Prince Of Petworth » 1314 9th Street, NW – Displaying its History and Looking Good

1314 9th Street, NW – Displaying its History and Looking Good

Thanks to a reader for sending the word on this cool space. I was lucky enough to run into owner, Lisa Fricano, who told me she was “holding out for something special” on the retail space. She’d love to see it turn into a bookstore or an art space. And what’s super cool is that she is a big fan of the history of the building. She told me it was once a disco in the 70s called “The Jerk”. Too cool. Building on her love of history she has placed historic pictures and items in the front window.

I also love the copper:

You can pick up a postcard of the spot that has a picture from 1931 on the front and a poem about the building on the back:

A hardworking gal in her prime
Times a comeback for 2009,
Her vacant-eyed slumber
Didn’t soften her lumber,
And her penny is now worth a dime.

Much lamented by those who had seen her,
While around her Shaw’s main streets got cleaner,
She drew on reserve,
To renew and preserve,
Her unconventional, centered demeanor.

Lots more photos after the jump.

The sign above is from is from 1946:

There’s even a really faded sweet city sign on the side:

Category: Architecture, Buildings, Shaw

By: Prince Of Petworth | 20 May 2009 11:00 AM | 6 Comments

tonysmallframe

The building is beautiful! It’s good to hear that she is holding out for a neighborhood based tenent – word on the street for a while was that a bank was moving in.

May 20, 2009 at 11:09 am
SG

Amazing renovation. Kudos to Lisa!

PoP- you should post the “before” pic from RenewShaw

May 20, 2009 at 11:26 am
Angry Parakeet

Are those bullet holes in the sign?

May 20, 2009 at 11:44 am
Logan Girl

I just passed this last week and was wondering what was going to open there….guess have to wait a bit longer.

May 20, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Lisa

I’m Lisa, 1/3 of the owners of these props (mom-me-my husband). Nice to have met you PoP, great blog, and thanks!! I lived in one or the other of these buildings from 1989 to 1993. Then moved out, couldn’t get good tenants, got disconnected from them, tried to unsuccessfully sell them, and now have fallen in love with them all over again. And the area has become so positive and friendly. Lots of folk with Big Ideas and super attitudes. I’m having a blast.

1314 is fully rented now. The office tenant is an established architect/developer, and the retail storefront is a wonderful young photographer/bartender whose ideas are too hip for me to understand but whose enthusiasm and persistence won him a shot. In 1314 1/2 I’m hoping for a short order cheap restaurant.

If curious about the b&w framed photo go to shorpy.com. For 1314 search Tom’s Lunch.

In response to the responses: tonysmallframe- Thanks! Yes tenants are very local. Douglas Dev.’s The Exchange 9th&N is the one getting a bank on the entire first floor street level. SG Thanks for the kudos!! The ‘before’ pics on renewshaw shamed me and inspired me to get going on this. Oh angry parakeet simmer down- Not bullet holes, places for the light bulbs. LoGirl Yup just a bit longer.

May 23, 2009 at 12:33 am
IMGoph

sad to hear that the bank will have the entire corner of 9th and N. that means the building will be dead after 6 pm.

May 24, 2009 at 11:23 am