Friday, August 1, 2008

bloomingdale, you're finally getting a bar!

i haven't paid attention to the corner of 1st, t, and rhode island for a couple days, but check this out:
yep, that's a placard for a liquor license. a class c liquor license. a TAVERN! we are getting a bar, bloomingdale!


that first photo was in one of the doors on t street. this property, at 84-86 t street nw, has long been rumored to be home to a second location of heller's bakery of mount pleasant (whose donuts are quite good!) well, it looks like that's not the case now. a new, smallish window has been placed in the 1st street wall in the last few days, and that's home to the other placard.

i know it's hard to read, but here are the details:

  • posted today (august 1, 2008)
  • petition date: september 15, 2008
  • hearing date: september 29, 2008
  • name: baraki
  • nature of operation: local tavern featuring standard american fare with occasional dj, occupancy limit is 99.
  • hours of operation: sunday through thursday: 11 am - 2 am, friday and saturday: 11 am - 3 am
  • hours of entertainment: sunday through thursday: 9 pm - 2 am, friday and saturday: 9 pm - 3 am
and the kicker: sidewalk café with 24 seats: every day 11 am to midnight!



so there you have it, bloomingdale. i always thought this would happen at 1822 1st street (the corner of 1st and seaton) before anywhere else in the neighborhood, but maybe that'll just have to be the home of a bar and restaurant, instead of a plain-old tavern like baraki.

80 comments:

Christian said...

I cannot hold back the glee! It's like Christmas morning but with alcohol and no cookies...well maybe they'll serve cookies. I hope it has good character alla the Dr Granville Moore's on H St, NE.

Anonymous said...

This is Scott Roberts of Bloomingdale.

I am eager to obtain the input of the two sets of residents of the two condominiums directly above the 1st floor space.

I hope that the residents of the two condo units actively weigh in on the tavern liquor license discussion.

Mari said...

Soon you may hear the wonderful sounds of pretty young things proclaiming, "I'm sooooooooo drunk!"

No seriously, I am happy for Bloomingdale, and I'm curious to see what actually comes. As for standard American fare, I say tater tots!

Sean Hennessey said...

very cool

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely wonderful news from a great team of brothers who have been very successful with their business creations. An upscale pizza place is the rumor and very welcome.

Just because it says tavern, doesn't mean that is the main or sole focus, it is just needed for the license. This is the same type of license that Veranda has and there are no "I'm soooo drunks" stumbling out of there and no DJs as of yet. It just gives them flexibility for their establishment and in the future were they to ever sell the place.

This is the best news since Big Bear. How timely, too, that Windows is applying for outside cafe seating now as well? This corner can come alive.

Anonymous said...

The Scott Roberts posting sounds rather negative or pessimistic. Perhaps I am reading it wrong. These neighbors above knew that they were buying/renting above a retail establishment, likely to become a restaurant (by the fact of the owners), and chose to move there anyway. Now, if they didn't know then they didn't do their homework. They moved in after the building was bought by the Heller boys.

Anonymous said...

Could be great news! I never thought Veranda did that great a business but I guess they are willing and able to expand.

- W st

Unknown said...

This is very exciting. Judging from Veranda, I expect the place to be a cozy, casual, welcoming, respectful of the neighborhood sort of place - just what I'd love to have around the corner. I hope it gets the support it needs.

Anonymous said...

As a 15 year resident of our 'hood, I am happy to hear that there will be a sit down/sidewalk cafe pizza place. Lord knows we could use a FEW more businesses. But, please let me weigh in somewhere in the middle of the road, I hope, regarding the hours/liquor license:
Unless you wish to invite additional crime and some more loud nasty drunks to go along with the more amiable variety, please make the closing hours earlier--say 11pm or midnight.

To do otherwise would drastically alter the somewhat residential quality of life that Bloomingdale has come to enjoy.

I am defintely FOR this restaurant, but urge peeps to exercise vigilance when departing the restaurant at night once opened.
I think one reason we don't have more muggings than we already do is because we don't have as many late night establishments as in Adams Morgan, for example.

But hey can't wait to eat 'za with a nice glass of wine or a cold beer !

Anonymous said...

i read scotts comment as concern that residents in the building can help make or break this deal.

it seemed neutral to me.

