Progress report on UDC’s incoming retail tenants: While checking out the May 6th “Around the World” embassy events at the UDC Student Center, we checked on the buildout of the incoming Chick-fil-A and Fuddruckers walkup counters.
If the renderings match the reality, the window on the right might be the future Chick-fil-A counter.
We’re waiting on Mom’s Organic Market, which had planned a summer 2023 opening at UDC-owned 4250 Connecticut Avenue.
And at neighboring 4340 Connecticut, the wait is over for AllCare Family Medical, which had placed its business sign next to the UDC law school sign in late 2021. AllCare now operates the first urgent care and primary care facility in Van Ness since Walgreens closed its pharmacy at 4225 Connecticut in 2015. Find more information about AllCare’s Van Ness staff, hours and services here.
Outgoing UDC President Ronald Mason, who was recognized for his support of Van Ness Main Street at its April 29th “Celebrating Community” event, said that night that two more tenants were in the works. He just wasn’t allowed to name them, yet.
This rendering of a Compass Coffee drive-thru store at the former Burger King is purely speculative. It was part of a presentation Compass created for ANC 3F’s April meeting.
More coffee in Van Ness? Maybe: Michael Haft, a Compass Coffee cofounder, attended ANC 3F’s April 18th meeting to announce his company is in talks with the owner of 4422 Connecticut Avenue, which is perhaps better known as the former Van Ness Burger King. While the outcome is not certain, Compass clearly put a lot of time and research into a presentation that ANC 3F provided to Forest Hills Connection after the meeting. The slides showed Compass was interested in operating the location’s existing drive-thru, installing a sidewalk cafe and stormwater runoff controls, and in using all four of the restaurant’s floors, with a “quiet car” workspace on the top floor and a children’s play area on the lowest level.
Delivering a livelier facade: The most remarkable thing about Gopuff’s Van Ness storefront across from the UDC Student Center… is that there isn’t much to see.
Gopuff and Van Ness Main Street want to fill these plain white windows with colorful art. (Gopuff photo)
It’s the very definition of a blank canvas, which gave Van Ness Main Street and Gopuff the inspiration to make it an art showcase.
From now through June 30th, Gopuff and VNMS are inviting artists to submit proposals for pieces that can fill the store’s 40 by 72-inch windows. Finalists will be notified on July 10th, and from then through July 21st, the public will be invited to vote on the three winners. You’ll find more details about the art contest here.
Gopuff’s mini distribution center at 4221 Connecticut previously was home to Sushi Para and a 7-Eleven.
(Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of Van Ness Main Street. In March, FHC editor-in-chief Marlene Berlin joined the board to serve as interim president.)
They’re on the list: Find out which local eatery makes some of the most delicious donuts in DC, and which one makes among the most mouthwatering desserts.
Sfoglina on the go: Sfoglina Pasta House is one of the new vendors coming to Dulles Airport by 2026. No grab-and-go here. Sfoglina will operate a full-service restaurant and patio and bar. The original Sfoglina in Van Ness was recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award last year.
Gone fishin’ after 32 years: The Fishery, a seafood market at 5509 Connecticut Avenue, is now under new management. The store’s previous owners, Sue and Bob, announced in April that they had decided to retire, but the market would continue under new owners. Jerry Malitz’s Chevy Chase News and Notes newsletter revealed they are Sunny and Henry, who are retaining the store’s current staff. You might also be interested in learning who first opened the shop in 1978.
April 2023 notice on The Fishery’s door, courtesy of FHC reader Steve, who said Bob and Sue “have done a terrific job providing the freshest seafood found anywhere in the DC area.”
Think our local businesses and institutions are the greatest? Now’s the time to nominate them for the Washington City Paper’s 2023 Best of DC list. Past runners-up and winners include Calvert Woodley, Levine Music, DP Auto Service and Politics and Prose.
Social media mentions
From humble Calvert Woodley cheese shop to Tony Kornheiser Show catchphrase to…
“La Cheeserie” at “La Cheeserie” @ThisShowStinks @TKLittles @MarcSterne @loyallittlespod @FriNightMovie @CalvertWoodley pic.twitter.com/ZwH8N94yzL
— Dan Bern (@DanBernHQ) January 22, 2023
Today and tomorrow are @BreadFurst's soft opening at the Phillips! Stop by to enjoy coffee, bread, breakfast pastries, sandwiches, salads, & more ▶️ https://t.co/RmPOs2sYOp
The cafe will be open today and tomorrow, closed Sunday, then begin regular hours (Tues-Sun, 11 am-5 pm)! pic.twitter.com/tZj5hDJMw3
— The Phillips Collection (@PhillipsMuseum) May 12, 2023
RS says
I wish Compass Coffee would consider opening up a location near Politics and Prose or further up the way near Avalon. The loss of Little Red Fox from that strip has left a void in getting decent coffee anywhere in the area. Sorry, but the coffee at Call Your Mother is AWFUL – like 2 star hotel coffee, and the only other option is Starbucks.
MG says
Italian Bar and the cafe at Politics & Prose both have decent coffee.
Green Eyeshades says
It is always encouraging to see that retail businesses are still interested in providing our neighborhood what we need. But thousands of residents in our neighborhood are tenants in rent-controlled buildings along Connecticut Avenue who are facing a new threat.
Since May 1, landlords in DC have had the power to raise rents as much as 8.9% in rent-controlled buildings — apparently the highest-ever increase since rent control began. The DC Council is poised to help tenants in rent-controlled buildings, but the question is how much.
At-large Councilmember Robert White proposes capping the rent increase at 6.9% (the inflation rate), still very high by historic standards. The DC Jobs with Justice coalition (a nonprofit union-led organization) is pushing for a cap of 5%, which is about the average annual increase in the past. The DC Jobs with Justice proposal to cap the increase at 5% is supported by Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.
Read more about the proposals at the Washington City Paper, here:
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/606325/robert-white-wants-to-cap-increases-at-rent-controlled-apartments/
The City Paper story says “Specifically, White is advancing plans that would let landlords raise rents by 6.9 percent for the next two years ….”
To persuade DC Council to stop Robert White’s plan to allow 6.9% rent hikes for the next two years, please take action this Thursday, May 25.
If you want the DC Council to cap rents at 5%, join DC Jobs with Justice’s call-in action on Thursday to call your Ward Councilmember and some At-Large Councilmembers. Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin will be a key vote in this effort.
Sign up for a time slot that works for you and get all the information you need at this link:
https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18277232
Please spread the word to friends and neighbors, especially in rent-controlled buildings.
Green Eyeshades says
Tenants are getting busy making phone calls to DC Council! When I started this comment, all but five of the call-in times were full up to 1 pm today, now only two more slots are available up to 1 pm today:
https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18277232
We need lots more callers at and after 1 pm. Time slots are available every ten minutes from 1 pm through 6:10 pm this evening. Remember, you can sign up for more than one slot so you speak to the Chairman of DC Council and more than one other Councilmember.