1500 block of 31st St.
Two Long “Closing” Stores Appear to Be Finally Actually Closing
Georgetown has a bunch of stores that appear to be perpetually closing down. Having fake store closing sales is a time honored low-level scam. But it appears to be a near art-form for some stores in Georgetown.
Well over the last couple days, GM has noticed that two stores that have long promised their closings appear to be actually closing. The first is Riccardi at M and Wisconsin. For at least a year the store has feature two large banners announcing the impending closing of the store. Hell, the store even bought a brand new awning after the store closing signs went up. But now have a sign up stating that there are only a few weeks left till they truly close. It appears that the closure is timed to the year end.
Filed under Uncategorized
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Randomduck.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- The chairman of the Bank or Georgetown died. He was only 49.
- Former Clyde’s controller sentenced to two years in jail for embezzling from the company.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
Vote on the Best Storefront
For all its quaintness, Georgetown is only ok when it comes to holiday decorations, particularly with the retail stores. True, most stores try to dress up a little, but it could be so much better with a bit more effort.
And the BID is trying to kick start that effort. Right now they’re running a contest for 15 stores to compete for the best holiday decoration. Apparently the contestants are limited to using only four pieces of material, which has lead to such entrants as a dress made of macaroons.
You’re supposed to vote by going to the BID’s Facebook page and “liking” the best window, but when GM checked last night there wasn’t anything on the Facebook page about the contest. So maybe they’re still working out the kinks. Continue reading
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Brownpau.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- More yoga coming to Georgetown next year.
- It seems pretty obvious to GM that Albrecht Muth is a fabulist, not delusional. It appears the doctors at St. E’s feel that way now too.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
Now and a Long Time Ago: Wisconsin and Dumbarton
Today on Now and a Long Time Ago, GM stops by one of the more unusual buildings on Wisconsin Ave.: 1335 Wisconsin Ave., or what many still think of as Au Pied de Cochon.
According to the Historical American Building Survey, this structure was constructed around 1890. Interestingly, the survey came to this conclusion based upon a 1960 interview with George Scheele from the Georgetowner. Scheele stated that he believed that the first business to occupy the new building was Robert Weaver who ran a meat market.
From then until 1928, the building hosted a series of grocers. After remaining vacant through 1929, Payne’s Millinery opened. It only lasted three years though. By 1934, the space was a restaurant, and has remained as such ever since.
From 1939 till 1954, the restaurant on this spot was called Connor’s Grill. By the time of the photo above, however, Le Hi Grill had moved in.
In 1976, Pied de Cochon moved in. Ghosts of DC ran a nice history of this historic restaurant last winter, including how it hosting the famous “un-defection” of Vitaly Yurchencko in 1985.
Pied de Cochon sadly closed its doors forever in 2004. Despite the unfortunate current tenant, Five Guys, much of the character of the building is in tact. Hopefully someday Five Guys will shuffle off and a better option will move in.
Finally, GM would like to point out the stark difference in tree cover on Dumbarton. In 1966 there was a tall line of trees. Now there’s hardly anything.
Filed under Uncategorized
The Morning Metropolitan
Photo by Ehpien.
Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:
- Holy crap lobster grilled-cheese sounds amazing.
- Cool shot of when Georgetown was a lot more rural.
Filed under The Morning Metropolitan
The Georgetown Metropolitan 
You must be logged in to post a comment.