Anonymous said...

great news! Veranda is a cozy spot, and the application of a liquor license does allow flexibility...this is certainly a great step forward....now, if the owners of the property on first and seaton (the one with nice window displays) could find a nice tenant (perhaps a little taqueria ala the one in DelRay), then we would really have progress. Perhaps they need to rethink the amount of rent being asked...sweeten the deal for a few years.

ap said...

woo hoo! can't wait to hear what they have on tap! Dog fish head and two bells! Red Hook!

Christian said...

I have not been to Veranad but have heard good things. I've been by at night and it seems realitively peaceful. The description of Pizza sounds like the are going the direction of Red Rocks Pizzeria in Columbia Heights. This place has a very peacful neighborhood vibe, great food and drink, and even at its busiest points it never gets too loud. Check it out next time you have a chance.

Unknown said...

This is definitely an are in need of a place serving nice micro/craft beers. Dogfigh Head is right on (Red Hook used to be a nice beer, but since they've been taken over by Anheuser, their recipes have changed). I'd personally like to see more American craft beers, since we're the tip of the curve. The Belgian influence in a lot of joints around here is appreciated, but there is certainly a dearth of places like the Blind Tiger and d.b.a in NYC (places that are very community-conscious).

Anonymous said...

I want them to serve organic water hand-squeezed from the fur of free-range alpacas locally grown in Hyattsville. And they must not call themselves a Gastropub or have entrees over the critical $9.95 price point. Othewise I will whine all over local blogs.

TP said...

As if parking on T or RI at night doesn't suck enough already.

I thought it was becoming a bakery? What happened to that?

IMGoph said...

tp: i hear you on the bakery thing. the fact that the heller's people own the property probably made us all think we were getting another bakery (heck, i sure did).

guess we were wrong. maybe we'll just have to push for one at seaton and 1st!

Anonymous said...

All you gentrifiers stay out of my hood. U Street died from your presence and now Bloomingdale will suffer.

Some things are not wanted. My two cents.

Anonymous said...

anti-gentry anon,
in what way will bloomingdale suffer because of the presence of a restaurant?

IMGoph said...

please leave a name when you leave a comment. if you're going to make claims about people ruining the neighborhood, you should at least have the guts to back it up. otherwise, keep quiet.

Anonymous said...

What is the average time between these hearings and when an establishment opens? Do they start work before the license is approved?

I'm just curious if we're talking a fall, winter or spring opening. The firehouse is proceeding at a leisurely pace.

Anonymous said...

Interesting note - Simon of Ledroit Park Market is also developing the old Cookie's Corner store on 2nd and Elm into a pizzeria. I've been in there recently and it's almost done - completely transformed and very nice looking, they did a complete gut renovation.

Stu said...

I just spoke with Aleks the owner and we'll be meeting in the next couple of days to discuss his ideas.

It sounds great - he is looking to create something like Delphino in San Francisco, or the 1st floor of the Matchbox in DC.

The entire strip of 1st at Rhode Island has a lot of potential. Maybe it is finally taking off.

-Stu
(ANC)

Anonymous said...

I am always amused by people who don't own businesses, and especially don't own a restaurant, who think they should micro-manage how a business is run. No one on this post is putting up any capital to open this business. If you want a bakery - get some investors and open it - no one is stopping you. Otherwise, you should appreciate the fact that someone is actually willing to take a chance on our neighborhood and could actually help to make the neighborhood viable for that bakery you want so bad.

As far as the hours of the restaurant, they have a right to try and make a profit. Remember, this is a commercially zoned property. The most sure-fired way to guarantee that this business fails, is to put them at a disadvantage by restricting their hours. Furthermore, outdoor cafe seating is the BEST thing that could happen to that corner - eyes on the street make the street safer - this is a fact proven over and over.

I have lived on the unit block of Seaton for 17 years. Up until about 5 years ago, we averaged a murder on our unit block every 2 years. As someone who has lived the crack wars and blight I say, "Bring the Pizza On and Welcome to the Neighborhood!!!

Christian said...

Well, now we are going to have Pizza at 2nd and Elm, 1st and T, and the Engine Co 12 (among their 30 other styles of cuisine). I hope all offer enough diversity in menu items, atmosphere, and uniqe pizza tastes to remain viable.

