J. Crew Makes Its Bigger Move
• April 25, 2013

J. Crew closed April 18 to move a few doors down to its larger reconstructed retail space. It plans to reopen April 24 and is still part of the Shops at Georgetown Park. It entrance is just across from Dean & Deluca. The other tenant remaining open in the old mall is Washington Sports Club on the second floor; it never closed.

Dr. Martens to M Street
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Dr. Martens, the boot and shoe store, plans to open a store at 3108 M St., NW, replacing P&C Art, an art gallery in Georgetown for almost 40 years. Expect a sale at P&C Art until its June departure.

Biz Group Meets at Smith PointApril 24, 2013
• April 24, 2013

The Georgetown Business Association met April 17 for its monthly networking reception at Smith Point, one of Georgetown?s celebrated prepster, 30-something hot spots which made headlines when first daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush made the scene in 2005. Owner Bo Blair — whose other ventures include Surfside, Jetties and Fairgrounds and the Bullpen — was the host.

Georgetown BID Test:
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Return Traffic Officers to Return to Wisc. & M?

Relief for drivers and pedestrians alike is coming to the intersection of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Those who cross the intersection daily, both in their vehicle and on foot, know all about the congestion, headaches and danger that it can cause, but there may be a possible solution in sight.

The Georgetown Business Improvement District has teamed up the District Department of Transportation to test the use of traffic control officers at the intersection to respond to recurring concerns regarding pedestrian safety as well as commuter and bus delays.

Also named Joseph Pozell Square, the intersection is the most famous one in Georgetown and one of the busiest in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Reserve Officer Joseph Pozell was struck by a sport-utility vehicle, while working May 14, 2005, at the corner. Pozell was well known in Georgetown for his civic work and as superintendent of the historic Oak Hill Cemetery on R Street, NW. The volunteer traffic officer died from his injuries three days later on May 17.

“We are hoping that intersection management will improve conditions for everyone, including bus riders on the two D.C. Circulator Routes and five Metrobus routes that traverse this spot,” said BID transportation director Jonathan Kass.
Five traffic control officers tested out the idea on April 5 and quickly eased and increased the flow of traffic and eliminated pedestrian congestion at M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

Upon completion of the trial run, the BID will collaborate with DDOT to determine whether permanent deployment of traffic management officers should be put into place at the intersection.

Residents, business owners and visitors to the area are encouraged to comment on the impact traffic officers have on conditions to info@georgetowndc.com.

Downtown Neighborhood Association Closes
• April 11, 2013

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has shut down. The organization started seven years ago by Miles Groves to represent community interests. DNA partnered with Business Improvement District to develop an annual neighborhood survey to help attract new and better retail to Downtown and worked with the the Metropolitan Police Department and others to establish a 10-officer patrol near Gallery Place and the Verizon Center. In 2008. In a parting notice to, the DNA urged all downtown residents to attend ANC 2C meetings, held on the second Monday of each month at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, in Room 221.

Capital Pride Changes Parade Route
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Capital Pride announced it will change the end of the parade’s route, changing the route from turning south after 14th and P Streets NW to end in Thomas Circle to heading north on 14th St. and ending at S St. NW. A map of this year’s Pride Parade is available on the Capital Pride website. The 2013 parade will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 4:30 p.m. As in past years, the parade will begin at P and 22nd Streets NW. It will go around Dupont Circle, up New Hampshire to R, down 17th Street and then east along P Street before hitting 14th Street.

Washington Club’s Patterson Mansion for Sale
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The members-only Washington Club’s historic Patterson mansion at 15 Dupont Circle NW is up for sale at an undisclosed price. The Washington Club, founded in 1891, was the first women’s organization to be incorporated in the District. It was established for “literary purposes, mutual improvement and the promotion of social intercourse.” The club purchased its Dupont Circle location in 1951. The club’s membership — which brings in $2,500 annually per person in dues — has declined significantly in recent years to 62 members. Last fall, the members voted to put the mansion up for sale. The city assessed the value of the property at $12.6 million. Due to a confidentiality agreement, the spokesperson for the Washington Club cannot disclose any prospective buyers at this time.

‘Made in D.C.’ Comes to Local Hardware Stores
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Five locally owned Ace Hardware stores, including Logan Hardware, are teaming up with Think Local First D.C. to spotlight locally made products in their stores. The goal of the program, called “Made in D.C.” is to offer local vendors an opportunity to sell their products in a larger market and to create a sense of community within the stores while supporting small businesses. The stores will choose one vendor per quarter to showcase on an endcap. Vendors must live in D.C. and produce their products locally. Ace is looking for products that fit into one of their departments, and vendors must be able to fill the shelving allotment available. The first deadline for applications was Friday, March 15, but the program will continue to accept applications to bring in new vendors. Locally-made products will hit stores in April.

Glen’s Garden Market Takes Place of Safeway Townhouse
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On Earth Day weekend, Dupont Circle will be home to an independent specialty market dedicated to sourcing locally grown foods. Glen’s Garden Market will open at 20th and S Streets NW — the former location of the Safeway Townhouse store. The 5,000-square-foot space will feature foods from the states of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York. “It seemed like the perfect place to nestle our neighborhood market,” according to a release. Glen’s Garden Market has been under construction since December 2012.

BASIS DC Looks for Support
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BASIS DC, a new charter school downtown, is reaching out for support and asking community members to host a supply drive for school or personal supplies for students, or channel your shopping sprees on Amazon.com into real dollars for the school. Thirty-seven percent of the school’s diverse student population—which hails from all eight of the city’s wards—are underserved and lack the necessary supplies to succeed in school. BASIS DC seeks loose leaf paper, red and blue pens, pencils, erasers and expo dry erase markers in addition to personal items such as travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and mouthwash. Contact Chris Irvine, the head of operations, at (202) 393-5437. BASIS DC is part of Arizona-based BASIS Schools, Inc., which provides “an accelerated liberal arts education at internationally competitive levels.” The school opened in August 2012 and has 410 students in grades 5-8, and will eventually expand to grades 9-12.