Capitol Hill’s Small Business Gift Card Exchange Starts Saturday, November 22
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 21, 2025
A slew of Capitol Hill business organizations are sponsoring the 4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange running Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 7, 2025. The event is one of two local promotion efforts to encourage community support for local small businesses this holiday season. This Saturday launches the holiday season with the lighting of the Capitol Hill Holiday Tree at Eastern Market Metro Park starting at 5:30pm.
Here’s how the exchange works: shop at any of the 31 participating business (see below) between 11/22 and 12/7 and receive a free gift card from another local favorite. Some terms apply and gifts are available while supplies last.
Participating Businesses include:
Eastern Market Pottery, Clothes Encounters, Relume, Photopia, La Casina, Music on the Hill,
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, Hill’s Kitchen, East City Bookshop, Mr. Henry’s, Barrel, Little District Books, Awakening Bar & Grill, DCANTER Wine Boutique, Ambar, Frame of Mine, The Miracle Theatre, Bistro Cacao, Café Berlin, The Queen Vic, Granville Moore’s, The Pug, City Dogs, Jade Fitness, Hill East Burger, The DC Dentist, Ginkgo Gardens, Santa Rosa Taqueria, Good Stuff Eatery, We, the Pizza, Hawk & Dove.
Launched by Kathleen Donahue, owner of Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, during the post-COVID recovery, Better Together celebrates the strength and spirit of Capitol Hill’s small business community. Shopping local means investing in your community – supporting the people, schools, and organizations that make Capitol Hill thrive.
The second event is The Barrack’s Row and Eastern Market Main Street’s Sip and Shop onMonday, December 1 from 5pm to 8pm with wine tastings and exclusive in-store specials. DCanter will be providing different wines to each location so it will be a walking wine tasting.
Participating businesses include:
Clothes Encounters DC, Eastern Market Pottery, Refume, Capitol Hill Books, Groovy DC Cards and Gifts, Paris Bleu, Spin Time Records, East City Books, Labyrinth, Hills Kitchen, DCanter.
The Week Ahead…& Photos from Barracks Row July 4th Parade
By Larry Janezich
Posted July 6, 2025
Here’s Eastern High School’s Blue and White Marching Machine, “The Pride of Capitol Hill,” setting the mood and the pace for the Barracks Row July 4th Parade.
Mayor Bowser was close behind, waving the flag and wearing a Commander Jersey.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb followed the Mayor.
City Council Chair and Capitol Hill resident Phil Mendelson marched alone – as is his custom – without a supporting contingent and leading the way for CM Charles Allen…
…who trailed a large groups of his supporters.
Technically, MPD lead the parade, clearing the way for the politicians, bands, and community groups that followed. First District Commander Colin Hall did some community building with the next generation of Capitol Hill residents.
The crowd gave it up for the tightly disciplined Ruff Ridaz Percussion Squad performance.
ANC6B marched with a banner carried by (l-r), Commissioners David Sobelsohn, Vince Mareino, and Tyler Wolanin. Commissioner Jerry Sroufe is at the rear, far left.
The Fife and Drum Corp was a crowd pleaser, juxtapositioned appropriately with the local Chapter of the Judge Lynn Daughters of the American Revolution.
Free DC showed their colors and their relentless enthusiasm for lobbying Congress to restore DC’s authority to spend their own revenues for the balance of the current FY – which has been denied by Conress’ failure to include that routine measure in the recently passed Reconsiliation funding bill. Free DC is a force to be reckoned with.
Pride showed up, marching proudly.
This required some concentration as well as hand and eye coordination.
The Week Ahead
Highlights:
Sharon Kershbaum, Director DC Department of Transportation, will visit ANC6B Tuesday night. The ANC has a list of transportation issues which could come up. See below.
Thursday, the 257th Army Band will performance in Lincoln Park. See “Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:” below.
MONDAY July 7
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Renovation: 730 Rear 11th Street, SE. Demolition of an existing attached rear commercial space and replacement with a single-family dwelling. Filing pending.
LATE BREAKING: Renovation: 418 4th Street, SE.
LATE BREAKING: Nominations for Committee leadership positions.
LATE BREAKING: Recommendations on encouraging commercial variety in ANC6B.
ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Wolfgang Puck Bar + Bites. 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. NE Class C restaurant.
Proper Exotic. 313 8th Street, NE. Medical Cannabis Retailer. (Located in ANC 6A, but ANC 6C is directly across the street and has authority to participate)
White Horse Hookah Bar and Tobacco, 521 H Street, NE.
Tuesday, July 8
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm.
Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to join the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Presentations
Sharon Kershbaum, Director DC Department of Transportation.
(Here at the topics the ANC6B Transportation Committee has prioritized in meetings which could be discussed with the Director.)
Lincoln Park – comprehensive traffic safety study of Lincoln Park.
Open Streets – How are decisions made about where to host Open Streets, and why aren’t the ANCs a part of that process?