Anonymous said...

But will they be able to get people indoors to eat and drink? Maybe if customers were encouraged to toss empty glasses, bones and other food scraps on the floor. So it would be just like the corner but with air conditioning and pizza.

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I much more trust the owners of Veranda/heller's bakery to put in a classy pizza place then the owner of the dumpy Ledroit Park Market, who has been promising "almost done" for over a year now. I think his new push is merely a result of hearing about the new pizza place on 1st street. If his pizza place on 2nd and W is anything like his store and managed anything like his store, and as dirty as his store, then I don't hold out much hope for it to be successful. I am very curious about his idea of upscale pizza, compared to the Heller's Bros. upscale pizza. Are we talking fresh or frozen imports?

I love the potential competition for the pizza places in the neighborhood. May the best pizza win. And regardless, the neighborhood wins.

anna said...

I am a journalist and would love to do a story about the new bar in Bloomingdale. Would the lovely owner of this blog please contact me in order to set up an interview time? Thanks.

at9462a@american.edu

Anonymous said...

its not for the citypaper , is it?

Anonymous said...

Well Geoff, congratulations are in order for being referred to as the "lovely owner of this blog" by a lovely journalist.

Well played, sir, well played!

Anonymous said...

and what's wrong with the City Paper?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

and what's wrong with the City Paper?
----------------

You're new to DC if you don't know.
It's okay. Everyone likes it at first.

Anonymous said...

finally

BSB said...

I am "for" small neighborhood businesses which brings the community and neighboring communities together.
However I am not "for" businesses that bring in higher noise pollution and possibly crime.
Opening a pizza establishment which serves beer and wine with respectable residential business hours is a delightful addition. However, this does not sound like a neighbor pizza joint. This sounds like a night club with daytime hours, which happens to serve food.
I have been to "Pizzeria Delfina" several times. The pizza is good not great. The vibe is very friendly and the it is a neighborhood staple. Take a look: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-delfina-san-francisco
This neighborhood restaurant stays open until 10:00 pm on week nights and 11:00 pm on weekends. Notice they serve vino and birre.
I think a class C license is a bit much for this type of establishment. Also, as a resident living in Bloomingdale, I am concerned about traffic, crime, public drunkenness, noise pollution and parking.
I am excited about our neighborhood increasing our economic infrastructure. I am looking forward to having good, no great pizza in the "hood."

Anonymous said...

As a member of the more transient population in Bloomingdale (young professional) and guilty of indirectly contributing to gentrification ("urban renewal," if you will...), I'm of course very excited about another establishment that echoes the good vibrations of big bear, but I'm not turning a deaf ear to some of the concerns expressed. Like some of the posters here, I agree that a Class C license with nightclub hours and outlook may be a bit too much too soon. Bloomingdale is unique in its peaceful, brick-path, low-key business fare, and that's the theme that should reverberate throughout this discussion. I agree with another poster that 10pm weekdays/11pm weekends are the perfect hours for our neighborhood. I also don't think that suggesting these hours and a beer/wine menu to the owners will in any way threaten the business if the owners are truly trying to fit in with the neighborhood. I think their only concern only such conditions would be keeping up with the demand.

I'm also very jealous b/c i've often thought of how well a quiet pizza parlor would do in our neighborhood and entertained daydreams of opening my own someday. Kudos to the entreprenuers.

Anonymous said...

Interesting business advice from Erin & Joe (directly above) vis-a-vis what class of liquor license is necessary and what hours will allow the business to turn a profit. How have you analyzed this with respect to overhead costs, etc.? Are you basing your professional consultation on your personal experience in the restaurant industry? How many restaurants have you successfully opened that were still in business 5 years later?

None?

I thought not.

Anonymous said...

Yes, anon critical of erin and joe's business experience, but they should be allowed to weigh in with regards to what type of liquor license they will get.

I went to 2020 Martini in Cleveland last month and this phrase from Erin captures perfectly what 2020 Martini in Cleveland is:

"This sounds like a night club with daytime hours, which happens to serve food."

It served lunch, but it was practically empty when I was there at 12:30, and it had over-the-top, gaudy design all over the place. It was in a historic brick building but the inside had very modern design. I personally didn't like it one bit. But that's just my taste. I took some photos and will post them someday, somewhere. I'll let Scott know when I do.

