Thanks to a reader for sending word of a “new coffee roaster/cafe” coming to 2904 Georgia Ave, NW. He writes:

“The owner was one of those typical super nice, optimistic Ethiopian guys and stressed that they would have their own coffee roaster. They have the tables and a coffee bar already set up, so it looks like they should be open any day now. I also heard that the same builder of the new nearby Condo, is now going to build a twin condo building on the same block where the auto mechanic currently is located. All this with the Jazz club across the street should make the tiny 2900 Blk of Georgia Ave quite the happening place!”

The Enterprise Theater and Jazz Lounge’s website says:

“Grand Opening. Event consists of 3 days of Music, Theater and Art. Official Kick off is Thursday February 2nd, 3rd and 4th. All events start at 4pm.”

2917 Georgia Ave. NW

633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

@DiningBisnow tweeted some very interesting news last night:

“The very talented @mixtressdc is leaving @PS7sdc, but she tells us she’s got a new “cocktail deli” in the works at 6th and Penn SE”

I’m wondering if 6th and Penn Ave, SE is referring to the former location of Ba Bay which closed in Nov. ’11 at 633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE? Whether it’s that location or another nearby – I can’t wait to learn more about at “cocktail deli”.

Back in Aug. ’11 I heard some scuttlebutt that a Cava Mezze Grill was looking at a location by U St, NW. Turned out it was not that location but Cava did confirm that they were looking for more locations around DC. I have it from a very good source that they have found a location in Columbia Heights. They will be moving into the radiance medspa space at 3105 14th St, NW (I believe radiance will be opening in a new location.)  I’m not exactly sure of the timing of when this will all go down but I give this scuttlebutt a 92% accuracy rating.

Cava Grill is run by the same folks who own Cava Wine Bar located on Barracks Row at 527 8th St SE.

Think Cava will be a good addition to Columbia Heights? You can see their menu here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

This is one of the rare occasions where I actually hope my scuttlebutt is wrong. Unfortunately I’ve heard it from a very good source as well as some other folks who’ve started to hear rumblings. Word on the street is that Capital City Diner will be closing soon at 1050 Bladensburg Road, NE. Capital City Diner opened back in Feb. 2010 after a long journey journey from upstate NY. In May 2011 their back patio opened and things were looking great. I’m not sure if it is the Denny’s that opened nearby at 1250 Bladensberg Rd, NE but I hear that could be part of the problem.

Anyway, I know many many folks really love Capital City Diner so I wanted to share the news as soon as possible. But like I said, in this particular case, I hope I’m wrong.

Update: Sadly, confirmed. From owner Matt Ashburn:

Friends,

We sincerely appreciate your support, patronage, and– most of all– friendship over the past two years. You’re more than customers; you’re our friends and neighbors.

Although we received positive response to our recent improvements, we also encountered rising costs, a declining economy, and a national chain “diner” restaurant opening almost a stone’s throw away. Now, we must refocus and reformat our restaurant to move forward.

This weekend, we’ll open from 7am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday so that we can meet up one last time to say good-bye before we close to reformat and improve our concept.

Again, thank you for your support and encouragement, we’d love to see you one last time at the old diner to say good-bye this weekend.

Sincerely,
Matt & the Capital City Diner crew

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Back in mid-Dec. we learned that the T Street Post Office (14th and Wallach) would be looking for a new location at the end of Feb. somewhere in the U Street neighborhood. Thanks to a reader for sending word that they’ll be moving to the Reeves Center (14th and U St, NW).

It’s not scuttlebutt for H St, NE. Yesterday, H Street Great Street shared the good word that The Daily Rider will be coming to 1108 H St, NE in the Spring.

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The scuttlebutt goes to the possibility of a bike shop in the DCUSA mall in Columbia Heights. Ever since the Elwood Thompson’s debacle, it’s been tough to find out scuttlebutt for new tenants looking into the DCUSA mall on 14th St, NW between Irving and Park Rd. Thanks to a reader for sharing some promising leads they heard.

In addition to a bike shop, they hear a Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is looking as well as a DSW (which we’ve previously spoken about here.)

You like the idea of a Lime Fresh and/or a Bike shop coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights?

Photo of DCUSA by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Back in Sept. 2011 we learned that Fashion One was closing at 700 H St, NE. It’s a huge space and I was really curious to learn who was going to be moving in. I’m happy to share some sweet scuttlebutt that I’ve learned from a very reliable source. Word is – Ace Hardware is in negotiations to take over the lease. I give this an 88% accuracy likelihood.

