i'm intrigued by this space

its on the market

Personally, i'd love to use it as a studio space, maybe do sculpture workshops or painting workshops out of there. but it'd also make a rockin bar or restaurant space.

given the spaces nearby, it seems inevitable that this block will become more active commercially. bloomingdale liquors, the yoga place, maybe baraki, dc minimart, the empty and rather large space directly across the street. could be a lot going on.

Old Firehouse for Sale- updated.

ec-12. nope.
martini 2020. nope.

but now its for sale


1626 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20002
Map
$1,500,000

Incredible space! Approx 12,000+ sq ft. This was once the old fire house. Total renovation needed. The first floor is restricted for RESTAURANT use only! All plat, plans, drawings convey with this property. Please call for appt.


i did see a new sign on the old savemore grocery store.
i guess that might be opening soon.

From the eckington yahoo group:
I would like to give the neighborhood an update on the Firehouse restaurant project. Since many people joined this list midstream I will backtrack a little so everyone is on the same page.



Several years ago Nextgen Development was awarded the Firehouse via RFP where we were to be the developer and Mike Benson (operator of St Ex bar and café) would be the operator. Near the end of a year planning stage Mike Benson and his partners dropped out for personal reasons. Over the next 14 Months we met with approximate 20+ qualified operators and while there was interest from many operators, most were frankly afraid to take the chance of opening a restaurant in an untested neighborhood. Near the end of the 14 months we met Twyla Garett of Martini 2020 who upon looking at the site and the neighborhood potential rapidly moved forward to commit to the project. Nextgen proceeded to complete the acquisition and moved forward on the project. Unfortunately for Nextgen Twyla signed that agreement just as the financial mess hit nationwide. As a result four or five months after she signed the agreement the financing she had lined up disappeared and she defaulted on her agreement.



In spite of that default Nextgen made the decision to move forward on the project while we looked for a new operator. We committed to spending between $500,000 and $750,000 of our own funds while we searched for a new operator. (Note: this does not include the $100,000 in interest payments we have made to date while we carry this project) The work performed to date on the site is as follows:



95% completion of the exterior building restoration.

We addressed some environmental issues we became aware of

We completed 90% of the non-structural demo required for the project

We spent $250+k completing the architectural and structural plans.

We initiated structural stabilization of the building

Bid out most aspects of the critical systems so we could move quickly when we find the right operator.



During the time we were doing the above work we have continued to search for operators. While we have gotten close to signing a new operator over 7 times, each time something would surface near the completion of the deal that undid it. I will share two such situations here. One operator we found was in a financial cash position to move forward however one of the conditions they were looking for some nominal help from the city for their first 5 years of operation to make their numbers work.. Unfortunately while we had every indication from the city that this would happen (including legislation being introduced to that effect) however the deteriorating local economy killed the city’s ability to deliver that help in fiscal 2008 and that deal died. Subsequent to that opportunity collapsing we signed a letter of intent with another operator, and started working through the operating agreement, however 1 week after we signed that agreement their financing partner collapsed. (Their financing partner was Lehman Brothers)



During the time we have been have been marketing the space we have gotten a number of operators that expressed interest only if they could purchase the building as part of the transaction. In the past we declined to consider that because we wanted to make sure that we could fulfill our commitment to the community of delivering a restaurant on the first level of the building.



After discussion with several bankers regarding how restaurants are currently being financed we have come to realize that in today’s financial instability that the only likely way that a restaurant will get financing on this type project is if they use the building as collateral to complete the build out. While this was not true in the past the problems banks are having has resulted in it being nearly impossible for any other option.



To that end we have changed our marketing strategy to bring this project to market. Shortly you will see a lease/sale sign appear on the building. This is also being placed in Co-star, Loop net as well as the MLS as a sale/lease. The hope is to bring in an operator that previously might have rejected it because they could not lock in their costs by purchasing part or majority ownership of the project at the time they build-out the restaurant. It may be that we may just become general contractor on this project. Our intent is to still to find a way in spite of the financial environment to try to move this project forward. We are trying to think outside the box to keep this process moving. We have also reached out to the Council members’ office for advice/options also. Thank you for your understanding and patience.



Brian Brown

bloomingdale yoga

I went to the first class at Yoga District tonight. there were maybe..i dunno... 20 people.

It was my first yoga class ever so i'm not really a good judge of quality , but i thought it was great.
i'll definitely be going back.

It was mentioned that they will be holding a fundraiser for Delfa Hercules, the woman who was murdered at her bus stop on October 10th.

i will post more info about that when i hear it.