I'm worried that the old Firehouse will turn into what the SW Waterfront is...all kinds of Escalades thumping their bass at 2 AM closing time.

It's definitely got enough space to be a new Dream, or Love, or whatever that place is called lately.

J.T.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Joe and Erinn make a fair point. There may be more profitable business models than a neighborhood pizza joint that closes at 11pm. But that doesn't mean that we want them in our backyard! On the other hand Veranda seems like a good neighbor on 11th St so maybe we should be hopeful.

- JM

keybro said...

In response to "shabby Ledroit Market"

I live in Bloomingdale and have I have watched the owner of Ledroit Market battle vandalism,robberies, assaults, and a year of construction on 4th St. that slowed his business to a crawl. Yes it has taken longer than planned to open the store on 2nd, but I think it is grossly unfair to characterize him or his market in this manner.

By the way, the sandwiches there are the best in the area and his wine selection is amazing.

Marshall

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said:

"You're new to DC if you don't know.
It's okay. Everyone likes it at first."

Hey, thanks for the declarative statement about something you know nothing about - how new I am to DC.

Specifically, what is wrong with the City Paper?

ORSADUDE2 said...

Well it seems that we are true to our American forms. We want the good ( a new neighborhood business) but without the bad (drunks, loud music, congestion). Well, that's what public hearings are for. Most of us take the wait and see approach...but when the see turns into what we didn't want...its finger pointing time.
The bloggers have raised good points on types of liquor licenses and hours. I'd imagine most of them live within a block or two and will be the ones most affected. I know I'd be pissed if I could never park in front of my house...
I have been watching the happenings in Bloomingdale for about 3 years. Seems to be a lot of activity in the ANC (neighborhood walks, park clean ups, etc). People about change will always rally for the good cause. This isn't just about business...its about a safe way of life. Drug dealers are in the business of making a profit too, but we don't seem to want them in our neighborhoods, for more or less the same reasons (safety, traffic, noise). It shouldn't matter what type of business is being brought to the neighborhood, it should be more about how well that business can enhance the lifestyle of the current residents. Businesses can come and go but most residents are in for the long haul. Now is the time to be present and heard.

Anonymous said...

Not that much should or could be resolved on blog posts, but anonymous' biting scorched-earth, free market comments have sent me back to school and thinking long and hard about all of the technicalities involved that he/she seems so well versed in. The fact of the matter remains that businesses don't exist in vacuums but in communities with people who have a right to express their own legitimate concerns about what's happening and, yes, entrepreneurial endeavors that are of concern to they and their neighbors. Thanks, though, for setting me straight, and namelessly so. Yes!

Anonymous said...

I live on the Unit block of T ST NW and I am only a few houses away. I support the restaurant, the class of liquor license they have requested and their operating hours. I like the idea of a legitimate business being open until 2AM at the corner of First & T ST and I welcome the safety that comes with it. I hope that the owners are successful and I plan to enjoy many meals and late night drinks at the restaurant. I will also open a dialogue with the owner and express to them any concerns that arise before the problems escalate. I will support the application before ABRA in September.

anna said...

Sounds like some interesting commentary from the community. I am moving forward with the article on the new bar, and welcome any of you to get in touch with me for a possible interview.

I will also be in the neighborhood tomorrow evening and Thursday.

Thanks,

Anna

at9462a@american.edu

Anonymous said...

1. I'm not sure how Erinn decided, based on the orange placard (the only actual real information on this blog), that "This sounds like a night club [sic] with daytime hours, which happens to serve food." WOW That's quite a jump and nothing but pure speculation. Have you talked to the owners or seen their business plan? Or are you just making an assumption based on the hours. And Joe - how do you know what will "threaten their business?"

