Business in Brief: Franklin Montessori building for sale; Chick-fil-A opens at UDC, Washington Photo Safari celebrates 25 years

Art All Night puts local artists, musicians and other creators in the spotlight, but it’s also a chance for small and local businesses to show their stuff. That is, arguably, the main goal of the Main Street organizations that put this show on year after year. And, they nailed it.

The line for pizza and cider donuts at Bread Furst (4434 Connecticut Avenue) wrapped around the block for much of the night. This photo was taken 15 minutes after the 2023 Art All Night festivities started in Van Ness.

At the Van Ness Art All Night event on September 29th, we saw restaurants with tables full of customers. Chevy Chase Art Gallery and Custom Framing (5039 Connecticut Avenue), an Art All Night newcomer, saw a steady stream of visitors. Italian Pizza Kitchen (4483 Connecticut) was busy feeding carryout customers as well as sit-down patrons, and, as we learned later, IPK was fueling Art All Night volunteers… all night.

BIG thanks to Italian Pizza Kitchen for your generous 🍕🍕🍕 donations and for keeping our Art All Night volunteer team fueled throughout a long night!

📍 @IpkVan 4483 Connecticut Avenue in #VanNess pic.twitter.com/gLWeyqsIL6

— Van Ness Main Street (@VanNessMainSt) October 2, 2023

Now, to the other local business happenings.

4473 Connecticut is for sale. From the late 1940s through 1979, the address was home to Jelleff’s fine women’s fashions. It served as an Ethan Allen furniture store for several years. Then, Franklin Montessori moved in. The listing information from brokerage Horvath & Tremblay touts the property’s “significant redevelopment potential,” under zoning that “permits by-right medium density mixed-use development.” But it also says prospective buyers have several options, including “negotiating to extend out the lease with the current tenant.” Franklin Montessori’s current lease expires in four years.

Chick-fil-A is open for business at the UDC Student Center. Fuddruckers, too. The walk-up windows in the Student Center food court are open to the public, too, and we’re also welcome to try the food court’s salad bar, the sandwich shop Stack’d, and Laurene’s southern-style food. The food court hours are currently Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

#ExcitingNews UDC's Van Ness campus now features the eagerly anticipated Food Court, home to @ChickfilA and @fuddruckers! 🍔🍗

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Food Court occurred on September 11, 2023, attended by students, faculty, staff, and government officials. pic.twitter.com/Vu1v3SzedH

— University of the District of Columbia (UDC) (@udc_edu) September 11, 2023

News on the MOM’s Organic Market is coming soon. UDC community engagement director Juanita Gray, at ANC 3F’s September 19th meeting, said: “The University has been in communication with MOM’s high executive team to collaborate on their plan for the store opening at 4250 Connecticut Avenue. MOM’s team is expected to provide us with confirmation on the projected opening date as we plan for a shared update for the community within the next few weeks.”

Washington Photo Safari is planning an anniversary trip. The Van Ness-based small business has been teaching people how to get the most out of their SLR and phone cameras for nearly a quarter century, and in March 2024 – “our 25th anniversary year” – WPS is leading a seven-day photo adventure in Andalucía, Spain. And you can always adventure closer to home. WPS is hosting a food photography safari at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 8th at Rosemary Bistro Cafe (5010 Connecticut).

Take Hillwood’s fragrance home with you. Hillwood Museum now has not one, but two signature eau de parfums. “Do Not Disturb” follows the spring release of “Cocktails at Eight.” Both are collaborations with Molly Ray Parfums. Hillwood is selling the fragrances at its museum store and online.