Important meeting tonight

On the agenda for the Bloomingdale Civic Association

- the nomination of candidates for the Civic Association's upcoming election of officers, and

- an Association resolution about the liquor license application for the proposed tavern at 84-86 T St, NW. Under discussion will be the proposed hours of operation, parking, trash disposal, and the noise that may accompany operation of this business. We will issue an invitation to the owners to address the community on behalf of their business.


Neighbors with any other business to bring before the Civic Association should contact us at bloomingdaleca @ gmail.com to ask for a place on our agenda.

The meeting will be held at St. George's Episcopal Church, located at 160 U St, NW. It will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and refreshments will be served.

baraki and yoga

thought i'd post a link to Veranda, considering this

and oh.. it seems like there may be a yoga place across the street.



first street is gonna be kickin it, huh?

1322-1330 North Capitol Street NW will be Razed

the Bloomingdale (for now) blog wrote about the buildings here.


Look at this post about what will replace them
did you guess condos before you clicked? me too.

Thoron Development’s Dunbar Place, a five-story 29 unit condominium building will fill the space.

talk of the borf mansion

the prince of petworth comments on the borf mansion here

what do you think of this place?

what do you think of THIS place for bloomingdale?

a comment HERE sparked this post.

Windows Cafe Wine Tasting

Mr. Abeje advises that there will be a wine-tasting event tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Windows Cafe -- from 4 pm to 7 pm.

There will be both red and white wines.

Plus cheeses and other snacks.

So stop by and participate!

CHERYL'S GONE: A READING SERIES AT BIG BEAR CAFE

CHERYL'S GONE: A READING SERIES AT BIG BEAR CAFE
JANUARY 17, 2008
8:00 PM
CORNER OF FIRST AND R NW WASHINGTON DC
http://www.bigbearcafe-dc.com/

POETRY by CAREN SCOTT
Current NOVA-ite / Ex Floridian and Atlantite. Author of poems dealing with the supernova that is occurring between your lungs and below your sternum. Also, excellent at playing the singing-saw.

POETRY by CATHY EISENHOWER
Poet and author of the collections Language of Dog-Heads and the upcoming Clearing Without Reversal.

PROSE by JEN GIRDISH
Award-nominated essayist and journalist for places like the Washington Post and the Washington City Paper.

MUSIC by SAHBA SIZDAHKHANI
Drummer, soundscape artist and post-revolutionary composer. Visit him online at sahbasizdahkhani.com to listen.

Hope to see you there--

Joe
(BigBearReadings@gmail.com)

luciana cafe

See Kris Hammonds Post about a new restaurant on North Capitol.

rumors of north capitol

posted on the eckington listserve was mention of Luciana Cafe coming to the corner of North Capitol and P NW.
i remember reading about "J. Bells" which was supposed to open in the very same spot quite a while ago.

so, we'll see.


Anyone been in the video store yet?

North Capitol Main Street Silent Auction and Party

Seeking Volunteers for the Saturday, March 1, 2008, North Capitol Main Street Silent Auction and Party



Winter has arrived . . . and that means the North Capitol Main Street Annual Silent Auction and Party can’t be far behind. This year, the theme of the Silent Auction is “A Leap Into Spring” and the event will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008—during the leap year weekend.

NCMS needs volunteers to assist with the Silent Auction. For example, are you looking for a community volunteer opportunity that doesn’t require an ongoing commitment? Would you like to put your creative talents to work to help make a community event a success? Are you a good general worker, someone who will do the unsexy stuff, like addressing envelopes, licking stamps, making phone calls, then NCMS could use your help.

If you’re interested in volunteering for this annual community event, which promises to be the most spectacular ever, please send us an email at info@ncmsinc.org or visit our website and complete a quick volunteer form, which is located at http://www.ncmsinc.org/SilentAuctionVolunteer.shtml

north cap and florida

Urban metro diary has got a story about the proposed development of the vacant lot at the intersection of North capitol and florida avenue nw.

look here.

Last Bloomingdale Farmers' Market of the Season

Last Market Day Till 08

We have had a great first year in Bloomingdale and with your support we can look forward to many more years of locally grown produce, free range meats, eggs and top shelf baked goods.

Our market is small but every one of our producers is simply outstanding. We get unique items that can't be found in some of the larger markets.

We have a very special market location, within walking distance for most people, with a shaded park and, of course, the Big Bear.

