approved construction of a new apartment building on that corner:
This building will occupy the Sherwin Williams space as well as the former Next Day Blinds and the parking lot. The project was supposed to begin construction back in 2022, with delivery by this year. But it clearly was delayed. I hope that Sherwin Williams moving is a sign it is finally moving forward.
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
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