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The recent response to Nichole’s post that Annie & Teddy’s Po’Boys won’t be setting up shop at the corner of Potomac Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue brought lots of disappointed comments from readers but some hopeful words from bar czar Joe Englert about other restaurateurs waiting in the wings. From the busy scene on La Lomita’s patio last weekend and even the favorable eat-in diners at New York Pizza, Hill East-ers love their local dining options and want more of them. Recently I’ve taken to sizing up the vacant commercial spots and imaging what businesses could sprout while I wait out the reopening of Dulce and opening night at Mi Vecindad in the old Pacific Cafe space. Owner Henry Mendoza says they’ll start serving a combo of Cuban, Salvadoran and Mexican food the last weekend of April, so hopefully the march towards a bit more of commercial revival is on the way to the east end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
I was also thrilled to learn a number of “problem (commercial) properties” are changing hands in the area. Realtor John Smith enthusiastically listed off the properties headed towards closing, citing a min-boom in commercial sales on the Hill, including the 1905 building that was formerly barbershop/beauty shop at 1242 Pennsylvania Avenue.
There’s been a lot of news about crime at the 13th Street Sunoco in the last few months, and I worried the broken windows, sagging floor and overall sad façade of the gray porch-front building didn’t bode well for its future. Trulia shows some recent repricing (from $489k to $425k) that demonstrates the seller is motivated; records that show you’re in $3700 in the hole for city taxes will do that. Lo and behold, the two-story gutted building, which has been on the market for three years, is under contract and should go to settlement this month. Smith (you know him, “one Hill of an agent”?) shared the good news along a frightening tale of rats, filling holes with sand, and “enough poison to kill a small town.” He expects that within five months the property will be renovated and at least one of the two units will retain commercial use. Goodbye rats!
Smith had all kinds of good news for this nosy neighbor; a sale is pending at 509 11th Street SE, where professional offices will soon set up shop.
What kind of businesses do you think would be successful in HillEast?
Will Dulce actually reopen?
Also I think a bagel shop would do very well and bring in people from all over, since there are so few bagel places.
If it doesn’t, someone should open a cafe/bakery in that space and match Frager’s hours. There’s not much street traffic after 7pm, but I bet there would be a long line for coffee at 7am.
Another sit-down eatery, a good bar, or a good cafe/bagel/bakery would make a killing around here. There are a lot of folks who shuttle over to 8th or H St for those, & it would be nice to have something closer to home to help solidify the neighborhood. Trustys is great – people already come from across the city to get there – just wish there were a few more diversified options in the area. [It hurts a bit that Wisdom only has capacity for 4 groups until its standing room only.] There are plenty of other locations that someone could take advantage of – imagine what could be done with the old KFC!! I dont think we can turn into the next H/8th, even though we have great metro access & lots of room, but adding a few brunch/lunch/dinner/late night spots would be fantastic & welcomed.