Photo by PoPville flickr user jsmjr

“Dear PoP,

What is the value of a covered parking space between Logan and Dupont Circle? I’ve heard anywhere from 25-50k. Also, when determining price per sq ft for condos, is parking factored in (i.e. 650 sq. ft. condo at 400k = 615/sq ft, but 650 sq ft condo at 400k – 40k for parking = $550/ sq ft.)?

Hope you (or the loyal readers) can help!”

and

“Now that we’ve dealt with basement rental apts. can we find out about renting a parking space? I’m about to rent out a space behind my house – should I have some kind of lease or other agreement? Can we both just sign a general “Nothing that may ever happen to your car for any reason will ever be my fault or liability” kind of thing?”

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Folks will remember that Kultura used to have a shop on Connecticut Ave a few years ago before the owners temporarily moved to California. Three weeks ago they reopened on Connecticut Ave. and back in Nov. they opened a shop at 4918 Wisconsin Ave., NW up in Tenleytown. I’m sure many folks would love to see them also up a shop on 11th Street, NW or on Georgia Ave. Their Web site says:

“KULTURAs books is a general secondhand, out of print and rare books store specializing in Art, Architecture, Photography, Film, Fine literature for all ages and modern 1st editions. We also carry a fairly deep selection of global area studies, inclusive of United States history, Political and Economic theory, as well as Poetry, Philosophy, Music, Science, Psychology, Travel, Cooking and Gardening books. We attempt to carry just about any foreign language to English dictionaries we can get our hands on and a boast a very, very good selection of books in French and Spanish.

We buy books for store trade at both the Dupont Circle and Tenleytown locations.

If you must donate books, then we must give you store trade, as we feel it is only fair, which amount of course you are free to use or not. But you could also assign it to a friend’s name, which we will keep on file, for him or her to use, thus a sort of gift certificate.”

These folks really are super cool. So let me know who wants to start the petition for a location of a third store if they decide to open another…

Couple more pictures of the jump. Read Full Post

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A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Dupont Circle was getting a new coffee shop called Filter located at 1726 20th St, NW. I was able to swing by and chat with owner Rasheed Jabr on Friday.

Filter has received nearly all of their permits and hopes to open this Thursday, March 12th. It might be worth calling just to make sure they’re open if you want to stop by on Thurs. (202-234-5837). Filter will be open from 7am – 7pm seven days a week.

This is a proper coffee shop along the lines of Peregrine, Qualia, Mid City Caffe etc.

In addition to coffee, tea will also be available as will some pastries. While bagels will not be available, they will be providing daily fresh Faselle (a type of bread) that can be served with butter, jam and/or cream cheese.

And of course Wifi will be available.

As always the photos will do more justice than I can:

More photos after the jump including coffee and tea menus. Read Full Post

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1223, located at 1223 Connecticut Ave, NW closed back in Jan. ‘09. Speaking with some neighbors they thought a restaurant was going in. I’ll be sure to keep my eye on this space and will update as more info becomes available. It is encouraging to see all the approval permits on the window…

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Sign of the Whale is located at 1825 M Street, NW. I’m not sure if they’re trying to keep up with the recent upgrade of former neighbor the Madhatter but I couldn’t really tell what was different. Perhaps just the logo is changing? When I peeked inside on Sunday the place was too crowded to bother a bartender. I guess they still have 10 days to make some changes… Anyone know the scoop here?

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Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up on this new coffee shop coming to 1726 20th St, NW between R & S in Dupont. Their Web site says they’ll open in Winter of ‘09 and I’ll be sure to update when that happens.

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We first learned that Madhatter was moving to 1321 Conn. Ave, NW from M Street back in October. It opened up last week and I have to say the place looks amazing. First of all it is huge. It takes up two adjoining storefronts:

On the first floor (upon entering) it has a great huge bar:

The opposite side (in the first photo) has a nice distinct dining section. You can see their menus here. Quite a difference from the previous look, yeah? Continues with lots more photos after the jump. Read Full Post

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It looks like the building on P Street just west of Dupont Circle is nearing completion. It still looks like some work is going on inside but certainly the outside can be judged. Overall thumbs up or down?