RFK – How is DDOT participating in evaluating the transportation needs and opportunities around the RFK parcel given the Mayor’s proposal?
School Safety – How is DDOT evaluating school safety initiatives like the Safe Routes, Crossing Guards and School Transit support?
Vision Zero – What’s the status of Vision Zero?
Eastern Market Traffic Plans & Safety – How are people are getting to Eastern Market and the general traffic patterns around Capitol Hill. Are there any plans to study modes of transport on the Hill? What I the current status of safety bollards being approved for use at Eastern Market?
Robin Roesch, Creciendo Chisholm Initiative.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis license renewals:
Ted’s Bulletin, 505 8th Street, SE; Renewal of Class C Restaurant; Protest Petition Deadline: July 18, 2025 [6B03] (Originally Extended by 60 days).
The Flying Mexican (Renewal of License held previously by: Playa Ocho Cantina), 514 8th Street SE; Renewal of Class C Restaurant.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis license new applications:
ZomTum, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Application for new Class C Restaurant license with Sidewalk Café and Alcohol Carry-Out & Delivery endorsements.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis License protests and other updates:
Ambar (ANC6B is currently protesting – non-compliance with signed Settlement Agreement).
ALOHA (Status of Request for Reinstatement from Applicant for cannabis license).
Planning & Zoning Update:
Legislation: short update from Connor Laughland about DC City Council bill to develop social housing (https://janeeseward4.com/gnd/ ).
Citizen request: illegal vacation rental at 220 14th Street, SE.
Proposal: draft a short letter endorsing DOB investigation
Renovation: 409 East Capitol Street SE, Sambria & Co. Zoning Adjustment Application. New rear addition.
Renovation: 730 Rear 11th Street, SE. Demolition of an existing attached rear commercial space and replacement with a single-family dwelling. Filing pending.
LATE BREAKING: Renovation: 418 4th Street, SE.
LATE BREAKING: Nominations for Committee leadership positions.
LATE BREAKING: Recommendations on encouraging commercial variety in ANC6B.
Hakeem Mumford, Manager, External Affairs, PEPCO Update from PEPCO.
Kunta Bedney and Mike Dempsey, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Local Union 197 Apprenticeship Opportunity Information.
DC Government Updates
Office of Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder.
Mayor’s Office of Community Relations & Services.
Committee Reports and Motions
Transportation/Public Space Committee
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a resolution that expresses support for the ongoing operation of the DC Streetcar, an important public transit link for the H Street Corridor, Rosedale, Carver/Langston, Kingman Park and the RFK campus; and recommend any funding resultant from any change in Streetcar service be reinvested into these communities.
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a letter of support to the Zoning Commission for plans as presented by So Others May Eat to renovate and expand an existing building at 2 18th St, SE to convert it from a nonconforming rooming house with 57 units to an apartment building with 61 units.
Proposed Motion: Recommend ANC7D issue a letter of support to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a Special Exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing attached two-story plus basement principal dwelling located at 515 21st Street, NE.
RFK Campus Checkup
Opportunity for 7D Commissioners to Discuss Ongoing RFK Development Related Activity.
Planning Zoning, and Economic Development Committee
502 C Street, NE. Historic Preservation Application. Concept approval to renovate three-story mixed-use structure and enlarge new three-story rear addition.
409 East Capitol Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception and use variance to construct a third story rear addition and a second dwelling unit, and convert the first floor to office use at an attached mixed-use two-story building.
1128 4th Street, NE. Zoning Adjustment Application. Special exception for after-the-fact approval of an illegally constructed railing atop a porch roof.
Transportation and Public Space Committee
H Street Main Street NE, Public space improvements. Mr. Saleem is seeking ANC support for public space improvements on the H Street corridor.
1232 4th Street, NE. Transportation Online Permitting – paving, curb, gutter, and sidewalks. The applicant requests a permit for public space improvements including electric vaults, new curb and gutter, closure of existing driveway, bike racks, new trees and plantings, benches, balcony, and bay window.
1 Columbus Circle, NE. Transportation Online Permitting – WMATA installation of a bus stop bench.
Alcohol and Cannabis Licensing Committee
Wolfgang Puck Bar + Bites. 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. Class C restaurant license.
Proper Exotic LLC, Application for Medical Cannabis Retailer license. (Located in ANC 6A, but ANC 6C is directly across the street and has authority to participate.)
White Horse Hookah Bar and Tobacco. 502 H Street NE.
Within School @ Goding Leaks in the Basement Project – Andrew Walker, DCPS.
Consent Agenda
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter supporting the renewal of a Class C multipurpose license with Cover Charge, Dancing, Entertainment, and Summer Garden endorsements at Gallery O on H at 1354 H Street NE, and that the ANC update the settlement agreement.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the renewal of an alcoholic beverage license with summer garden endorsement at Tiffany’s Bar and Bistro at 709 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter supporting the renewal of a Class C restaurant license Entertainment and Sidewalk Café endorsements at Fresca Taqueria, 701 H Street NE.
