Business Ins & Outs: 3000 M, The Poppy; Saxbys
By • June 5, 2023 0 2455
Out: Remaining Structure at 3000 M Being Demolished
The rusting metal skeleton of the remains of the Latham Hotel at 3000 M St. NW is being taken down, piece by piece.
The work is by GCS-Sigal, along with Grunley, which did the initial demolition in 2017. (The property was also the site of Michel Richard’s Citronelle and La Madeleine Bakery.)
The property owner is Thor Equities, which told the Georgetown Advisory Neighborhood Commission at its December 2022 meeting that plans call for a new building with such features as 97 hotel rooms, 9,600 feet of retail along M Street, a restaurant with expansive windows overlooking the Mule Yard providing “a nice urban design for the project,” valet services to an off-site contracted garage and Uber and Lyft pick-up and drop-off zones. The developers will also be offering a “public benefits package” of $600,000 to the D.C. Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $400,000 for C&O Towpath improvements between 31st and 34th Streets NW, and a guarantee that at least 51 percent of the 150 to 200 hotel jobs expected on the project go to District residents.
After years as an eyesore, the property should celebrate a groundbreaking for a new structure before the end of the year.
Full demolition begins at 3000 M St. NW. Georgetowner photo.
In: The Poppy on P Replaces the Avery
The cozy and intimate boutique guesthouse Avery Georgetown has undergone a rebrand of sorts. Nico Vroom, general manager, told The Georgetowner that the venue at 2616 P St. NW would be officially “in bloom” as The Poppy Georgetown Guesthouse and Gardens come June. And it has.
It was “love at first sight” when TBC Hotels acquired the property in February 2022, said Emily McAuley, director of digital strategy and communications for TBC Hotels. As the acquisition developed, it became apparent that TBC Hotels wanted to offer something “a little different, a little extra.”
The Poppy at 2616 P St. NW. Georgetowner photo.
Out: Saxbys, a Hoya Favorite, Replaced by Coffee Republic
This news is a shocker for some Georgetown University students, past and present: Saxbys Coffee abruptly departed the corner of 35th & O and has been placed by Coffee Republic. The Rockville-based business is now in Georgetown — having taken over the Saxbys space during Reunion Weekend.
Saxbys told The Georgetowner: “Georgetown has been a special place for Saxbys. For the last 16 years, we’ve had the true honor and privilege of being a staple in the neighborhood, serving guests and the community at large,” said Russ Wilkin, Saxbys Senior Vice President of Brand & Cafes. “Sadly, our franchise partners decided it was time to move on from the location, and we wish the best of luck to both them and the new occupants of the space. While this chapter may have come to an end, we hope to be back in the future as we grow The Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform across the region.”
“Don’t mind the transition,” announced Coffee Republic, which tells us it “is a premier coffee shop that has been serving the finest quality coffee since 2003. Our mission is to provide our customers with a rich and flavorful coffee experience that is unmatched by any other coffee shop.” (The business has nothing to do with the Coffee Republic that operates in Europe and the Middle East.)
Saxbys opened at 3500 O St. NW in 2006, replacing Sugar’s Campus Store which had occupied the spot for 85 years.
Moved: Say Cheese! to Thomas Jefferson St.
The 2900 M project has forced the neighborhood favorite Say Cheese!, formerly at at 1132 29th St. NW, to move because of major reconstruction that will begin at the southern side of the 2900 block of M Street NW. Business owner Suzy Nabil has found a new place for serving her grilled cheese sandwiches, salads and soups. It’s two blocks to the west at 1071 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, next to the Graham Hotel.
Coming Next Year: Pacci’s Trattoria on Penn.
Pacci’s Trattoria — with spots in Capitol Hill and Silver Spring — will be setting up another location at 2824 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, former space of luxury British retailer, Sterling & Burke Ltd. Expect Pacci’s to open next year: “Influenced by the Neapolitan tradition and a passion for fine food, our philosophy is simple: to use fresh and high quality ingredients, to prepare our food as Nonna taught us, and to serve it with love. Our wood-fired pizza ovens are what make our hand-crafted pizzas come alive with flavor and bring inspiration to the rest of our menu.”
ICYMI: Take Another Bite of Apple
The Apple Store at 1229 Wisconsin Ave. NW reopened a weekend ago after a few months of renovation. No word on the availability of any new VR headsets.
