The Georgetown Metropolitan

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Some new renderings for the Stephan Starr forthcoming Italian concept.
• Big commercial to mixed use conversion proposed in lower Georgetown.

Elizabeth Miller, Chair of the ANC, announced last week that she is stepping down from the Commission effective this Friday. She cited the fact that a relatively sudden house sale meant she and her family had to find a place to live and the house they settled on is outside SMD 07. The city is fairly strict about residency requirements (unlike Congress), so the move necessitated the resignation from the Commission.

Elizabeth has served on the Commission since 2019, a fact I had to double-check because it is genuinely hard for me to believe that she hasn’t been on the ANC longer. I’ve had to unique pleasure to observe her work on the Commission as both an outside observer and a fellow colleague. She has been a forceful and energetic advocate for causes important for the community, none more impactful than her passionate fight for improvements at Jelleff Recreation Center. And beyond her explicit work as a Commissioner, she excels as building community through efforts like Takeout Tuesday, Christmas caroling and the Georgetown community cookbook.

Perhaps having me as a colleague is another reason she’s stepping down; a few months of me can do that sometimes. But for my part I am genuinely gutted to lose her from the ANC. It’s such a benefit to have a colleague who speaks so clearly and directly about where she stands. Having her on your side of an issue is like holding a straight flush. But disagreeing with her is a blessing itself. You’ll know straight away where the disconnect is. And either you can work towards resolving it or you can simply agree to disagree. In either event, the page is turned and the next challenge met in good faith and cheer.

Losing her from the Commission is a blow, but luckily for all of us she’s not going far and will continue to be an invaluable member of the community, in whatever capacity she undertakes.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Great new renderings for the inside of Stephen Starr’s future Italian restaurant in the old Dean and Deluca.
• Progress on the new mid-block crossing for the 3200 block of M St.

Signage is up at 3211 O St. announcing the imminent arrival of a new chocolate shop: Arcay Chocolates. The shop started out of Union Market. This is its story, according to its website:

Arcay Chocolates is a family-owned chocolate business in Washington D.C. We started making chocolates in our native country Venezuela in a small corner of our home’s kitchen in 2006. Our master chocolatier, Anabella Arcay, quickly grew the business and gained international notoriety after receiving 42 medals at the International Chocolate Awards. In 2017, we uprooted our company to the United States with the dream of sharing our mouthwatering creations with the rest of the world. As Hispanic entrepreneurs, it’s our pride and joy to represent Venezuela through our confections. 

No word on when exactly they’ll open. The location was previously home to the cat cafe Crumbs and Whiskers, which was always a treat to pass for my daughter on the way to nursery school. She’ll probably like this spot too.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Black bear found on Roosevelt Island! Repeat: Black bear found on Roosevelt Island!
• Juneteenth at Mt. Zion Cemetery.

This week for Georgetown Time Machine, I’m still deep into the pile of 1993 photos. This one is of 1254 Wisconsin. Nowadays it’s the Veronica Beard shop. But 30 years ago it was the Georgetown location of Kemp Mill Music.

Anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s in the DC area probably has fond memories of buys records, tapes and cds from various Kemp Mill stores. As the Post wrote when the last store closed in 2017:

Instead of chasing a hipster trend, Kemp Mill, founded in the early 1970s, offered something else: community, particularly for the region’s R&B, gospel and go-go fans. A business that once had 275 employees and $30 million in annual sales, with outlets from Dupont Circle to Springfield Mall, also consigned records by local artists and hosted in-store performances.

I’m not sure when the Georgetown location closed. I’m fairly sure it was gone by the time I moved here in 2003. Anyone remember its departure?

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The complicated and indelible link between Catholicism, Georgetown University and slavery.
• The last black Waters in Georgetown.

It’s that time again, I’m providing (and slightly updating) my annual Intern’s Guide to Georgetown:

As year-round Washingtonians know, it’s that time of year again. Eager young interns will soon arrive in earnest droves to fill those couple inches on their resumes between their GPAs and their “other interests”. Many of these interns will be drawn to live and/or play in Georgetown. I publish the below crash course for interns each year:

To Live:

There’s a movement to pay interns more, in order to allow a wider swath of the population to participate in career enhancing experiences. But that said, if you’re an intern you’re still probably living on little to no pay. Can you afford to live in Georgetown? Maybe. But you’ll have to look hard. You’re young, so you probably can’t even remember a time before Craigslist, so no need mention that. But there are other places to look too. The City Paper still has decent listings, but for the short term rentals that you’re probably looking for you may try off campus housing listings like you’ll find here. I’ve also heard good things about Facebook Marketplace. Good luck.