Recommendation: ANC6A protest the application for a retail Class B Beer and Wine at B & B Convenience and More at 1447 Maryland Avenue, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to ABRA requesting clarification that the proposed location for Proper Exotic at 313 8th Street, NE, is not in violation of the proximate requirements of the specific nearby establishments that cater to children/minors.
Community Outreach
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter of support to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for a public arts initiative along H Street NE within the boundaries of ANC6A.
Transportation and Public Space
Recommendation: ANC6A send a letter to DDOT requesting speed bumps in the Atlas Court alley between 11th and 12th Streets, NE.
New Business Recommendation:
ANC 6A send a letter to the DC Council regarding its concerns about Mayor Bowser’s FY26 Budget.
Suggested Motion: ANC6A send a letter of support to BZA for a special exception for a porch renovation at 916 D Street NE.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter to DDOT in support of the Notice of Intent to add a protected bike lane and other safety measures to 14th Street, NE, between Maryland Avenue and G Street NE.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Monday-Friday throughout July and August, 7 pm, Military Bands Capitol Summer Concert Series, west lawn of the Capitol Building. For more, go here: https://bit.ly/4lF97Dq
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The Week Ahead – Restaurant Updates … & Some Photos from Last Week
by Larry Janezich
Posted November 24, 2024
The Salty Doughnut looks to be headed for Barracks Row. According to a source, the popular national doughnut chain has purchased the three outlets formerly owned by District Doughnut. Last September, a sign announcing the “temporary closure” of the three District Doughnut shops (Barracks Row, The Wharf, and Union Market) was posted at the shop, along with the promise that “District Doughnut has some exciting news to share in a few weeks.” There have been previous press reports that The Salty Doughnut Restaurant chain was moving into the DMV – the opening of an outlet has been announced in the Fairfax County’s Mosaic District off Route 29 outside the beltway. Until now, the locations of potential sites in DC have not been made public. For more info on The Salty Doughnut, here’s a link to their website: https://www.saltydonut.com/ And their Instagram link is here: https://www.instagram.com/thesaltydonut/?hl=en
Barracks Row Joey’s has been bought by Teds’s Bulletin owner, Salis Holdings. Back in 2011, a NYC entrepreneur named Steve Salis appeared before ANC6B proposing to open a “high end pizza outlet” on Barracks Row called Ima Pizza. Later, the name changed to &Pizza and Salis cofounded the local chain. Salis sold out his share of the company in 2019 and subsequently acquired Ted’s Bulletin (six locations), Kramers Bookstore (the former Kramer Books and Afterwords), the Fedralist Pig, and Honeymoon Chicken (12 locations). No hints yet on Salis’ plans for Joey’s.
DC Falafel on Pennsylvania Avenue– Down Pennsylvania Avenue at 1123 next to Frager’s, Capitol Hill’s only falafel outlet has been getting favorable reviews from patrons. Here’s a link to the carryout’s menu which features falafel wraps and platters as well as wraps and platters for chicken, lamb & beef sharwarma. Here’s a link to their website and on-line ordering info. https://www.dcfalafel.com/ Inexpensive.
New Greek Restaurant – Word on the street is that a new Greek restaurant is coming to 315 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Spike Mendelsohn’s old Mexican Restaurant Santa Rosa Taqueria. This is a developing story.
Southeast Library Modernization. Here’s a recent photo of the on-going modernization of Southeast Library showing the excavation and bracing of the lower level.
And here’s a Design Phase Rendering illustrating the new lowest level. Next month will see the demolition creating a roof opening for the new skylight.
Coldwell Banker’s Holiday Animated Window display at 350 7th Street, SE, across from Peregrine Espresso, returns to celebrate the season – a nostalgic and transporting delight. The display was designed by Manuel Cortes of Groovy Cards and Gifts – see here: https://groovydc.com/
The Week Ahead….
Monday, November 25
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00 pm.
Announcements & Updates – Reminder of Sunday morning cleanups on I Street – People’s Front of H Street Group – How to join the 6A list serve.
Rat Race: Supervisory Code and Rodent inspector Andre Pitman
Community Comments & Concern
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Brent Elementary Holiday Greenery Sale from December 5th- 8th.
The Brent Elementary School Parent Teacher Association will hold its 14th annual Holiday Sale from December 5th- 8th. Proceeds are used to provide critical resources to students at this public elementary school on Capitol Hill.
Fraser fir trees, greenery, Hanukkah items, and more are available for presale until December 3rd at http://www.brentholidaysale.org . In addition to trees the outdoor on-lot sale will include wreaths, garland, poinsettias, winterberry, and Hanukkah items. All customers will also have the popular option to have their trees delivered on the day of purchase and the option for in-home setup.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 