Target to get fruits and veggies

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham had a surprise on the Columbia Heights listserv today -- the DCUSA Target is getting a produce section. He writes:

We have also been informed that Target will open some 100 positions in the near future. Target is opening a full grocery store in July and extra staff is required.

It's actually opening in the fall reports the Washington City Paper:

… Target is planning to expand its current dry goods section to include more grocery-type items, including produce–a critical factor making it a viable alternative to Giant's weekend lines. The remodeling will start any day now and finish sometime in October, taking out some abutting retail sections.

So with the expanding groceries selection at Target, the CH Farmers' Market, and the eventual opening of Ellwood Thompson's, maybe now we can stop complaining about Giant?

Meridian Pint Opens Thursday!

Long awaited and table tap enabled Meridian Pint is set to open
Thursday.

It's looking great and has an awesome vegetarian and vegan friendly
menu.

Movie Nights in the Heights Premiers Tonight

So it's really hot out. But you know what? You chose to live in DC. So
get over it and get on over to Movie Nights in the Heights!

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative will be showing Men in Black at
8:30PM at Tubman Field on 11th and Kenyon. Starting at 8PM there will
be DJ entertainment.

You know what else? Men in Black was good. The sequel was not, but
that's why they aren't showing the sequel. So THL suggest you check it
out.

Columbia Heights Day June Events

The Columbia Heights Day Initiative has a lot more going on this summer than the awesome festival with the camel and cupcakes.

Coming up this month...

Thursday, June 17 - Fundraiser at the Wonderland. Drink specials with the purchase of an awesome Columbia Heights Day cup.
Thursday, June 24 - Movie Nights in the Heights premiers at Tubman field with a Men in Black showing. 

First Impression: Columbia Heights Farmers Market

The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace opened this morning to overcast skies but luckily no rain. I stopped by during my morning coffee run and was pleasantly surprised with the open set-up on the Civic Plaza, as well as the nice mix of growers and producers.

Price-wise, fruit and veggies were comparable to other farmers' markets I frequent, but I did find that lettuces were 50 cents to a dollar cheaper here than other neighborhood markets.

The Marketplace has a full list of vendors on its website, but here is a rundown of my favorites:

• Dolcezza Gelato - yummy gelato and sorbet from the Georgetown and now Dupont gelato shop
• Stachowski Brand Charcuterie - delicious artisan sausages and meats
• Upper Crust Bakery - I am enjoying a scone from them right now
• Twin Post Farm, LLC - farm fresh chicken eggs, and come September, duck eggs

Can you use the CH Community Marketplace as your one weekly farmers' market visit? Perhaps. But I think my ideal Saturday morning will now be visits to both the Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights farmers' markets. You can get all the local fruit, veggies, cheeses, and breads you need. Plus even some gelato for dessert.

"These are not the hipsters you are looking for." **

Oh, the things you find on craigslist. This one is for an indie, hipster, robot movie. (The next great film genre, of course.)

DROIDSTER is a action/drama short set in Columbia Heights, DC. Robot hipsters are operating out of basements in the neighborhood, abducting unsuspecting preppies and turning their insides into oily mechanics. These aren't your father's evil robots, however -- they ride fixed gear bikes, wear skinny jeans, jeggings, christmas socks, and big sunglasses. They also suck at life.

** We are accepting other robot puns in the comments below.

Ellwood Thompson's set for January 2011 and IHOP to be 24 hours

Lots of news coming out of yesterday's North Columbia Heights Community Association meeting. The Washington City Paper reports that Ellwood Thompson's will open at DCUSA in January. Writes The Housing Complex blog:

Ellwood Thompson's, the elusive organic grocer that's had a sign in a window on Irving Street off 14th for at least a year now–having put plans on ice last April–is in final lease negotiations and expects to begin construction in July and finally open in January 2011, according to a company spokesman.

It's the second location for the Richmond, Virginia-based store. According to Chief Financial Officer Jack McGrath, food prices will be comparable with Whole Foods, and they'll also have in-store dining. "I like to say we're building a restaurant that sells groceries, rather than a grocery store that sells prepared food," he said at a meeting of the North Columbia Heights Community Association this evening.

We have heard quite a number of possible opening dates for the store numerous times over the past few years, but maybe the appearance of its CFO makes it a little more official this time around. The City Paper also shares the news that the on-its-way IHOP will be open 24 hours. Who wants pancakes at 3 am!

It's great to see more additions to DCUSA and perhaps the new retail leasing signage will bring about some more local and national businesses to the space. A flyer on the the Cushman & Wakefield website reveals a lot more details on the available space. IHOP will be on the second floor, utilizing a new entrance that will be accessible from Irving Street.

So the ever on-going question for Columbia Heights, what would you like to see at DCUSA?