Mott’s Market Is on the Market Again!
by Hilary Russell
The neighborhood coalition to save the historic corner grocery store at 223 12th Street, SE, has been galvanized by the new “For Sale” sign at this address. As Capitol Hill Corner reported (https://bit.ly/3rje3Ee numerous neighbors established an LLC (limited liability company) and made a serious bid to buy the building in April. The winning bidders were long-time Capitol Hill residents Amit and Veronique Singh – not, as rumored, a developer. This couple found a larger, three-unit building on G Street, SE, that they prefer very soon after and closed that sale on May 31. That’s why 223 12th Street is back on the market. Evidently, there’s nothing wrong with the building, which is now listed for $1.35 million—$100,000 more than the April price.
The coalition is ramping up to make another serious offer that preserves a valued neighborhood resource and prevents its potential conversion to condos. A meeting hosted by Jordan LaCrosse on June 2 ran numbers and confirmed the coalition’s commitment to buy the building and rent the store space to a vendor who shares the community’s values. The core group pledged to reach out immediately to new and existing supporters, put up new signs, and get press coverage.
For more information, send an email to SaveMottsMarket@gmail.com and consult www.mottsmarket.com
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
Word on street is that neighbor coalition was all talk and no action – didn’t even make a proper formal offer originally because they couldn’t get their act together. That’s a very good sign that their plan to “Save Mott’s” is doomed to fail. Seriously, managing 100 neighbor owners of a corner store so close to better options – pipe dream.