Have you noticed anything new at Connecticut and Albemarle?

by Marlene Berlin

I walked by Nail Avenue, Italian Pizza Kitchen, and Diplomat Cleaners one night last week and thought there was something different about this corner of Connecticut Avenue and Albemarle Street, but could not quite put my finger on it. I turned the corner to walk up Albemarle and it hit me: The signs were lit up.

Theresa Cameron, executive director of Van Ness Main Street, explained in an email:

Van Ness Main Street recently awarded Diplomat Cleaners, Italian Pizza Kitchen and Nail Avenue with a storefront improvement grant for lighting. Van Ness Main Street contracted with Outdoor Illumination to recommend ways to light signs at the southeast corner of Albemarle and Connecticut Avenue.

The lights were installed two weeks ago.

Installing the lights (photos courtesy of Theresa Cameron)

All lit up (photo by Marlene Berlin)

In January, neighborhood historian Ann Kessler will tell us more about the businesses that used to be on this corner – and made Connecticut Avenue and Albemarle Street a shopping destination.