You think an Ace Hardware store would do well here?

Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

1309 F Street NW

On Wed. DC Eater wrote a post titled, “District Taco To Open Up Somewhere in Metro Center” they report:

Arlington-based food truck District Taco announced in May that it was in the market for a second brick-and-mortar location — one that was actually in the District proper. The taco truck’s fans have been waiting patiently ever since and now there is some good news. The truck tweeted this afternoon that it has secured a location in Metro Center.

While District Taco wouldn’t confirm an exact location in the story above, multiple sources tell me that they will be going into the former Funxion space (note the Funxion sign has come down in the photo above) at 1309 F Street NW. I give this scuttlebutt a 98% accuracy rating.

Any fans of District Taco?

I’ll be sure to update if/as build out progresses.

“Dear PoPville,

I was picking up some Peruvian Chicken last night at Señor Chicken and the man who I believe is the owner was sitting there working on menu’s for “The People’s Noodle Bar” I believe was the name. I asked him about what has become kind of a cult hit, the noodle bar they’ve been doing on Saturday’s and he told me it looks like they might convert to doing that full time and ditch the Peruvian Chicken entirely. I asked him some questions and he said there is a much bigger demand for it and although they make enough money on chicken, it’s not nearly as much as they should be making. It looked like they were preparing the brand. The papers in front of him read “The People’s Noodle Bar: Yes You Can…Slurp.” Maybe it’s just around the corner?”

We spoke about the Secret Ramen Noodle Saturdays at Senor Chicken (14th and Park Rd, NW – on Park) back in Sept. ’11. I spoke with a worker who said for the moment noodles are still only available on Saturdays. He wasn’t aware of plans to switch full time. But this is what the utensil organizer looked like:

I’m so glad you guys like scuttlebutt because this is a really good one…

Chef Mike Isabella seems to be on a roll. First the Italian Graffiato in Chinatown, then yesterday we got word of a new Mexican spot coming to Georgetown, and now I’m hearing rumors of another Isabella spot coming to the/near the new project being built at 14th and W St, NW. Word on the street is that it will be a Greek restaurant but I also heard it could be a pizza spot so who knows. But if a new Chef Mike Isabella spot is coming to 14th and W St, NW – that would be a huge score for the neighborhood.

Cross your fingers that this is reliable scuttlebutt. Obviously this project is pretty far down the road as major construction still needs to be completed but I’ll be sure to share more info if/when it becomes available.

An Italian restaurant? First I heard a Panera would be taking over the space, then I heard a Corner Bakery would be coming to the former Adams Mill Bar and Grill space which closed in Feb. ’11 at 1815 Adams Mill Road, NW. This property is killing my scuttlebutt to fact percentage. Well I’m in too deep to stop speculating now.

A reader sends a very scant report saying that a “new bar” was coming to the space and would probably open in April ’12. But no other details were revealed. So I’ve chatted with folks who usually have pretty good scuttlebutt percentages and they now say they hear an Italian restaurant will be taking over the space. I’m gonna keep digging for more details.

Please keep in mind this only scuttlebutt nothing has been confirmed yet. Back in Aug. ’11 Pizza Hut closed at 1769 Columbia Rd, NW. A reader sends intriguing word that a Ledo Pizza could be moving into the space. You can see Ledo’s menu here. Given the recent addition of Mellow Mushroom and all the other pizza options in Adams Morgan – do you think a Ledo Pizza would do well here?

Photo by PoPville flickr user mediaslave

I’m hearing rumors that Urban Outfitters is considering opening up a store in the U Street neighborhood. They currently have locations in Georgetown and Penn Quarter. So this week’s Friday Question of the Day is a simple one: Do you think Urban Outfitters would be a good fit for the U Street neighborhood? Personally I think they’d do very well on U Street.

Thanks to a reader for sending this potentially sweet news that word on the street is that a new coffee shop could be on the way to the old building at 2904 Georgia Ave, NW (at the corner of Harvard.) It’ll be great to see this old building get fixed up. Though keep in mind that Sankofa Cafe is located nearby at 2714 Georgia Ave, NW.

More info when it becomes available.

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Back in June ’10 Lupe Mexican Cantina opened up in the former Sesto Senso space at 1214 18th St. NW next to Public Bar and near Eighteenth Street Lounge. Word on the street is that the space is going to become a nightclub called MIA but that has not been confirmed.

Were there any fans of Lupe?

Anyone else hear scuttlebutt of a nightclub taking over the space?