Shaw Main Streets Hosts Seven-Stop Ribbon Cutting Marathon
June 4th, 2014
On Monday, Shaw Main Streets hosted Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other invited guests as ribbons were cut celebrating the opening of seven new businesses, including new African, Italian, and seafood restaurants, a hotel, a muffin shop, a salon, and a Starbucks coffee shop.
The ribbon cutting marathon started at the Cambria Suites at 899 O St., NW, a 180-room all suites hotel that is part of the City Market at O development (www.cambriadc.com). Included in the hotel is Urban Kitchen, a small plates restaurant on the second floor.
The second stop on the Ribbon-Cutting Marathon was next door at 815 O St., NW, where Starbucks has opened their newest Washington, DC location (www.starbucks.com).
Then there was a sprint to 1817 7th St., NW, where Uprising Muffin Company owner Donnie Simpson, Jr. had fresh coffee and freshly-baked muffins prepared and waiting for attendees (www.uprisingmuffins.com). Right next door, Fishnet’s first DC location (original restaurant is in College Park, MD) is ready to serve their popular fish sandwiches and tacos for lunch and dinner (1819 7th St., NW, www.fishnet.com). Owner/chef Ferhat Yalcin was formerly the general manager of Shaw’s Corduroy Restaurant.
A few long strides up the block is Wanda’s on 7th, an all-new salon and spa from the only business owner returning to Progression Place from before the redevelopment of the site, with neighborhood favorite Wanda Henderson at the helm (1851 7th St., NW, www.wandason7th.com). Then there was a dash to 1924 9th St., NW, Lower Level, where owner Prince Makey’s Appioo African Bar and Grill serves West African cuisine at lunch and dinner time (www.appioorestaurant.com).
And the finish line was located at Dino’s Grotto (1914 9th St., NW, www.dinoinshaw.com), where the team from Dino in Cleveland Park, led by chef/owner Dean Gold, has brought Italian favorites from their former location and paired them with new, small plate selections and two bars.
“Seven new businesses, combined with another eight openings earlier in the year, means that we’re ahead of schedule in our race to open at least 20 new businesses in central Shaw this year,” said Alexander M. Padro, executive director of the non-profit Shaw Main Streets, which hosted the ribbon cuttings. “Back when we started in 2003, we’d be happy if we had a handful of openings to celebrate each year,” Padro continued. “Now, they’re coming so fast that the only way we can schedule ribbon cuttings is three, five, or seven at a time.”