“CIVIC” –A New Hospitality Concept Coming to Barracks Row

by Larry Janezich

Posted November 11, 2025

CIVIC at 501 8^th Street, SE on Barracks Row, will open this winter in the space formerly occupied by Ophelia’s Fish House.

CIVIC’s operator Rhonda Foxx (left) with beverage director Andra “AJ” Johnson.

“CIVIC” on Barracks Row – Rhonda Foxx’s new concept for a day time coffee bar/evening cocktail bar – is best described by its website: “A Salon for the City.”  https://www.salonforthecity.com/  

CIVIC’s genesis can be traced back to an organization Foxx founded in 2023 – “PERSIST,” a 70,000 member nonprofit women’s political coalition who aim is to connect power players, national leaders, influencers, organizers and everyday activists.  Foxx says, “After 15 years in national Democratic politics and three in corporate America I realized that we have to have a place to get offline and bring together people who are like minded.”  The concept behind CIVIC, she said, is Gloria Steinem’s “gathering circles” – who holds informal, in-person meetings in her apartment where activists, organizers and individuals gather to share ideas, and build community.  Foxx was inspired by these events after being invited to host one at Steinem’s  home. 

Her take away from the gathering circle was the importance of building physical community and CIVIC pays tribute to that idea – “a place to gather, to create and make things happen.” 

The website says as much: 

“Where culture and community meet.  From coffee to cocktails, CIVIC. is a neighborhood salon built for connection. Woman-owned and locally operated, we honor what came before while shaping what’s next – through conversation, curation, and craft.

We feature a rotating lineup of coffee roasters in residence, guest chefs, visual artists, and music curators. New voices, new work, more reasons to stop in.”

Foxx says, “You’ll see some really cool iconic DC women in this place, for example (DC muralist) Lisa Marie’s murals will go up on the back wall.  And, you know, we’re a cocktail and coffee bar and that’s being powered by Andra “AJ” Johnson (beverage director and managing partner at Serenata at Union Market).  And (DC artist) Maggie O’Neill will be one of the first artists that we showcase on our walls… if you remember Winnette McIntosh Ambrose (two-time Food Network Champion who ran Souk Bakery and Sweet Lobby), she’ll provide our pastry offerings.” 

Foxx says CIVIC is still working on its restaurant alcohol beverage license and hopes have a soft opening before year’s end.  Their day time café and beverage menu – featuring locally sourced Swing’s coffee – is here.  https://www.salonforthecity.com/menu An evening menu will follow.