Forest Hills Connection | News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Covering Forest Hills, Van Ness, North Cleveland Park and Wakefield

Neighborhood updates: Van Ness Metro entrance closing; Park Van Ness sidewalk opening

Van Ness metro exit closing sign

  • Have you caught a ride on the Van Ness Metro station’s newest escalator? Its completion means work on the next escalator will begin soon. And that means the Van Ness West entrance will close on Monday, February 29th. It’s to reopen in May. WMATA officials will provide more information at the February 23rd ANC 3F meeting.

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  • The sidewalk on the other side of Connecticut Avenue, in front of Park Van Ness (4455 Connecticut), is now scheduled to reopen a few days later – on Friday, March 4th. Our big January snowstorm is one factor in the latest delay. Previously, bad weather and unexpected work on Pepco infrastructure on the north end of the sidewalk area delayed a predicted December 2015 opening.

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  • Epicurean & Company (4250 Connecticut Avenue) has closed. Fannie Mae owns the building. Van Ness Main Street is following up with Fannie Mae about the retail space. Stay tuned.

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  • For the second year running, Mark Furstenberg of Bread Furst (4434 Connecticut Avenue) is a semifinalist for a James Beard Award, in the “Outstanding Baker” category. Finalists will be announced on March 15th; the winners in May. Let’s wish Furstenberg and the Bread Furst staff the best of luck.

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    Comments

    1. Hello Forest Hills familia. Tad here. I was a real regular at the Epicurean restaurant. Do you have any more information about it? A few weeks ago I went and there was a sign in the window that said it was “closed for maintenance” but would be reopening again in one week. But now there is no sign at all. Are you SURE that it is closed for good? I HOPE NOT!

      Please let me know what you know. THANKS!

      • Tad,
        Epicurean is closed for good. Fannie Mae has its building up for sale, and proceeded to close down its retail space. Chalin’s was first to go and now Epicuream. Van Ness Main Street will be meeting with Fannie Mae to see what can be done to activate this empty space short term. Do you have any ideas? .
        Marlene
        Editor

        • Well thank you Marlene. That is in the disappointing. My suggestion, even if it has to be short term, would be something similar in the space. It is a perfect arrangement for a buffet Cafe.

          On a separate note, do you perhaps know if the owners of the Epicurean intend to reopen in a different location? Thanks!

        • Short-term, I think it would be nice to reach out to some local artists and use the space to display their work. Perhaps each artist could have the space for 2-3 weeks or so? Something like that or a pop-up bar/restaurant would work well there. Long-term, a brewpub right by the Metro station would be a great fit. The Walgreens building would, I think, be a perfect space for brewing equipment, a tasting room and pub food. As for Epicurean/Chalin’s, I would love to see a local music venue or a 24-hour diner. Anything except yet another dry cleaners or civil rights-abusing fast food chains (Chick-Fil-A).

          • I agree. This neighborhood needs an organic market or, if it must be fast food, a Chop’t or a Sweet Green, or one of the healthier new choices proliferating elsewhere.

    2. I, too, am very sorry to see Epicurean and Company close. At lease now I know it was not their decision but because of the building’s sale. I really loved some of their dishes and the ease with which I could grab some food and take it home. This neighborhood seems to be in real trouble with so many empty storefronts. Any updates on what is happening with the Walgreen’s site? One piece of good news: the new UDC Student Union looks wonderful!

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