RSS FeedValet Boot Camp
We don’t really know what the event pictured above is, but while at Safeway we caught the start of an event at the surface parking lot on 5th between K and NY Ave. It appeared to be a combination BBQ and driving course. People were taking turns driving a pickup truck down the lot weaving between the yellow cones. Once they reached the end, they would put the truck in reverse and do it all backwards.
The only sign visible was a tent advertising a valet service, but we didn’t get a chance to talk to anyone so we’re not sure who is hosting the event. Still the BBQ smelled great and the driving looked like fun. If we had not already been straining under the weight of our groceries we would have walked over to find out more. Any of our readers have the scoop?
What Rhymes With Gucci? Not Balducci’s
“What rhymes with a luxury goods retailer like Gucci?” was our hint last Friday. The answer is not…Balducci’s. And it’s the infamous “Balducci’s space” at 425 7th Street, NW, that Carmine’s of New York, an Italian restaurant, will occupy by February 2010 according to this WaBizJo post. Last week, we let you know that Carmine’s was advertising for positions in the Penn Quarter and speculated where it might land on 7th Street. We linked to the historical image so you can get the back in the day look.
In the world of retail openings, nothing is for sure until the doors swing open and the spaghetti and chianti appear on the table but it finally looks like the dice have been cast for this space after a three year long neighborhood saga.
Thanks FourthandEye!
Smoothie King Opens In Gallery Place ‘Yard *UPDATED*
UPDATE (August 12): Smoothie King management indicates this location is planning to officially open on September 1, 2009. It is not currently open for regular business.
A Smoothie King (703 7th St, NW) is now open in the vendor hut closest to the Gallery Place entrance in the red brick courtyard between Clyde’s and the Verizon Center. We checked it out yesterday and the smoothies were indeed smooth and fresh. They were still training a few of the folks behind the three blender counter so there was a wait but we did end up with the product as advertised. They also offer a Frequent Buyer Card to lower your overall cost of purchases and add to your other frequent PQ buyer vendor cards. Not all the vendor huts appear to be leased out yet but this business makes sense in our book. What could go in the other vendor huts?
DC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood
Downtown – The DNA hosts a meeting on shaping downtown parks to make them kid and family friendly. What’s the end game? Let’s keep growing families downtown as they grow instead of having them move out to MoCo or Arlington or upper NW. [DC DNA]
Mount Vernon Square – Thoughts on the DC Council’s rolling back the vacant property tax rate to 5%. [Life in Mount Vernon Square]
Capitol Hill – We always enjoy visiting Barracks Row to go out and eat with Capitol Hill friends. We also enjoyed reading this Q & A with James Dalpee, the Executive Director for Barracks Row Main Street. [The Hill Is Home] [Twitter: @thehillishome]
Anacostia – And Now, Anacostia has its two year “blogiversary.” Congrats! [And Now, Anacostia]
14th Street – A short video on the Mid-City Business Association’s Dog Days sidewalk sale on 14th Street. [Borderstan]
Penn Quarter Living on Twitter is here and on Facebook is here.