2. Apparently Erinn, Joe and some of the other posters need an education about ABC hours and licensing in the city. First of all, all "on-premise" ABC licenses are class "C;" a restaurant is a CR, a tavern is a CT, a nightclub is a CN, and an event venue is a CX. So this establishment is asking for a "C" license because it is not only appropriate but the only class of license they can apply for. With that being said, the legal ABC hours of service for ALL class "C" licenses are:
Monday-Thursday 8 AM to 2 AM
Friday- Saturday 8 AM to 3 AM
Sunday 10 AM to 2 AM

3. It seems that many bloggers are assuming (since no one really has any facts) that this establishment is going to be some kind of dining destination - OMG - the parking issues! Please, this is a neighborhood establishment; it's pizza for god's sake. And everyone needs to do a reality check on the reality of what this establishment is going to have to do to survive. Are any of you posters around during the day to eat lunch here regularly? Take a walk up and down U Street at noon and then tell us how many establishments (not carryouts) are open for lunch? Very, very few is the answer. Why? Because there aren't enough daytime workers or residents in the neighborhood to make serving lunch a viable business option. It's called a Closing Point - when the cost of being open is more expensive than the revenue earned. So, kudos to these owners for trying to offer lunch when most can't or won't.

4. According to the National Restaurant Association, full service restaurants average 4% in profits. FOUR PERCENT!!! Actual cost of the food wholesale should be at 35%; given the economy, many restaurants are seeing those costs rise to 40% and 45%. Add to that employees to receive, store and prepare the food, spoilage, imperfect portion sizes, theft, rent, utilities, commercial property taxes, multiple other taxes including property taxes on your equipment, tables and chairs, ASCAP/BMI fees to play background music, more employees to serve customers and don't forget the cleaning company. And none of this accounts for the capital necessary to renovate, buy restaurant stoves, hoods, sinks, walk-ins, serving ware, pots, pans, napkins, insurance, dumpsters, exterminators, etc, etc, etc. For you Dogfish fans out there, a keg of Indian Brown Ale is $129 and the Belgian beers - Chimay is $80 a case! Those are wholesale prices from the distributers to class "C" licensees. What was someone saying about price points? Then there is the 900 pound gorilla in the room - the DC permitting process - documented as the worst in the nation per the Small Business Survival Index year after year.

5. I'm glad the posters who think this establishment should close at 10 or 11 PM have jobs with "normal" hours and get home in time to eat before their perfect restaurant closes. I, for one, often don't get home before 9:30 or 10 PM. So I guess I'm just plain out of luck if I would like to go to my neighborhood pub and get something to eat and a drink or two when I get off work. Pretty selfish of those of you who live in a perfect world! It is extremely disingenuous to say you support this establishment but think you should micromanage their hours, the beverages they serve as well as other minutia.

6. Please everyone, stop comparing this establishment to bars in other cities. Is DC like any other city? It's absurd and nothing but a red herring.

7. If these entrepreneurs can't open this establishment according to what it will take them to survive, I hope they cancel their lease and move to a neighborhood that will appreciate them. Meanwhile, we can continue to live with the 1st Street loitering and dead zone. Or perhaps a 24 hour market will move in - maybe even a 7-11 so we can have REAL activity on that block. And not a single one of you will get to weigh in on what opens because they won't have a liquor license. This is exactly what the Not In My Back Yard posters on this blog deserve. Joe said, "businesses don't exist in vacuums..." and neither do the blight and dead zones perpetuated by NIMBY mentalities.

8. Scott Roberts - I like you and certainly appreciate the thankless job you've undertaken to keep Bloomingdale informed. But, as a moderator, you should try a bit harder to not be so obvious about your bias. There have been many posts on this blog, but you felt you should highlight one poster's comments pushing for restricting hours and fantasizing about nightclubs. Your approach is stirring the pot and maybe that's what you want to do; but it isn't professional and detached like I've come to expect from your list-serve.

9. Finally, if you want this establishment to be a good neighbor, then be a good neighbor yourself. Welcome these entrepreneurs into the hood, meet with them and ask them about their business plan before you project about nightclubs and traffic and drunks and POLLUTION - Lions and TIgers and Bears - OH MY!!

Anonymous said...

To the people who plan to open this restaurant:

I'm glad you are coming. I live a few blocks away, and I will patronize your establishment, just as I patronize Windows, Timor, and Big Bear. If the pizza is good, it may be difficult to NOT patronize your establishment too much!

Welcome.

Anonymous said...

Judging from some of these comments, the venue should be serving a healthy dose of lithium along with their pizzas...

-JM

Anonymous said...

Jean, what a spiteful know-it-all you are.

Anonymous said...

