Discipline, focus, perseverance and an entrepreneurial mindset transformed Wisdom owner Erik Holzherr into a small business owner, real estate owner, building renovator (only the tile floor survived the space’s makeover), employer (many employees come from the neighborhood), and multiple award winning mixologist. All of those outcomes may have been expected, but Holzherr probably didn’t anticipate his role as community activist, crime fighter and economic development advocate. Oh, and he saw his uncle turn on some dormant ninja skills, but more on that later.
When Holzherr hatched the idea for Wisdom, he knew he’d be drawing on many of his personal qualities. The discipline and perseverance earned through 11 years in the Air Force helped him convince a reluctant bar owner in LA to give him his first bartending job so he could learn the business from the ground up. Finding the right city was a little easier. A native of New York, Holzherr found Washington to be a much more hospitable location for his first business venture, “I love the architecture. It feels like the closest I could get to Paris without speaking French.” Fortunately, his entrepreneurial mindset comes with a streak of focus. He looked at several locations, settling on the Hill rather than downtown. After another spot fell through, finding the current spot on Pennsylvania at 14th, SE, seemed like providence. “The neighborhood is great. I really love the amenities, especially the Metro,” says Holzherr, who also lives in the neighborhood.
However, it’s not all roses on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania, SE. The end of the block has a poorly lit former KFC that attracts unsavory characters; the alley behind the bar has played host to many an entrepreneur of the shadier sort. As opening day neared in October of 2008, “there was a crack deal in the alley and six months later we were having a champagne tasting,” recalls Holzherr. There was also an armed robbery at the New York Pizza across the street, “it was a very quiet, long winter,” says Holzherr of his first few months.
Frustration with crime and the negligent attitude of the development company that owns the parcel with the former KFC led Holzherr to send a rousing email to neighbors on 15th Street and his ANC Commissioner. That email found its way to a neighborhood listserv and became the motivation behind a community meeting. As a result, neighbors started regular night walks that include the troublesome alley, Holzherr got to know the local police and he also reached out to the development company about the problems with their corner parcel. Things in the alley improved somewhat; the development company, unfortunately, didn’t have any concrete plans for a new tenant and hoped-for safety improvements never really materialized.
Uniting the community has resulted in improvements, but challenges remain. This past New Year’s, Holzherr was working and hosting his uncle — Wisdom is somewhat a family affair: his uncle spearheaded the renovations and his sister is sometimes behind the bar. On New Year’s Day, Holzherr was awakened by a loud sound as he was sleeping upstairs. He looked out the alley window and saw what he thought may have been people going around the corner, but didn’t see anything suspicious around his back door. He went back to sleep but it wasn’t long before he heard people inside the bar. Shaking off the sleep, he went to call the police and also noticed his uncle was gone. Watching the security tape later with the police, they saw several people attempting to rob the cash register and then there is Holzherr’s uncle creeping downstairs and into the bar. “He was like a ninja, he snuck up and yelled at them; it scared them all away.” He laughs as he tells the story, probably both from the humor of the situation and in relief nobody was hurt.
Despite the challenges, Holzherr is still a major cheerleader for his neighborhood and the Hill. In fact, keep an eye out for more from him on H Street, NE in the next few months. In the meantime, stop in at Penn & 14th, say hi to the regulars, order one of their amazing drinks, and nosh on some goods from the Argonaut (they’re still supplying the food). You’ll certainly run into Holzherr, you might see his sister and, if you’re lucky, uncle ninja will be around too.
I love Wisdom. And more specifically, I do love me a Lavender Gin and Tonic.
Wisdom has always been my go-to for nights out with moms-to-be, too, because they have so many fantastic mocktails — he has every detail covered. In my experience, its the best menu to suit every taste.