Every Sunday since June we have closed the 100 block of R street NW to cars and opened it up to the neighborhood. A weelky block party with something for everyone.

Babies in strollers to octogenarians, every race and life style, dogs and their pet humans, all at market, all having fun.

Live music by DOS, the Haitian Boys Choir and our free pig roast were a real crowd pleasers.

LOCAL, GREEN and HEALTHLY . When you buy locally you strengthen the area economy in a green manner. The reduction of green house gases by shorter transporting and multiple warehousing. Smaller impact on resources because market products aren't repacked many times before they arrive to the consumer. Many Market goers took the extra step of bring reusable bags to market, something we will really push next season.

Healthy produce, meats and baked goods and they all have tasted sooooooooooo good!

If you have enjoyed the Bloomingdale Farmers Market and want it back next year this is your chance to sound off. Please e-mail me with your market story and I will compile all your comments to pass along to the people that make the decisions. mcginnfamily@aol.com

Thanks for your support.

ted mcginn


Dear Friends of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market:

Please join us for the LAST MARKET of the 2007 season this Sunday and gather your Thanksgiving goodies so that you can cook up a table filled with our regions wonderful local foods, baked and boiled, braised and sauteed, stir fried and roasted.

Local Bloomingdale baker Aisha Bond will have her sweet potato pie,bread pudding, buttermilk pecan pies and brownies for your Thanksgiving feasts. ( They freeze very well)

Blueberry Hill has holiday wreaths from their own flowers.
Greens to braise and saute and stirfry: collards, kale, spinach, chard, Tat Soi, Bok Choy,
Salads, lettuce mixes, endive, arugula, mesclun,
Brussels sprouts loose and on the stalk to bake and saute (DON'T boil them!)
Green and Purple Broccoli
White, Purple and Cheddar Cheese Cauliflower
Yukon Gold and Fingerling Potatoes to bake, boil or mash
Beets
Winter Squash: Butternut, Acorn, Carnival, varieties to mash, puree, roast or make into soup
Breadline's bags of bread and cornbread for stuffing
Lamb and pork sausages, bacon and ham to season your stuffing and brussels sprouts
20 varieties of apples to eat, bake or make into sauce
Pears to poach in red wine or mulled cider
Fresh herbs
Baby Turnips to braise in butter or roast or mash
Jade Green beans
Ciders to mull


Reid has tables and tables of eating and cooking apples, Asian pears,bartletts, bosc, apple butter, apple sauce, pumpkin pear butter, fruit sauces, jams and their famous ciders: apple. apple-cherry, pear.

Lots of meadow- raised Lamb fron New Asbury Farms and Truck Patch's Pastured Pork to stock your fridges.

And of course, we will have lots of recipes to inspire you.

Bloomingdale Farmers' Market
Sunday November 18
First and R Streets NW (between Rhode Island and North Cap)
10-2 pm

We welcome WiC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition coupon.

Robin and Ted

--
Robin Shuster
Markets & More, LLC
Director, Mount Pleasant Local Food Market
14 & U Farmers Market
1318 Wallach Place NW
Washington, DC 20009
1-(202)-536-5571
703-328-6559
The Bloomingdale Farmers' Market:
June 17- November 18th, 2007
Rain or Shine
Sundays, 10-2
First and R Streets NW
right next to the new Big Bear Cafe

We welcome WIC and CSFP Senior Farmers Market Coupons.

Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market at the Big Bear Cafe!

Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market at the Big Bear Cafe!
Saturday, December 1, 3-9pm
Arts, crafts, hot cider, fun!



DC artists, designers, and craftspeople will be selling their creations at the Big Bear Cafe on December 1st.
Please come and check it out.



Please Help Us Spread the Word!

bloomingdale liquors

kris hammond has a post and pictures concerning the wine tasting hosted by north capitol main streets and held at bloomingdale liquors on the 19th.
look here

events in bloomingdale

Tonight:
TONIGHT = CHERYL'S GONE

{a reading series at Big Bear Café}
Event Starts @ 8:00 pm

Featuring

Buck Downs
{poet; Mississippi born &, 80s onward, Washington raised; recent books include Ladies Love Outlaws, Let it Rip & Recreational Vehicle}

Ethan Edwards
{singer/songwriter/lady's man}

Jade Foster
{poet; published in "Growin Up Girl: Voice From Marginalized Space; terrible driver}

echothrs/John Jones
{gorgeous noise : www.myspace.com/echothrs }

&, of course, beer & wine swapped for donations

Questions? Readers/performers you'd like to see here? Interested in the possibility of an open-mic at Big Bear? Contact Joe @ BigBearReadings@gmail.com

Friday night:
See this message from North Capitol Main Street President Pat Mitchell:

DID YOU KNOW?