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This rental is located at 2100 Connecticut Ave, NW:

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The Craigslist ad says:

“This spectacular efficiency apartment will be ready for move-in on approximately March 1st. Features include:
- Parquet floors
- Walk-in closet
- Solarium
- 450 square feet
- Gas, water & electric included in rent
- Apartment is pre-wired for telephone, internet and cable
- Fitness center
- Roof deck
- On-site laundry
- Resident-Controlled access”

Does $1325 for an “Efficiency in an Art Deco Building” building sound reasonable? Remember there’s a Solarium!

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Best Cellars is located at 1643 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

“Dear PoP,

I was in the Dupont Best Cellars wine store yesterday and noticed that everything is 20-25% off. When I asked what the occasion was, they told me they are closing. Why? Because the rent is too high. They also told me the space they are in will be taken over by a cell phone store.

So to sum up, the neighborhood is losing a great little wine store and is “gaining” a cell phone store that I’m guessing most of us would gladly do without. I don’t know who the owners of that building are but thanks for absolutely nothing. Way to put lining your pockets ahead of what’s best for the neighborhood.

Regards,
Depressed in Dupont”

I also called to confirm that they were closing and it is indeed the case. The last day in their current location will be Feb. 13th however they are looking for new retail space. When they find a new location I’ll be sure to update.

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The Embassy of Mozambique on the 1500 block of New Hampshire Ave, NW is fantastic. And of course whenever I see the name Mozambique it makes me think of the great Bob Dylan:

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From an email:

“An introduction to social tango for the curious and cautious! A taste of partner connection, tango vocabulary, dance floor navigation and tango musicality. This is a single one-hour session offered weekly before the Tuesday Milonga at 18th Street Lounge. A restored town house mansion, the Lounge has been legendary in DC nightlife for years. ESL is an enticing environment for dancers, with original hardwood flooring, high ceilings, and comfy antique couches and chairs all around. We are in the Gold Room, behind the curtain just off the main floor.

8-9pm, Tuesdays
taught by Sharna Fabiano
@ 18th St. Lounge, 1212 18th St. NW (METRO: Dupont or Farragut North)
Cost: $10

For more information about Tango Mercurio and Argentine Tango in DC: http://www.tangomercurio.org/“

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This sweet bike rack is from outside the Dupont South metro station. I’m sure it’s been there for a bit but this weekend was the first time I spotted it.

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“Dear PoP,

I took my dog to the 17th & S dog park this morning and found a ring shining in the snow. I figure its owner lost it and probably wants it back – looks like a wedding ring. Anyway, I posted on craiglist and thought you might provide a link to that post:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/laf/1519570782.html.”

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We learned the shop was coming back in early Sept.. This is also the same building where POSH consignment store recently opened. Here’s a note I received from the owner:

“We are located at 1828 on 18th Street between T and Swann, across from Lauriol Restaurant. Ansonia Wines grows out of a small, family run business specializing in French wines. For the past few years Ansonia Imports has supplied wine to some of Washington’s finest restaurants, including CityZen, Citronelle, Komi, Obelisk and Central. Now the Ansonia Wines retail store will bring such wines to individual wine lovers in DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood. The majority of our wines come from Burgundy, but we also sell wines from the Alsace, the Rhone, Bordeaux and Italy.

We offer hand-selected wines, from winemakers we know. We think that people enjoy their wine a little more when they know something about who made it and where it came from – in our store you’ll find books, maps, and photographs with our producers, all designed to bring our customers closer to the producers that make their wine. We insist on complete climate control for all of our wines through the entire journey from vineyard to our store. Our wines are as fresh as they are at the domaine.

We had a soft opening this past Saturday, and are open from 10:30am-8:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday. We are planning an open house event Saturday December 12th where we will open a larger number and range of wines throughout the day.

More information can also be found at our website, www.AnsoniaWines.com, or on our blog: ansoniawines.blogspot.com.”

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