Politics and Prose resumes parking lot pickup under new DC pilot program

What will the first phases of reopening look like in DC? Politics and Prose, starting today, is one of the test cases. The bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Avenue and its other two locations are accepting orders for curbside pickup for the first time since April 1st, when Mayor Bowser ordered DC residents to stay at home for all except essential activities.

Visiting book, music and toy sellers did not make the cut then, but the stores are the focus of the pilot now. By Monday, Politics and Prose and seven others had received waivers allowing them to give customers the option of picking up their orders. Two of the other stores granted waivers are Middle C Music in Tenleytown and Child’s Play in Chevy Chase.

DCist spoke to the owners of all three, and to Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh, who told its reporter: “We’re not just going to open up full bore, we’re going to to do it in incremental steps, and this the first of an incremental kind of opening. [The pilot program] is appropriately cautious, but important to start.”

Politics and Prose is taking orders by phone and online. At the Forest Hills store, you’ll pick up your purchases in the parking lot. Here are the detailed instructions. Shipping is still an option, too.

We’re updating our Covid-19 business directory with this and other changes so you can see at a glance the services available within a few blocks of your home. As Van Ness Main Street reminded us when this started, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in our community.