Thanks to a reader for sending. The new Oriental Rug store is located at 2625 Connecticut Ave, NW, former home to the souvenir shop that closed in May 2011.

May 2011

Photo by PoPville flickr user oddlittlebird.

From WMATA:

Metro will advance major rebuilding work over the weekend of January 27-29. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday.

Red Line

Crews will continue to advance NTSB-recommended track circuit replacement, a key step toward restoring automatic train operations. This weekend’s work will take place between Dupont Circle and Van Ness, with buses replacing trains between those two stations. Two stations — Woodley Park and Cleveland Park — will be closed, with alternate shuttle service provided.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday, shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Dupont Circle and Van Ness.
Red Line trains will operate between Shady Grove and Van Ness and between Dupont Circle and Glenmont. During daytime hours, every other train from Dupont Circle will turn back at Silver Spring.
Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations will be closed.
Customers traveling through the work zone should allow about 25 minutes of additional travel time. All other customers should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.

Carbon was located at 2643 Connecticut Ave, NW in Woodley Park. While their Web site is no longer active, their Facebook page said they closed Dec. 27th and the description said:

In early 2011, Katherine Limon, DC’s eco-fashion stylist behind My Signature Look LLC, acquired Carbon as the vehicle to bring more eco-fashions to the DC area. Carbon offers functional yet chic men’s and women’s shoes produced by small brands and clothing, accessories, and handbags by local and international independent designers using sustainable materials and/or methods in their production. Carbon – your destination for sustainable style!

Another incredible transformation. Hard to imagine this used to be Jandara located at 2606 Connecticut Ave. NW in Woodley Park. I stopped in on Monday and (I’ve been following the construction every few weeks) I know I say this a lot but seriously – the place looks amazing. They soft opened earlier this week. Anyone stop by? To start dining hours (the bar can stay open later) are 5-10pm during the week and 5-11pm on weekends.

What do you think of the build out? The menu?

Lots more photos including a look at the opening week menu after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

Dear PoPville,

I read the letter towards the beginning of December regarding a rash of car break-ins in Mt. Pleasant, and wanted to let you know about a similar incident that happened outside my apartment in Woodley Park. My boyfriend parked his car overnight on Woodley Place (around the corner from Calvert and Connecticut). Sometime between 9pm and 10:30am, someone smashed his back window and stole his work laptop. They also removed his gym bag (we found the contents strewn across the alley nearby) but didn’t take anything from it. There was also a bunch of sports equipment in the trunk, but they didn’t touch any of it.

I have always considered our neighborhood one of the safest in DC, and was pretty shocked that this happened. On a related note, about a month ago, we got an e-mail from our building manager saying that our door would now be locked 24 hours a day and require your key fob to access at all times (there is also a 24-hour door person, but the entrance would typically be left unlocked during the day and only require the key fob at night). I’ve asked our manager if there was any particular impetus for the change, and he gave me a vague answer about the neighborhood “changing,” and told me not to prop our doors open when we go to the laundry or trash rooms in the building. I was curious if any readers know of a specific incident that may have triggered this extra security, or if there has been a reported increase in crime in the Woodley area.

Ed. Note: A good reminder and not but blaming the victim but never, ever, leave a lap top or any electronics in your car overnight. Also never leave any bags visible in your car even if they have nothing of value.

As for general crime in Woodley Park – the day [Jan. 2] I looked at this email (and it could be a coincidence) I saw the following tweets from DCPoliceDept:

“Robbery Fear_1944 hrs_3100 Block of Catherdral Ave, NW_Lookout is for 2 B/M’s, 5’7-5’8′”

and

“Robbery Force and Violence_1930 hrs_3000Block of 32nd St, NW_2 males of unknown race”

Like I said that could’ve just been odd timing. Personally, I still feel extremely safe whenever I am in Woodley Park (which is often.) In fact not once (knock wood, knock wood) have I ever experienced an uncomfortable incident in Woodley Park. It is very rare that I hear about crime in Woodley Park aside from car break ins.

The new CVS coming to the corner of Connecticut Ave and Calvert is looking wild. The previous retail spaces that housed a real estate office, a liquor store and a rug store have been completely demoed:

Hard to tell from the photo but I believe it! A reader took the shot above on Connecticut Ave near the zoo. Today is also set for a balmy 52 degrees. Anyone else see trees blooming? Of course, this probably isn’t a good thing. Will this affect their normal spring blooms?