Wine tastings are popular because they override the limitations of sampling wine alone, at home. How many wines can you taste on your own (unless you don't mind throwing away nine-tenths of every bottle)? How many wines are you willing to buy on your own? And how much can you learn by tasting wine in isolation — or with a friend whose expertise is no greater than yours?
At wine tastings, you can learn from your fellow tasters, as well as make new friends who share your interest in wine. Most importantly, you can taste wine in the company of some individuals who are more experienced than you, which is a real boon in training your palate.

NCMS invites you to come out to taste great wines and beers, mingle with neighbors and friends and get to know your neighborhood purveyor of Fine Wines and Spirits, Mr. Singh of Bloomingdale Liquors.
North Capitol Main Streets
First-ever Fall Wine Tasting
Bloomingdale Liquors
1st and Rhode Island Avenue NW
Friday, October 19, 2007
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

wine tasting in bloomingdale

For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat Mitchell, 202.547.7979
October 8, 2007


North Capitol Main Street, Inc. to Sponsor Wine Tasting Event

Washington DC—On Friday, October 19, 2007, from 6 to 8 pm, North Capitol Main Street, Inc. (NCMS, Inc.) will host its First Annual Fall Wine Tasting at Bloomingdale Liquors, located First Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Event details are summarized below.

“The holiday season is fast approaching,” says NCMS, Inc. President Pat Mitchell. “October is a great time of year to discover wines that will go well with holiday feasts, Christmas parties, and other special occasions.”

“We also want to showcase the wide array of wines that Bloomingdale Liquors carries,” says Lonna Hooks, Chair of the NCMS, Inc. Promotions Committee. “Bloomingdale Liquors is ready to meet residents’ wine and spirits needs for the holiday season.”

Who: North Capitol Main Street, Inc.
What: First Annual Fall Wine Tasting
Where: Bloomingdale Liquors, First Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW
When: 6 pm to 8 pm, Friday, October 19, 2007

NCMS, Inc. is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 with the primary purpose of serving as a catalyst for neighborhood commercial revitalization. Specifically, this volunteer-driven organization was established to revitalize the North Capitol Street area's historically and culturally important neighborhood commercial corridors. NCMS, Inc. follows the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street approach to economic revitalization, which focuses on incremental change and self-help.

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. ▪ P.O. Box 90044 ▪ Washington, DC 20090

tuesday night at big bear.

banished? productions will unveil their so-secret-that-we-only-sent-the-press-release-two-days-ago
BALLADES MECHANIQUES (ver 1.0) story machine at
Big Bear Cafe
(1700 1st St NW - that's 1st & R, near Florida Ave if that helps)
a fabulous place that serves up the fantastic coffee by Counter Culture
OCTOBER 8-14, 2007.
Café hours: M-F, 7a-9p; Sa, 7:30a-6p; Su 9a-5p.
Play a play, or seven, for free. Donations are graciously accepted.


What pray tell is this gadgetry of alleged theatrical association?
Well, best if you came on down to this super-chill cafe and find out for yourself!

We will be having a low-key-post-opening fete at Big Bear Cafe on Tuesday, Oct 9th at 6pm .
The wee rations of champagne's on us, but coffee (and you know you want some!) and such intoxicating beverages as well-made mochas, lattes and mighty leaf teas are available at the cafe! Support us by supporting them too!

Ok, the real answer, if you really need one...

Made entirely of found and salvaged materials, BALLADES MECHANIQUE (ver 1.0) is a Rube Goldberg-inspired machine that fashions an individual sensory experience of the play for the audience member/user. The user selects a story, thus activating the machine and the experience. The plays are primarily performed with the assistance of digital video, which re-imagines the stories with animations and puppets, creating an aural/visual accompanist to Suzan-Lori Parks' rhythmically distinct and intensely succinct writing. Video is also used to instruct the user on how to discover the stories that require the assistance of the viewer, who manipulates hand cranks, buttons, switches and such to dispense the stories. banished? concept is hugely playful and borrows liberally from the Dadaist movement in its interpretation of its seven plays. The aim was to create a way of telling stories – an age-old practice and intrinsic human need – using a method that expressed a complex, multi-layered vision of the human being persevering in an irrevocably technological world.

Hope you can catch it!