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

Dear PoP,

You think you could Post something on the little corner store at the southwest corner of 13th and Otis? It has been closed for two days or so and I’m getting concerned. I love the store and the charming Ethiopian woman who owns it. One time she gave me a free meal when I complemented the wonderful smell of whatever was cooking. I hope the place will be open again soon.

I think it may have been involved in the recent bust by the major narcotics unit of MPD. Anyone else know/hear anything?

UPDATE: A commenter writes:

“The owner went home to Ethiopia until Feb 22/23. No drug bust! It will reopen before the end of the month.”

From a Douglas Development press release:

“Dangerously Delicious Pies will occupy 500 square feet at 901 7th Street, NW. This will be the Baltimore-based pie shop’s second DC location, and is expected to open in April 2012.”

Dangerously Delicious Pies also is located at 1339 H St, NE. You can see their menu here.

9th and I St, NW

Though, I wish I had seen this before I bought the three jade Buddhas and panda shirt. We’ll see how I do in the future…

From Chinatown:

God I wish I had photos of what Lion’s liquors used to look like at 3614 Georgia Ave, NW. It was full of bullet proof glass and grime. This transformation is nothing short of astonishing. I spoke with some workers who said they anticipate opening in the next week or two. Another reader writes in (sending the photo above) and also says they heard they will be opening in 2 weeks.

Does anyone remember what this place used to look/smell like? I truly can’t believe how fantastic this is turning out.

Another amazing transformation, this time at 1240 Upshur St, NW. Annie’s Ace Hardware opens tomorrow Tues. Feb. 7th. I was also pyched to learn there will be a couple of zip car spots.

Full press release after the jump.

America’s most celebrated “helpful place” is opening its doors on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in Washington, DC. The new Annie’s Ace Hardware store, located at 1240 Upshur St., NW, in Washington’s Petworth neighborhood, will bring the company’s unique blend of nationally recognized customer service and quality home improvement knowledge and products to District residents.

Annie’s Ace Hardware is the first store opened by local resident and owner Anne Stom. The store has been designed to reflect the needs of Petworth and surrounding neighborhoods. “Our mission is to provide customers with convenience combined with superior service through one-on-one expert advice and assistance.” says Stom. “We are committed to becoming a helpful and valuable neighbor to the community, both inside and outside the walls of our store.” Many of the employees hired to staff the store are from the Petworth, Park View, and Columbia Heights neighborhood.

The 6,000 square-foot store is packed with thousands of essential products and supplies, including some of the most respected brand names and best-selling items in the home improvement marketplace. Key product offerings include Benjamin Moore paint, Craftsman tools, hardware, electrical, plumbing, and housewares as well as pet supplies, bicycle parts, and “green” products. Annie’s Ace Hardware will also offer key cutting, screen repair, glass and Plexiglas cutting, and propane exchange and will have a substantial lawn and garden section, which will feature native plants.

Stom said that community enthusiasm for the store has been gratifying. “We believe our store will provide excellent services to the area and will help build our local business community,” she said. “The feedback we’ve gotten from area residents since we announced our business has been overwhelming.”

Stom said she’s been pleased to be able to patronize other local businesses and entrepreneurs as the store readies to launch, including Rapid Reprographics and DC Shirt and Print. In addition, Stom hired a local artist, Torie Partridge, to design three large murals which now adorn the front windows of the store. The murals depict store offerings, as well as maps of the neighborhoods Stom expects to serve.

Getting to the store will be easy for District residents. It’s a short walk from the Georgia Avenue/ Petworth Metro on the Green Line and near several bus lines. A Capital Bikeshare station recently opened a block away, on the east side of Georgia Avenue and Upshur Street. And Stom has arranged to have two parking spaces for the car-sharing business Zip Car at the store.

“It’s been an incredible experience to interact with so many local residents and businesses as we’ve readied to launch the store,” Stom said. “We can’t wait to finally open!”

A grand opening celebration will take place the weekend of March 30 – April 1, to coincide with the launch of the spring season.

Annie’s Ace Hardware Store Info:

Store Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address & Phone: 1240 Upshur Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 202-726-BOLT (2658)
Located between 13th Street and Georgia Avenue across from Roosevelt High School athletic field; plenty of free parking.

Back in Oct. 2011 I first spotted a sign that a new Charcuterie & Salumi called Three Little Pigs was coming to 5111 Georgia Ave, NW next to the Petworth Fire Station. At the time I said, ‘Holy lord – this could be very very awesome.’ After peeking in the shop and talking with owners Jason and Carolina, allow me to amend my take – holy lord this is gonna be absolutely freaking amazing. I honestly and truly believe this may be the best thing, forget about Petworth, this may be the best thing to hit DC in years. It’s something everyone’s been craving – local, independent, and (from the sound of it) delicious.

So at the outset let me say they have an unbelievably good Website. You will find absolutely everything you can possibly want to know there, including some menu options, lots of background info on the store and owners Jason and Carolina, you can learn about the the farms where the food comes from and lots more.

What you won’t be able to learn from the website is the fact that Jason and Carolina are two of the most passionate, knowledgeable and kind proprietors you will ever meet. And you’re gonna be able to find that out for yourself if you’d like – this Sat. they are having a pre-preview open house at the shop (5111 Georgia Ave, NW) where you can learn all about their plans and see an artist put up a mural:

So when will they open for real? If all goes well they will be open in about a month. Like I said, the Website explains the vision and plans much better than I can but some things that I’ll emphasize – these people are not amateurs. The sophistication of the whole set up is truly impressive. Check out the 600 pound smoker:

It is equally as sophisticated as NORAD:

Other things we can look forward to in the future – classes, family style dinners, pickled treats including kimchi, homemade sodas, homemade mustards, homemade dried pastas, and obviously most importantly hand sliced everything.

Obviously we’re gonna have to taste stuff but if it’s as good as it sounds, well, I think it is safe to say this place will contribute significantly to the beautiful life. Stop by Sat. to say hi and see the potential for yourself.

Back in Nov. 2011 we learned that an organic juice bar and market was coming to 3706 Macomb St, NW. They quietly opened a couple weeks ago:

You can see their menu here.

Ironically, some of the wood used in the store was reclaimed from Hawk n Dove:

I was psyched to learn that BakeHouse is coming to 14th and T St, NW. I emailed owner Niall Cooper for some details and she writes:

We are in the final stages of lease negotiations for a space in a new build on T street, right off 14th (behind Policy, across T St from Room and Board). The development is due for completion in the Fall, to be built by Eichberg Construction. The one-story post office is part of the same project, but our shop will be located in a new building that will be constructed in the small empty lot next door.

Our menu will consist of house-made baked goods and high quality coffees and teas. We’ll serve updated classics with modern flavor profiles.

We took part in the last the Grey DC Market, which was a great success, and we hope to do more markets over the coming months.

Sounds great. I’ll let everyone know when the next market is scheduled. They project to open in 213 days and counting. Think this’ll be a good fit for 14th and T St, NW?

Last week I mentioned that a new dry cleaners had opened up at 3903 Georgia Ave, NW by Qualia coffee. Speaking with the owner the other day revealed a couple of interesting potential plans for the second floor. He is considering leasing the space to a yoga studio or possibly opening up a Chipotle style restaurant. Which would you rather have? If you think a Yoga studio do you think two yoga studios could survive since one just opened up at 4804 Georgia Ave, NW.