Noodles and Company is located in the old Sake Club space at 2635 Connecticut Ave, NW. Yesterday was their first day open. You can see their menu here.

Still no word on what will become of the old Cafe International space next door.

Café Sorriso is coming to 2311 Calvert St, NW in the former House of Philly pizza spot in Woodley Park. According to a recent liquor license application it will be a:

“New restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner specializing in homemade gelato, deserts, and coffees. Recorded music. Occupancy load is 49. Sidewalk Cafe has 20 seats.”

No we just have to see who moves into the former Cafe de Paris space on the 2nd floor which has been closed since March ’09.

Photo by PoPville reader GC

More new signs this week. Thanks to everyone who sent emails and especially GC for sending the photos. The space at 2635 Connecticut Ave, NW has come a long way since construction started back in July ’11.

Still waiting to see who comes next door at the old Cafe International space:

Photo by PoPville reader GC

This rental is located at 1936 Calvert St NW:

View Larger Map

The Craigslist ad says:

“Large 1 Bedroom English Basement Apartment (~800 ft2) available November 15. Front entrance to Calvert street with secure area for bicycle etc. Back entrance to garden / alley. Dishwasher, a/c, washer/dryer for unit.”

$1625 sound right?

Another milestone for Noodles and Company coming to 2635 Connecticut Ave, NW in the old Sake Club space.

The liquor license application says:

“Fast-casual themed restaurant serving global noodles dishes, salads, and desserts. No Live Entertainment. Sidewalk Cafe with 16. Seating capacity is 76. Total occupancy load is 121.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Sanjay Suchak

“Dear PoPville,

I just wanted to share a story of heroism from the other night.

As I was closing up at my job in Woodley Park, around 9pm, I set my bike outside and went back inside to set the alarm. 30 seconds later, I was back outside and my bike was gone. Panicing, I call my boss, then 911. About 10 minutes later, I’m on the phone with my boyfriend when I see a man ride by on my bicycle. I dropped the phone and ran down Calvert Street towards Connecticut Avenue, chasing him and yelling for him to drop the bike. Soon, about 17 pedistrians and restaurant patrons followed, running across the street after the thief. Part of this pack was a man on his own bicycle. The thief turns and rides down the grassy hill into Rock Creek Park, and the man on his bicycle follows him. After about 5 minutes, my hero walked out of the park with his own bike under one arm, and mine under the other. After debriefing with the cops, I learned that my hero was Dave, and he is a station tech for Capital Bikeshare.

Dave is amazing, as are the other folks from the Woodley neighborhood who jumped in to help stop the thief. Thanks to all of the good people in this great city who go above and beyond to help a stranger. Special props to Bikeshare for hiring such an awesome guy.

Side note: During the reporting after my bike was recovered, the police received 2 more calls about bike thefts within the neighborhood. Not sure what this is about, but clearly someone is after bikes in Woodley. Keep your bikes locked!”

Now folks who live near Connecticut Ave and Calvert St, NW have another, albeit smaller, option to get Cowgirl Creamery cheeses. Sherry’s keeps getting better and better.

Sherry’s is located at 2627 Connecticut Ave, NW.

Cowgirl Creamery has a proper outpost in Penn Quarter at 919 F Street, NW.

Tom Sietsema broke the news yesterday:

“A little more than a year after he left Mendocino Grille & Wine Bar in Georgetown to pursue a place of his own, chef Drew Trautmann has secured a 75-seat property at 2606 Connecticut Ave. NW. Trautmann plans to convert the Thai-flavored Jandara into the American-themed District Kitchen in October.

The chef had hopes of opening on the Hill, where he lives, but says that his spot in Woodley Park offers several advantages: two major hotels nearby, lots of foot traffic and a Metro stop.”

I spoke with the owner of Jandara who said that he’d try to stay open for 2-3 more weeks. I asked him if he planned on reopening elsewhere in DC and while he said it was possible, he’s gonna take a breather. He also said if he does reopen that it would likely be in Virginia or Maryland. Anyone gonna miss Jandara?

Jandara is located at 2606 Connecticut Ave, NW right next to the recently opened Italian Pizza Kitchen.