I think it's so funny how this neighborhood has changed. Part of me welcomes the change because the past occupants just let the neighborhood go down, not really caring about what took place. The first new neighbors were nice (gay), but if you were not apart of their alternative life scene, you were against them. They were always pointing fingers and never really lending a hand with new businesses.
Now, that we have a more diverse community here in Bloomingdale, I feel new people need to know, we welcome you, but don't turn you head when you walk past us, everyone is not a criminal. I too wanted to open a business in the neighborhood, but before I could even speak with my partners about the logistics, I was getting a visit from Scott Roberts, which was a fake encounter, and I said to my partners, "These people are not going to support us". It's them against us, and nobody has time or money to be playing games in this day and time. Scott's talks a good game, but he is a fake person deep down. Anyhow, let's keep it real and be informed about what the business is actually about. Then can we past judgement! Oh, yea! Incidentally, I am not so happy with the Bear Cafe either. Please keep the grounds up and not make it an eyesoar to the community. I will give you a "C" for effort. We need a all community day so every can meet their neighbor instead just passing by them! Maybe?

Stu said...

The Farmers Market wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Scott Roberts. He helped raise money to get it off the ground, he constantly keeps people informed through the list-serve, he is constantly talking it up to new residents, whatever it is...

The Big Bear also got off the ground through ScottsList. It is how all of the original customers knew about it, and it is how people knew about the BBQs, the knitting club, the poetry nights, the civic meetings, the movie nights.. He helped with zoning issues, permitting issues, he gave advice for contacting the councilmen, with connecting us with the ANC, with getting public input...

Scott's brought a lot of people together - even if its just through showing up on people's doorsteps with his safari hat and a welcome basket when they first move to the neighborhood. He gets people talking.

I think you've mis-interpeted what he has said about this new restaurant. He may raise issues, but he has been supporting this place for years - since the owner bought the place 2?? years ago.

Anonymous said...

"Now, that we have a more diverse community here in Bloomingdale, I feel new people need to know, we welcome you, but don't turn you head when you walk past us, everyone is not a criminal."

This entire commentary has racial undertones. As a white person who has been in the neighborhood for many years, I'm sick of everyone dancing around the topic. I went from tip-toeing around it myself, to just being fed-up with it.

The fact is this: racism is alive and well in our neighborhood - where whites are the minority. And lots of african american folks just don't want to see any more white faces in the neighborhood, even if the price to keep whites out is the continued stagnation or even decay of the neighborhood.

Just because white people don't sit on their front stoops every night, doesn't mean that they are bad neighbors; no more than a few black men standing together on the sidewalk means that they are criminals.

Yes, some new white suburbanites are really annoying, but then so are the old-time drug dealers, theives, and prostitutes - who, by the way, are almost always black.

May the changes keep on coming. In fact, I'm tired of the racism and classism (as if being white and not impoverished means you're "bad").

Anonymous said...

Please, understand I know he is doing something, and atleast he is visible. I do agree, but I 've been in the neighborhood for 20 plus years, so I'm a litte more familiar with his disposition. I'm glad we have someone that has an interest in the neighborhood. So, I'm not getting him wrong, I just think he is the ambassador of Bloomingdale and he needs to be supportive of everybody including people that are different from him.
The Bloomingdale Follies, I'm not a member.

Thanks, for the other comment. I hope change keep on coming, but don't wonder why people have anomosity towards the new people. Just make sure make sure that the new people pick after their dogs, after all, no one wants to smell that when they are sitting on the porch, and cut your grass like evryone else. I expect much more from the new neighbors! Also, I was around during the Riots of 1968. White people ran from the city in packs! So, taking advantage of ther poor, and stealing the old owner's homes with high taxes and assesments, that is not cool! It's just my thought, everyone has one!

Anonymous said...

The anonymous post from 11 am today is a truly racist and prejudice comment and of course as with most hate speech the person was too much of a coward to post their name.

Anonymous said...

"Just make sure make sure that the new people pick after their dogs, after all, no one wants to smell that when they are sitting on the porch, and cut your grass like evryone else."

My experience is the exact opposite. It is the 'old timers' (a euphamism) who tend to have eye-level weeds in their yards, and even some weeds and trees growing out of the mortar between the bricks on the front of their homes.

