Do You Want To Make More Money?

remember the piercer business at 9th and M NW?

Shouldn’t this business be clearing out just like the Waffle House for redevelopment?

I second Kelby’s comment. That place is an eyesore, and I get creeped out just looking in the window when I walk by.

To clarify – I wasn’t stating I think it should clear out because I’m not fond of the business. It’s just because I thought it was part of the same set of buildings that will be redeveloped with the Waffle house.

that was my understanding too kelby

I always though that business was just a front from some type of illegal activity. Can anyone comment on what type of products are actually sold in that place?

has anyone ever been downstairs? i work at American Apparel so they waved me on down after saying so… it’s a nightmare, to say the least. and all the porn they sell is at least 7 years old.

I work down the street and never realized what went on until I was googling some Larry Craig info. Came across a couple different sites, one of which led here:

http://www.gayuniverse.com/cruise/11899.html
not safe for work link

let’s say they sell space for certain activities. I’m amazed this goes on 1 block from the FBI

The building is not a front. I have bought things from there many times. It has a variety of things, and I am too lazy to go into detail.

argh… where’s the yearn for grittiness? not every part of pq should be a newly developed multi use pre cast concrete building. save some of the city-like establishments please…!

columbo, i also wonder the same. sometimes people follow their tattoo artist to a new shop, they aren’t just loyal to a certain establishment. hmmm, i’ve never seen anyone come or go from that place to tell the truth…

All of you sheltered people on here are really funny. I bet you all were shocked to know that there was (and maybe still is): (1) at least one whorehouse located on 6th in PQ;
(2) a massage parlor located in PQ;
(3) a late-night gambling site located in PQ
(4) a head shop (for drug use not sex!) located in PQ;
(5) a swingers club located in PQ; and
(6) several other establishments (about which it certainly is not wise to advertise on a public blog) located in PQ.

This is a city. An urban downtown living environment. As Tim says, you take the gritty with the shiny new buildings. For those who moved into the area without expecting these things, you were foolish to not consider their existence. For those who are just now shocked about learning that they exist, you should not be so naive.

As for me–no I do not frequent all of those places. But, I am plugged into our neighborhood enough to know that they exist and where they are.

So where are they #11? Please educate us “naive” residents. I gotta tell you, I have lived in bigger cities with more going on but much less crime than apparently is tolerated in PQ. So I don’t buy that it is just “urban” environment. I happen to live next to a front for drug dealing and prostitution in PQ and it is, straight up, a public safety issue. These aren’t residents or workers in this area. They come into our community and trash it.

ha yeah tim designate it historic…pre-historic. and maybe, they’ll move it into the Fun Fair store front when that dive is shuttered and closed for good.

just because something isnt “new” doesnt mean its not legal.. there are plenty of perfectly legal ..but no so shiny establishments in PQ… and dont be defensive..allll of anon 11’s list exist in bethesda as well..

xoxo

Anon #11,

Pu-lease, those of us on 6th Street preferred to call the “whorehouse” a brothel, or “Madam’s.” We are more refined that that!

Anyway, I say “preferred” (past tense) because Madam’s is gone. Balfour Beatty Construction occupies the space now. (Balfour is the contractor for the Akridge building at 700 6th St NW.)

Now where’s that gambling site you’re talking about?

ha, why doesn’t #11 be more site specific, it’s not like he’s going to be outted!

I know some of the places Anon #11 is referring to, but it is my understanding that Madam’s was not the only one operating in the area. With its closure, I think there is just one left–depending on how you define the geographic boundary of “Penn Quarter.”

I like this discussion a lot actually. It is a nice release from the grocery store talk, and should be educational for everyone. For some, it may help them learn where to go while for others it definately teaches them what areas to stay away from.

Hopefully, the mods are actually approving all the comments, particularly those with addresses.

“I gotta tell you, I have lived in bigger cities with more going on but much less crime than apparently is tolerated in PQ.”

Just because you did not know about it in those “bigger cities” does not mean that it was never there.

“These aren’t residents or workers in this area. They come into our community and trash it.”

I must have missed the memo that said PQ is exclusively open only to residents and employees. Funny–I never remember showing the bouncer my condo keys everytime I come into the neighborhood.

Quit feeling so entitled that this is your little neighborhood and that you are the only one who has the right to be here. Do people come in and trash it? Sure. But they do it in Georgetown, Bethesda, Tenleytown, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Arlington, and Old Town.

Good timing for this topic to come up again…I just got an email in response to my email to Tommy Wells’ office regarding Fun Fair Video linking me to his website (http://www.tommywells.org/content/view/246/30/) to read this blog entry:

Action on Fun Fair Video
Written by Tommy Wells
Thursday, 04 October 2007
I would like share some recent information for residents in the Mount Vernon Triangle and downtown neighborhoods regarding the ongoing efforts to close Fun Fair Video. On September 17, 2007 I crafted a letter to the Attorney General, Linda Singer which expressed my support for the closure of Fun Fair Video in an attempt to expedite the process. You can Click Here to read that letter.

Since that time, my office has been working with her office to investigate the matter and on Monday, October 1st, the District ‘s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) issued an order to revoke Fun Fair Video’s Certificate of Occupancy. The order will take 10 calendar days before it goes into effect, once the order has been delivered to Fun Fair.

Fun Fair now has the opportunity to go through the appeal process with the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and has the chance to file a stay of execution with the BZA, which would allow them to stay open throughout the appeal process with the Court of Appeals. I have been informed through the Attorney Generals office that it is unlikely the BZA will issue a stay of execution for Fun Fair to stay open throughout this process. However, that decision rests solely with the BZA and we will monitor it closely.

I look forward resolving this matter and continuing to work on your behalf. If you have any additional questions or comments about the issue please contact Daniel Conner in my office at 202-724-8063

Clara Barton Penthouse – Aargh! You used the “G” word, which should go the way of the “M” word (Hint: Move to the …).

Anon #11 – On target!!

How come the “enlightened” ones have not provided any more details or specifics, including locations, on these neighborhood amenities?

I think some of you have been watching too much Blade Runner or don’t get out of your underwear and away from your computer enough.

#21-

I suspect that either: (1) the locations have been posted, but not approved by the moderators; or (2) the people who are “enlightened” know that posting the locations will only result in the uptight ninnies reporting it to the proper authorities.

Anyone who knows the locations probably knows because they likely frequent one or more of them. Why would they want it reported?

you omitted (3) the sites the “enlightened” talk about don’t exist.

So far as I know, the only semi-operating brothels left in PQ are the ones that have already been previously raided by the FBI (neighbors of the Waffle Shop). They aren’t that much of a secret – they were listed in last year’s WaPo story.

But, these buildings are about to be demolished and replaced with a class A office building. So, the issue has taken care of itself.. at least until a new space is found.