Reader Inquiry: What’s Happening to the Laundromat/Carwash on Eleventh?

Reader Jason asks "What’s Happening to the Laundromat/Carwash on Eleventh?" and submits the following photo of what appears to be a recently emptied out and closed business:

I was privy to an e-mail chain this past weekend on the subject, in which Mr. Borderstan concluded that nothing appears on the public records indicating what's in store. Anyone have any insight?

A while ago, I pontificated about the underutilized but highly visible corner. Here's hoping that a major change is in store.

Coming Soon: Shaw's Tavern

In case you've missed it, Left for LeDroit has the exciting details on a new restaurant to be called Shaw's Tavern opening at Sixth Street and Florida Avenue, Northwest.  I've added Shaw's Tavern to the "Coming Soon" section of the renewshaw.com eat, drink, shop tab above.

Tab: Shaw Business Directory

I just added another tab below the header of this site, which I labeled “Shaw Business Directory.”  It is very much a work in progress listing of Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Galleries, Bars/Clubs/Nightlife, Shopping/Services, and Coming Soon. I have provided photographs and summaries of some of my favorites in each category. I will add links, additional photographs, additional businesses, additional descriptions, and hopefully a map soon.  Please let me know of any omissions, errors or general suggestions.


Be on the lookout for new tabs in the coming weeks. If you have any suggestions on similar useful go-to resources, let me know.

Boutique Coming to 1900 Block of Ninth

Prince of Petworth reports that Toucan Boutique will fill the space in the 1900 block of Ninth Street that was formerly home to Lettie Gooch. The boutique, which appears to have had an online presence for a few years, comes to us from a mother-and-daughter team. It "will feature a new generation of designers, both American and international, who offer women greater originality and freedom in casual clothing." For its opening, Toucan Boutique will present two Brazilian brands that are known for their exclusive designs and prints: Cantão and Redley.

It will be exciting to welcome this unique store to the neighborhood! With Basiliko Gallery opening across the street, Dickson Wine Bar coming to nearby U Street, The Brixton Pub coming to the corner of Ninth and U Street, and a handful of noteworthy developments in the pipeline (e.g., the Jazz at Florida Avenue), this area is booming!

Toucan Boutique
1911 Ninth Street, Northwest

Good Libations Offers Thanksgiving Pairings

Good Libations offers an array of great wines to enjoy with your Thanksgiving meal, and they're even open until 3pm on Thanksgiving for those in need of a gift for a host or for last minute feast supplement! They send the following insight on wines appropriate for Thanksgiving:

With all the different spices and flavors of Thanksgiving, what wines to pair with dinner? My two recommendations are:

Pinot Noir (Red) and Gewurztraminer (White)

Pinot Noir fits right in and adds its own unique appeal. Generally light in body, with soft texture as a counterpoint to its lovely aroma, Pinot Noir is easy to love, especially among the many flavors of Thanksgiving.

Gewurztraminer tends to have the aromatic gusto and spicy palate appeal that give it a solid standing with turkey and gravy, bringing out the best in both.

Other wines to consider are: Shira/Syrah, Sparkling Wines and Rose

Now, it really comes down to your taste, so buy something you like and enjoy the Holidays.

Good Libations also has some great specials through the end of the month, so be sure to stop by soon!


Good Libations
1201 Fifth Street, Northwest
202.347.1006

PoP Previews The Passenger

. . . and our newest neighborhood destination looks AWESOME. Check out the preview here!

Old City Green, A Year-ish Later

About a year ago, I was so excited to learn that a garden center would be opening up at the long-empty lot at the corner of Ninth and N Streets. Little did I know that Old City Green would become so much more than just a purveyor of plants, Christmas trees and pumpkins: it’s a neighborhood gathering spot (having hosted pig roasts and countless other events), a provider of holiday cheer (entertaining us with jazz Christmas carols last year, giving us warm fires and cider on cold days, providing flair to the street with sunflowers planted along the fence in the summer and spider webs adorning it at Halloween), a community partner (having sponsored and helped coordinate last month’s tulip planting and countless other community events), and a landscaping business. Old City Green has transformed what was once an eyesore of a fenced off, forgotten lot, into a flourishing green heart of our community.

I’m gushing over Old City Green because I don’t want us to take it (or any of our other small businesses) for granted. I was surprised to learn that Garden District on Fourteenth Street recently declared bankruptcy. Garden District’s demise might be tied to the expensive second indoor plant location they opened at Fourteenth and Church Street last year, but retailers generally haven’t had the greatest year ever. So I extend a big virtual hug to our wonderful garden center, Old City Green, and can’t wait to buy my Christmas tree there soon!

Old City Green still has plenty of flowers, shrubs, trees and bulbs still hoping to call our yards home this year. In fact, they're having another "Whacky Weekend Sale" this weekend -- selected shrubs, trees and perennials will be 20-50% off. It is not too late to plant. Stop by this weekend and take advantage of the gorgeous weather!


Old City Green
Corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest
202.412.2489

DCist Previews New Civilians Arts Gallery

DCist has a great preview of our neighborhood's newest gallery, Civilian Art Projects. The gallery celebrates its grand re-opening in the Warehouse Arts Complex on Seventh Street tonight from 7 to 9 pm. After tonight, Civilian Art Projects will be open Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m., Thursday by appointment, Friday 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday 1 to 6 p.m.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 Seventh Street, Northwest
202.607.3804

Shakti MindBody Studio Offers Serenity on Seventh Street

Shakti MindBody Studio opened in the 1000 block of Seventh Street, Northwest across from the convention center in 2007. I can't believe I've not yet highlighted this great, unique business and all it has to offer.

Shakti* (pronounced "shahk-tee") is a vibrant yoga lifestyle and healing center. Shakti helps you incorporate the healing practice of yoga and other holistic therapies into daily living. They utilize traditional healing practices merged effectively with modern techniques in a nurturing and inviting atmosphere. Among the services offered are:

Energizing and relaxing classes: yoga, pilates, meditation and budokon
Healing therapies: Chair, Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Reiki, and Reflexology. Hot Stone coming soon!
Naturopath, Ayurvedic and Nutritional Counseling
Life Coaching and Private Sessions
Corporate and On-site yoga, pilates and chair massage
Group Discounts for Employer Sponsored Memberships
Community Classes
Monthly Community Yoga Class
Yoga Pamper Parties
Yoga Teacher Training Program
Family, pre-natal and kids yoga

They currently offer a special of two classes for $20 and monthly memberships. Ask about massage specials and discounts for students, nonprofit employees and seniors.

Set in a "Bohemian Chic Urban Hang Suite," Shakti is an eco-friendly urban sanctuary for cultivating a healthy body, finding peace of mind, and opening your doors to personal freedom.






The owners invite you to come relax, take a class and have some tea!


Shakti MindBody Studio
1015 1/2 7th Street, NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001
info@shaktimindbodystudio.com
202.783.6463


*Shakti is the Divine force manifested to destroy negative forces and restore balance. It is the Mother goddess, the source of all, the universal principle of energy, power and creativity.

Independence Bank Banner

As mentioned earlier this week, Independence Bank will occupy the ground floor of The Exchange at Ninth and N. The bank installed a banner today announcing their arrival this month. It will be great to see the ground floor of this notable building finally occupied!



Thanks, Drew!