It is the "old-timers" who have dobermans and pit bulls as fashion accessories and who would never pick up after their dogs because to do so would be very uncool. Perhaps picking up after their dogs is "acting white"?

Anonymous said...

The homophobia in DC is astounding. It too has a racial component: straight blacks against gay whites. It is a situation that often turns violent, and it most certainly is underreported.

Blatant racism. And it manifested itself again here, on this blog, as an anti-Scott rant.

May.The.Changes.Keep.Coming.

Anonymous said...

Pete, thank you for your comment it was honest and sincere, but it was that, your thoughts! Whether or not my views of was is the truth make some people uncomfortable, well I'm sorry. I have nothing against the "Follies", but I watched them chastise a business just because they did not want to associate with them. Ask Scott, he knows. If he care to remember what he has done in the past!

Nevertheless, I don't need put my name up to express my thoughts. In a time where people can are stealing identities and commiting all kinds of stuff, who really needs to. Besides, this is a BLOG, not a meet your neighbor party. If that happens, I'll be glad to intoduce myself, PETE!

P.S. If this does not make sense, go ahead and publish you phone number, address, and social security number!

Anonymous said...

I'm dumb

Anonymous said...

I hate to get off on a tangent of a tangent, but most people with enough computer smarts to comment on a blog, have enough sense to realize that putting your name on your comments in no way compromises the security of your SSN and identity. The only reason not to put your name on a comment is a fear of people recognizing your name and therefore thinking less of you because of your racist/homophobic/classist thoughts.
Anyway, I can’t wait for Baraki.
Kyle Richardson
Team Scott Roberts

Anonymous said...

no good deed goes unpunished.

Anonymous said...

"but don't wonder why people have anomosity towards the new people."

Oh really? In return, you should have NO DOUBT about why there is animosity toward the old people.

By the way, your poor writing skills are recognizable from Scott's email. Which means "new people" know who you are.

Didn't the neighborhood already go through all of this in the 50's, when the "old people" were the "new people" and "my people" were the original owners of these properties?

Anonymous said...

Well, thanks guys, you have made my point! I believe we all have thoughts about everything that goes on. I see that "your people" still have issues, but so does everyone I know. I'm laughing because you believe you know my race by the emails. Anyhow, I did make the comment about not putting your name on a Blog because you can gain someone's identity from it. The internet is a marverlous resource. You can gain anything from public records or sites. here is one example of my point;

Full-screen - Peter Pawlowski
Donation of $601 to Presidential elections 2008 Full-screen
Imagery: © 2007 Huffington Post, Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of UsePartiesCandidatesObamaClintonMcCain1000 ft200 mClick to see 2004 mapDrag&Zoom older results
$601 was given by people who identified their last name as "Pawlowski" and first name as "Peter".
$0 to Republicans
$601 from 1 person to Democrats
DonorContributionAddress
Peter Pawlowski
Donation of $601 to Presidential elections 2008
Peter Pawlowski
Developer
Competitive Power Ventures Updated
Q2/2008
Barack Obama
$601 68 T ST NW
Washington DC Did you know that $621,959 was donated in this donor's zip code (20001)? Click here to find out how much was given and to who.
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To: Separate emails with ,From: Send a copy to my emailMessage: Hi, I'd like to share a HuffingtonPost Fundrace Maps link with you.

So, I'n not stupid after all! What was funny is that they even have a google map attached to show how to get to his house.

Anonymous said...

You're right. Please continue with your lecture about gay people, white people, and gay white people. We're all ears (or eyes in this case).

People who leave poop in the streets and don't sit on their stoops. Anything else?

Anonymous said...

what constitutes a persons "people"?

Anonymous said...

just because information is public and legal to publish, doesn't make it cool to do so.

i hope the host deletes that post.

Anonymous said...

what constitutes a persons "people"?"

In this case, the question is best left to our Google expert who has been in the neighborhood since at least 1968 and makes statements like this:

"but don't wonder why people have anomosity towards the new people."

and

"Now, that we have a more diverse community here in Bloomingdale, I feel new people need to know, we welcome you, but don't turn you head when you walk past us, everyone is not a criminal."

See, s/he frames everything in an "us or them" "new v. old" perspective. What s/he is dancing around is the fact that s/he doesn't like the way "new people" look or behave. Why? See the list below:

Racist. Classist. Homophobe.

