Comments on: Cleveland Park Getting Its Groove Back

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:17:22 +0000

what kinds of places did laurie collins ruin for Cleveland Park? I only know of the places that she ruined for MTP. such as the wine bar that is now going to open on 11th. I know she had to leave MTP cause I believe her husband divorced her crazy as and got a restraining order. Now a Cleveland Park resident she continues to keep MTP down but it would not surprise me at all if she is doing her best to fuck up cleveland park as well. those damn irish bars and their music!!!

By: EMP

EMP — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:12:08 +0000

Jimmy D is right. Cleveland Park liquors has good selection and good prices (especially compared to the everything behind bullet-proof glass places in CH & Petworth) and the wine guru there gives great recommendations and is extremely knowledgeable.

By: Nita

Nita — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:45:51 +0000

I’m with Jimmy D. Another liquor store is not necessary with Cleveland Park liquors right there.

By: Neener

Neener — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:57:15 +0000

Thanks. It was a Mt Pleasant resident who told me that she was on the bankroll of some NIMBYs who paid her to make things go their way.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:22:53 +0000

neener: Laurie Collins is almost single-handedly responsible for keeping Mt. Pleasant Street a third world slum, but I believe she just lives in Cleveland Park, where she has far less clout.

By: Solives

Solives — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:54:06 +0000

Something like Best Cellars proabbly wouldn’t do bad. It’s also going to be right next to the (nasty) McGruders, so that will bring in people shopping for dinner. Best Cellars was nice to live near in Dupont, b/c I always knew I’d get something good, even if the selection wasn’t that broad. The other shop near best cellers on CT and Q, which has a great selection, I wouldn’t go to because of the one blonde jerkwad who works there. His attitude was never welcoming. It was demeaning.

By: Jimmy D

Jimmy D — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:23:38 +0000

Cleveland Park Liquors less than a block away is something of an institution in that neighborhood – great selection and excellent service. Seems like a gamble putting up a new wine-only shop so close.

My prediction: new wine shop offers all the bells and whistles, but never develops a solid enough customer base to stay afloat. Basically, the exact same fate that the wine shop next to Metro Liquors on Columbia Rd suffered recently. Then again, I have been wrong before.

By: Toby

Toby — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:15:59 +0000

Shoot, I miss the old Blockbusters and certainly the What’s a Bagel.

By: monkeyrotica

monkeyrotica — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:01:35 +0000

I miss the Kenny Rogers Roasters. That, and the old original Roma. That was some tasty pizza.

By: Matvey

Matvey — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:10:53 +0000

That shopping center hit the skids in a big way about 2 years ago, losing the Blockbuster, Whatsa Bagel, and a couple other places in pretty quick succession (the Thai restaurant also changed ownership, but kept the format, so it was less noticeable). The block right below the Park and Shop also has a ton of empty storefronts, including the former McDonald’s space, which is going on (wait for it)… *5* years of vacancy this summer. The Radio Shack, the Ritz Camera, and some bar closed, as well. Apparently, the rents are extremely high, and any new food establishment needs some sort of zoning overlay exemption, and all of that is combining to drive away any new business. Don’t mock Cleeps, though; there are plenty of middle-class renters there (myself formerly included), it’s accessible from Mt.P/C-Heights via the H buses, and the development is concentrated around the Metro, which means it can serve as a destination, not just for the area residents. DC is a better place by having more thriving commercial districts.