Great news for the neighborhood via Prince of Petworth: Bloomingdale is getting a bar. Although folks have been hoping that Baraki will get their act together, construction there has come to a halt due to financing issues. Meanwhile, Stuart Davenport notified his fellow ANC 5C commissioners earlier this month of his intent to apply for a liquor license for Big Bear Cafe, but in what might be a come-from-behind victory, it looks like Rustik Neighborhood Tavern will be the first one serving drinks in 2010.
The owner, Diton Pashaj, told me that there are still a few hurdles to clear and some construction to be completed but his description sounds like just what many residents of Bloomingdale are craving. He hopes the space will be ready to open in May. Here are some details:
- Yes, we will have food
- Yes, we will do brunch
- Happy hour... check
- Yes, we will have outdoor seating
- Jukebox... no problem
- Yes, it will be a cozy, neighborhood bar
- Yes, we will have many delicious kinds of draft beer, and a wine or two for you wine lovers
- Yes, we will be active participants in the Bloomingdale community.
Rustik will be taking over the space next to Yoga District on First Street NW, as seen below. It's a shame that the owners of the big yellow building on the corner of Seaton Place NW and First Street NW are apparently difficult to work with, as that would make a wonderful space for a restaurant, but it's great to hear that Bloomingdale's little commercial district—which is smack-dab in the middle of the neighborhood—is growing.
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14 comments:
That would be fantastic. I hate to be pesimistic after reading this good news, but after waiting so long for Baraki I kind of feel as though I'll believe it when I see it...
please be true, please be true, please be true, please be true....
Clicking my heels.
That is great that Baraki will be opening soon, but I have wonder if I would go there because of all the hanging out and loitering that occurs on that block now. I wouldn't feel comfortable coming or going if I was going to be dealing with panhandlers and vagrants
Anon, please relax. With more people out and about, the vagrants move on. They work in darker, single pedestrian routes, and when there is a crowd, sure you have a few beggars, where in DC don't you, but the gang of kids and drunks will move on. People will just call the police on them and have them moved, along with their black bags of single beer and booze. This is only progress.
BTW, Baraki is vaporware. It is not opening soon, they only tease to confuse and prevent other businesses from opening before them. They will likely never open, at least not in 2010. There other restaurant on 11th is a flop, so they are scratching their heads over what to do and where to get some money. B'dale is not in their cards for 2010. Bring on the competition...
Very exciting, but yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.
Regarding the comment about panhandlers/vagrants--It is crucial that this or any restaurant/bar is embraced not only by the blogreading/hipster/gentrifying set, but by the neighborhood as a whole. It will never be succesful without doing that. Regardless, being sandwhiched in between two liquir stores will make things interesting...
Amen to the second Anon posting. These "vagrants and beggars" that the first Anon is so worried about are mostly harmless. A year ago I was part of a play that rehearsed in the yoga space next door and it was an all female cast. We rehearsed after dark and - yes - even went out onto the sidewalk to recite lines when we needed to break into small groups.
I have been harassed on occasion, but it's nothing I can't handle and let's be honest: those folks on the sidewalk are our neighbors, too. And I'm sure Mr. Singh of Bloomingdale Liquors will appreciate the increased foot traffic going by his shop!
i wouldn't call their other restaurant on 11th a flop. i've noticed a steadily increasing amount of customers at veranda every time i go by there.
@ Anonymous - you wouldn't feel comfortable dealing with people who have lived here for decades? Then why would you move here?
Exact reason why, we as residents of decades, dislike the influx of people coming in. You don't care about us, our culture, or anything to have to do with us.
..and for the record, quit calling us vagrants. Say what you want - you dislike us because we are black, don't have your kind of money, and don't look like you.
That's what you're saying. God, ya'll gentrys kill me.
anon 12:10, 12;13,
are these the upstanding cultured citizens you are referring to?
http://imgoph.blogspot.com/2008/11/1823-1st-street-nwbloomingdales-public.html
because that's the type of activity that leads one to call people "vagrants".
only your ignorance leads you to believe that "vagrants" is a euphemism for "black".
and if that's you as you allude to, please stop pissing on things.
Anonymous @ 5:51 you are a racist.
anon 10:17: you're cowardly, use a name.
there's no way in hell the commenter before said anything racist. sorry.
Better, imgoph? Come see me if you think I'm a coward.
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