Anonymous said...

I am LOVING this ongoing debate/discussion/open grievances and kudos to Bloomingdale's new pizzeria/night club/eatery establishment.

LOVING it.

BUT - I, too, have a complaint.

My fiance and I moved to the 'Dale earlier this year.

We didn't get a welcome basket from Scott Roberts.

Anonymous said...

This is from Scott Roberts, who DOES, by the way, support the Baraki pizza restaurant: To Quirky Quincy -- did you want a new neighbor welcome packet? I've got tons of neighborhood info that I can provide you, some current, some dated. If you are interested, then let me know.

Anonymous said...

Pretty much every time "white", "black", "newcomers" "old" or "gay" is mentioned on neighborhood blogs, we're going down the wrong path.

Subdividing people by external characteristics is unhelpful to our neighborhood.

We can always find differences and draw lines, but it takes strength and integrity to find our commonalities. Please be strong Bloomingdale.

Anonymous said...


Subdividing people by external characteristics is unhelpful to our neighborhood.


Can we say "member of the Follies"? 'Cause membership in the Follies seems to upset a bunch of old folks. (even if those old folks are teenagers... right, Randolph Pl NW?)

Anonymous said...

Scott, you're too kind.

But I was simply making light of an earlier post.

My favorite response to this was:

"I want them to serve organic water hand-squeezed from the fur of free-range alpacas locally grown in Hyattsville. And they must not call themselves a Gastropub or have entrees over the critical $9.95 price point. Othewise I will whine all over local blogs."

HERE, HERE!

Anonymous said...

yes, however, I didn't receive a welcome basket either.

yet I cannot reveal my name or address for fear of mr/ms "i've been here since 1968" coming to my home and roughing me up for not looking at him/her properly while walking down the street.

Anonymous said...

What about Mr/Mrs "i've been here since 1969?" They've had a hard time too, you know.

Ageism to boot!

TIMEISM!

Right here on our very own blog!

Despicable.

Anonymous said...

exactly, so when things start getting better you think they would be the last ones to complain

Anonymous said...

This is a great thread over at Prince of Petworth. Well worth a read.

Link

http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=3729#comments

Anonymous said...

racism in bloomingdale:

Link

(read the first entry)

http://backtothehood.com/theblackprint/?id=1

Anonymous said...

I just hope it's not gentrifiers patronizing the place, but rather the people who have been living here for years.

That's one thing we need less of in this neighborhood, gentrification.

Ya'll white people have really come in and just taken over. I saw a lady running at midnight in Crispus Attucks Park in pearls a few weeks ago, made me chuckle, but wow..

..I mean, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but the fact of the matter is, A) You're segregating yourself from the black folks who have been living here through generations and B) Since you've moved in, all the prices on anything have gone up - from property taxes to coffee at Windows Cafe.

Not everyone has expendable income to afford this, pushing people out of the neighborhood and therefore, turning what was once the chocolate city, into the vanilla city.

Nonetheless, I'm happy to see a bar coming into the neighborhood. I really am.

DC in general, definitely needs more dive bars. However, calling it a "tavern" certainly reeks of gentrification.

..I have a feeling it's going to be one of those all-white affairs in our black neighborhood, like the Big Bear Cafe.

Anonymous said...

Also, I agree with the poster who mentioned white people not looking at him.

I've noticed to be this huge separation between white folks and black folks in our neighborhood. I see a lot of ICE QUEENS out there, jogging like I don't exist, just taking up the sidewalk expecting me to move.

Ya'll are atrocious with your behavior sometimes. Like you OWN EVERYTHING, even the air.

I certainly understand why people don't like you in this neighborhood. If you're in denial of that, then you're just oblivious.

IMGoph said...

ok, that's it, i'm shutting down comments on this post. i pass a lot of black people on the sidewalk who don't return my cheerful "hello"s when i walk by. same with white people. it has nothing to do with race. it has everything to do with a general lack of friendliness here on the east coast.

Wedding Rings said...

Wow! I didn't realize. I'm out of the country for a little while and POW. It's about time!!!

Darren X. said...

"turning what was once the chocolate city, into the vanilla city."

Wow, talk about segregating yourselves. Hypocrite.