The Week Ahead…& Some Mostly Restaurant Photo News
by Larry Janezich
Posted Sunday, December 8
Boxcar Tavern has been purchased and according to a source, is investing in a $200,000 renovation to open an upscale bar called The Lobby Bar. The owner, the source says, hopes to open in a few weeks. That seems optimistic.
On last Monday afternoon, workers were engaged in a substantial demolition and construction project inside Boxcar.
Lavagna has a new owner who is somewhat vague about his plans for the retail space. He introduced himself as Daoud and said “we haven’t decided – it might be a smoke shop or maybe we might serve Mediterranean food “– though he acknowledged that the previous tenant had had a restaurant and “it hadn’t worked for them. “ He said he might separate the space on the second floor since there were two entrances in the front. Asked when he might know what the plans are, he replied he wasn’t sure, but “You’ll know soon enough.” The owner said he has a smoke shop on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
The new Popeyes at 409 8th Street, Barracks Row – is shown here on the right adjacent to the build out for Taco Bell. Despite bending over backwards to address concerns of nearby neighbors and other businesses on Barracks Row, Popeyes has hit a speed bump with their attempt to reopen under a new franchisee. The problem is with the Department of Buildings (DOB) which is insisting that the restaurant have two restrooms. Popeyes plan was to use one of the two existing bathrooms for indoor trash storage in accordance with best rodent control practices urged by the neighbors. DC Code provides an exception for low occupancy restaurants to operate with one restroom. The code is open to interpretation by DOB, and they’re coming down on the side of the rodents – this despite support for the trash storage plan from the DC Department of Health Rodent Control.
The neighbors and Popeyes appealed to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee for advice and assistance at last week’s committee meeting. The committee voted to write a letter to DOB and CM Allen to urge granting an exception and permit one of the two bathrooms to be used for trash storage. The recommendation to send the letter will come up before the full ANC6B at its December meeting next Tuesday. The DC Health Department shut down this Popeye’s in November of 2021 after a video of a rat infestation went viral.
Barracks Row’s Cafe 8 Mediterranean Bistro wants to more than double its occupancy. The request to amend their liquor license application to increase occupancy from 88 to 180 comes after the restaurant purchased two adjacent buildings. Last Tuesday, ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee voted to support the request. The full ANC will take up the recommendation at next Tuesday’s December meeting of the full commission.
The café at 424 Eighth Street, SE, is a hookah bar and grille owned and operated by a Turkish family and has been in business on Barracks Row for almost 20 years.
Rosedale Library Update. Last Tuesday night at Rosedale Library, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan, announced at a community meeting on the future of Rosedale Library, that the current site of the Library had been selected to build the new Rosedale Library. The yexpect to open in 2030.
The Week Ahead….
Highlights
- Tuesday, ANC6B: Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
- (Postponed until December 19.) Thursday, DPR Community meeting on Rumsey Aquatic Center
Monday, December 9
ANC6D will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to access the meeting, go here: https://www.anc6d.org/virtual-meetings/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Introduction of Commissioners
Community Announcements (Commissioners and Audience
Public Safety Report (PSA 103,105,106)
Community Concerns
Presentations
- Illegal Cannabis Enforcement (ABCA Dir. Moosally, CM Allen, Capt. Hrebanek)
- DCPS Amidon-Bowen Swing Space
- Pepco Stacks Substation Repairs, Renovation
- DOEE – Lead Safe and Healthy Housing
Consent Agenda
Development, Planning, and Transportation
- 501 I Street SW
Commission Updates & Administrative Matters
***POSTPONED*** ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will meet at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (Main Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
Among items on the agenda: TBA
Tuesday, December 10
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to access the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Introductions
Consent Agenda
Administrative Consent Items
- Amendment of Standing Rules
- Annual Report for ANC 6B 2024
- January 2025 ABC Committee – Orthodox Christmas Conflict (Move to January 6th, 2025)
Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out
Presentations
- Green New Deal for Social Housing Presentation – Connor Laughland
- Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern
- Presentation of 2024 Outstanding Public Service Award
- Letter to Council to Support Funding for Initiative 83
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
- Café Bistro Med – 424 8th Street SE. Request to amend settlement agreement to allow for greater occupancy. (Capacity from 88 to 180)
Planning and Zoning Committee
- Letter to DOB, CM Charles Allen, et. al;, supporting Popeyes appeal for an exception from regulations requiring two bathrooms in order to free up space for indoor trash storage in accordance with neighbor’s request for this rodent control measure.
Public Safety Committee
- Resolution Regarding Implementation of the Gun Violence Reduction Strategic Plan
ANC7D will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here:
Agenda: TBA
Wednesday, December 11
ANC6C will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6c.org/hot-topics/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Announcements
- Commissioner announcements
- Other community announcements
- Citizen comments on problems/issues of concern (up to 2 mins. each)
Consent Calendar
Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
- 717 5th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application.
- Council oversight testimony (years of delays in BZA issuance of written decisions in two cases)
Thursday, December 12
ANC6A will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
For info on how to join the meeting, go here: https://anc6a.org/community-calendar/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Introduction of New ANC 6A Commissioners
- Paul Spires (ANC 6A01)
- Jeff Giertz (ANC 6A06)
- Stephen Kolb (ANC 6A07)
Motion to renew service agreements for package prep/web services and notetaker for FY2025.
Single Member District reports (2 minute each)
Community Comments (2 minutes each)
***DPR Community Meeting*** (Postponed until December 19.)
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a community meeting on the demolition and modernization of the Rumsey Aquatic Center at 6:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. It is anticipated that the design/build team will take part in the meeting. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3ZsHnsv
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers., Featuring Daniel Boomhower and Carol Oja. Tuesday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. In-person at the Hill Center. $10.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/3Bem7hX
Hill Center Event
“SONG OF SOLSTICE” A Celtic Christmas Celebration Featuring: OCEAN Celtic Quartet. Sunday, December 15 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. In-person. $20.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/49seW2g
Folger Library Free Event
Free community singalong with Choral Director and The Voice contestant (season 25) L. Rodgers. Friday, December 13, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Great Hall of the Folger Library.
The Folger is ringing in the season with favorite festive tunes at our next Folger Friday! Join for a cheerful evening of songs, crafts, and warm beverages as we celebrate in community. Free Register here: https://bit.ly/3Vp8t2n
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
The new owner of the Lavagna space sounds extremely suspect and slippery. The ANC better keep a watch on what he wants to do.
Great to hear that Boxcar space will reopen. Hope its not too upscale in price.
Not very great news for the Lavagna space. We don’t need another smoke shop for sure. It would make a nice venue for a piano bar and restaurant (like the old Knickerbockers that was there year’s ago) with good food.