NewsBytes
By • January 13, 2026 0 157
Human Remains Found at Volta Park
During the Department of Parks and Recreation’s renovation of the Volta Park baseball field, human bones were found, halting work there.
The park was formerly the Old Presbyterian Burying Ground, with 3,000 persons interred between 1802 and 1867. When the cemetery was closed, by 1900, around half the bodies were disinterred — many to Oak Hill.
Last week, DPR said in a statement: “DPR is working closely with the City Archaeologist and our contracted archaeologist to move forward with an approved plan to respectfully reinter disarticulated human remains discovered at Volta Park. The site has been further secured. DPR anticipates completing drainage work by the end of winter, with field restoration underway for a spring reopening once the grass is established.”
130-Year-Old Scheele’s to Close by July 31
Daniel Hong of Scheele’s Market. Photo by Robert Devaney.
Scheele’s Market at 1331 29th St. NW will likely close by July 31, business owner Daniel Hong told The Georgetowner last week. The issue involves a tenant-landlord dispute.
For 130 years, Scheele’s Market has occupied the corner of 29th and Dumbarton Streets, serving the neighborhood for generations as the go-to grocery store. Indeed, a few years ago, through an agreement with the property owner, neighbors contributed to a special fund to ensure that the building would remain a market. But this is no longer the case.
“I love my customers and our neighborhood,” the optimistic Hong said as he acknowledged his Georgetowner of the Year award in 2024.
Everard’s Clothing Will Soon Shut Its Doors
Husband and wife Louis Everard and Jennifer Nygard, owners of Everard’s Clothing at 1802 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Photo by Troy Reimer.
Louis Everard and Jennifer Nygard, husband-and-wife owners of the classic-with-a-twist Everard’s Clothing at 1802 Wisconsin Ave. NW, had some stunning news for their friends last week:
“After 27 wonderful years, we are preparing to close the doors of our store. This decision comes with mixed emotions, but above all, with deep gratitude. … As we begin this final chapter, we invite you to visit us once more. As a thank-you for your years of loyalty and support, the entire store is 30 percent off.”
Compass Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On Jan. 6, D.C.-based Compass Coffee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. With assets of between $1 million and $10 million and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million, the company is involved in lawsuits with suppliers, landlords and Harrison Suarez, who co-founded the chain in 2014 with Michael Haft. Having closed its roastery in the Hecht Warehouse development, Compass intends to continue running about 15 of its coffee shops, including the one at 1351 Wisconsin Ave. NW. A loan from the Haft family is reportedly being arranged to save the company.
S&R Evermay Envisions ‘Embassy for the Future’
Evermay, the nonprofit of the S&R Evermay Foundation at 1623 28th St. NW, announced that it is “relaunching as an Embassy for the Future — harnessing the wisdom of the past, with the tools of the future, for the benefit of humanity. Over the next year we plan to introduce several new programs and initiatives, and are excited to invite you to join us on our new journey.”
As part of the new effort, Evermay said: “We’re launching IMAGINE 2036, a short, mobile-friendly sentiment survey, to better understand how people feel about the future.” Meanwhile, Evermay’s Listening Room music programs continue and a yoga series has been added.
Window Open for Georgetown Main Street Grants
The application process for 2026 Competitive Edge Grants from Georgetown Main Street is open through Wednesday, Jan. 28. No fewer than eight projects will be funded from a $40,000 pool allocated by the Department of Small and Local Business Development.
To be eligible, applicants must be a small, locally owned business operating in the Georgetown Main Street corridor. Applications will be evaluated based on: demonstrated need; project proposal and feasibility; and measuring and reporting impact. Complete information is available at georgetownmainstreet.com/grants. A virtual information session is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Halcyon Leaves Halcyon House for 15th Street
Nonprofit accelerator Halcyon, which has supported nearly 600 entrepreneurs since 2014, has departed Halcyon House, its historic Georgetown headquarters, and relocated to 1100 15th St. NW. The future of 30,000-square-foot Halcyon House, at 3400 Prospect St. NW, is unclear.
Halcyon CEO Daniel Barker said: “The new space will not only house Halcyon’s staff and programs, but also serve as a vibrant hub to connect and convene Halcyon’s broader ecosystem of social impact entrepreneurs, partners and changemakers.”