To Eat:

The Safeway should be on your weekly checklist. You can load up on groceries without going totally broke. For some variety, go to the newly re-opened Whole Foods in Glover Park, or the Trader Joe’s just up the block from the Safeway. Or you could sign up for Carsharing and head out to Costco at Pentagon City to really make your dollar go far.

Restaurants in Georgetown get a bad wrap. But there are plenty of relatively cheap options for a weekly night out. Here are some of GM’s old reliable options:

• Mexican – Los Cuates
• Falafel – Falafel, Inc.
• Pizza – Pizzeria Paradiso
• Spanish – Bodega

When your parents come to visit and are paying the bill, make a reservation at Chez Billy Sud or, if you’re a traditionalist, 1789.

To Work:

There are over twelve bus lines that go through Georgetown. They all come pretty frequently, particularly during rush hour. The main crosstown corridors are Q St. to Dupont and M St. to Foggy Bottom. Get yourself a Smartrip Card and put on about $70 month and you’ll be set.

Georgetown also has nine different Capital Bikeshare stations around the neighborhood. Of course there are now dockless bikeshare and e-scooter options too. (The best way to browse them all is to install the Transit app.) The best thing about bikeshare is that unlike riding your own bike, you don’t have to worry about getting the bike home at night. You can ride to work in the morning, then go out drinking as interns are wont to do and you can walk or take a cab home.

To Play:

GM doubts you need much advice from some barely-still-a-30– sadly 40-something where to find intern-friendly bars. You’ll find them. The only advice GM has on that account is to branch out from Georgetown. Although nowadays even that is advice that 20-somethings hardly need to hear from some middle aged guy. That said, if you are looking for tips for places beyond Georgetown, the obvious locations are 14th St. (I recommend Bar Pilar, Churchkey, and Etto), Shaw (Dacha is a fun beer garden, but really crowded, I also recommend the Passenger, and Right Proper), and H St. (hit the Pug). Finally, check out the new Wharf development, especially the Anthem.

Beyond booze, there’s plenty of fun stuff to do in Georgetown. Check out these ideas:

Rent a Boat – The Key Bridge Boat House on K St. below Key Bridge will rent you a canoe or kayak for a cheap price. Grab a picnic and head over to Roosevelt Island for lunch sometime. Thompsons Boat House is another option. They offer rowing shells on top of kayaks and canoes. If you’re experienced, they’ll let you rent them. If you want to learn, they offer week-long classes after which you’ll be certified to row. But you need to be an early riser!

Play Some Sports – There are tennis courts all over Georgetown. Try Volta Park (34th and Q), Rose Park (27th and O), or Montrose Park (Avon Pl. and R). The newly renovated Montrose Park courts are definitely the nicest, but the Rose Park courts are also in great shape, but both of them can get crowded. The Volta courts are less crowded but not nearly as nice. Beyond tennis, Volta Park and Rose Park both have basketball courts and small ballfields. Finally, go to Volta Park or Jelleff to cool off in the pool.

Hang out – The Georgetown Waterfront Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. Bring a book and a Frisbee and spend a few hours here. Also, make sure to stop by Dumbarton Oaks at least once this summer.

To Read:

Of course you should read the Georgetown Metropolitan for all your Georgetown news. But since you probably don’t know what an ANC is, you may want to branch out to the links on the right for other Georgetown and DC blogs. DCist is a must!

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Video interview with the Transformers guy.
• Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto announces reelection campaign.

In my recent monthly ANC update, I solicited my constituents’ opinions on the streateries in Georgetown. And the responses have been fantastic (feel free to keep them coming at 2e02@anc.dc.gov!). I’ve got lots of thoughtful (and passionate) messages on the topic, which will definitely guide me going forward.

But it’s also good to get pure data. And for that the BID has created a survey for residents, visitors and business-owner/worker to take on the topic. So even if you’ve commented to me, please take a few minutes and complete the applicable survey below! It will definitely influence what steps are taken next.

·        Visitor and resident survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBIDStreateryVisitor

·        Business survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBIDStreateryBusiness