Georgetown is DEAD. Georgetown used to be so much FUN. So what happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I was in Georgetown on Saturday afternoon and it was PACKED with people--mostly tourists I think. The people on this thread saying it's become too upscale are nuts--all the old stores have been replaced with fast-fashion chains and junky crap like Wawa. Back in the good old days, there was a great independent bookstore (RIP Olsson's), a upscale department store (Garfinkel's), fun shops like Commander Salamandar etc. There was a great French restaurant where Banana Republic is now, and Nathan's was a mainstay for decades on the corner across from there. Oh well.

Rive Gauche.

Yes! And remember Le Steak on M St? It was the original version of what Medium Rare does now--just steak, salad and frites. So good!

Yes! And remember that the banana republic had the faux safari look? Loved Britches too.

DP - YES!!! Banana Republic was so cool and novel. And I wore tons of rugby shirts from Britches (I'm a woman).

I'm so DC that my first job in high school was at Clyde's and my second was at Britches. I graduated from high school in 1987.

‘86 grad of a NoVa high school!

[Anonymous]

There was an incredible vintage clothing store across Wisconsin from Gtown Park - I think it was called “Classic Clothing,” or something like that. I bought the best oversized men’s tweed coat - the menswear for women trend was in full swing in the 80s. I treasured that coat.

Also: Poseurs, Tombs, Commander Salamander, etc. Great times!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was an incredible vintage clothing store across Wisconsin from Gtown Park - I think it was called “Classic Clothing,” or something like that. I bought the best oversized men’s tweed coat - the menswear for women trend was in full swing in the 80s. I treasured that coat.

Also: Poseurs, Tombs, Commander Salamander, etc. Great times!

You had me scared for a sec, so I checked. Still open, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Georgetown and wish you were right.

People move out of Georgetown because it is becoming impossible to afford it. Georgetown is more expensive than ever.

And, unfortunately, we don't suffer a lack of visitors. Last weekend it was so hard to find a parking spot on my street! I feel like all Virginia people come here to shopping when the weather is good.

What?! We go to Tyson's. Much much better shopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand putting a Capitol One Cafe @ the corner of WI and M. Maybe I have no vision but I just don't see how these Capitol One Cafes can survive.

+1

Silly.

They can survive bc they are funded by your bank fees. No other reason.

[Anonymous]

I really miss Barnes and Noble on M....I went in there the other day, and it was really disappointing...why does it take up to 3 floors of sports clothes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really miss Barnes and Noble on M....I went in there the other day, and it was really disappointing...why does it take up to 3 floors of sports clothes!

I used to see Ben Stein in there on occasion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White people feel safe in more areas of DC, which meant more competition.

Plus, I also blame Jack Evans for terrible leadership, the NIMBYs for actively blocking commercial and residential development, and the liquor license moratorium which prevented new restaurants and bars from opening.

And now the local residents have the temerity to go to ANC meetings and whine about how Wisconsin Ave has so much empty retail. Duh, you old timers caused it!

-A Young Family in Burleith

This. Back in the day it was Georgetown, a small section of Midtown, Dupont, or Adams Morgan for fun. Cap Hill if you lived or worked there. Now white people live and play in lots of DC neighborhoods.

It's sad that Georgetown has changed so much for the worse. Georgetown has such beautiful architecture, charming streets, and the waterfront. Do you mind sharing what Jack Evans did that led to its demise?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Georgetown and wish you were right.

People move out of Georgetown because it is becoming impossible to afford it. Georgetown is more expensive than ever.

And, unfortunately, we don't suffer a lack of visitors. Last weekend it was so hard to find a parking spot on my street! I feel like all Virginia people come here to shopping when the weather is good.

What?! We go to Tyson's. Much much better shopping.

Great. Keep going there, please.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing special about Gtown anymore. It has the same retail you can find in the burbs. And that's a shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's nothing special about Gtown anymore. It has the same retail you can find in the burbs. And that's a shame.

What a shame!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in Georgetown on Saturday afternoon and it was PACKED with people--mostly tourists I think. The people on this thread saying it's become too upscale are nuts--all the old stores have been replaced with fast-fashion chains and junky crap like Wawa. Back in the good old days, there was a great independent bookstore (RIP Olsson's), a upscale department store (Garfinkel's), fun shops like Commander Salamandar etc. There was a great French restaurant where Banana Republic is now, and Nathan's was a mainstay for decades on the corner across from there. Oh well.

Rive Gauche.

Yes! And remember Le Steak on M St? It was the original version of what Medium Rare does now--just steak, salad and frites. So good!

Yes! And remember that the banana republic had the faux safari look? Loved Britches too.

DP - YES!!! Banana Republic was so cool and novel. And I wore tons of rugby shirts from Britches (I'm a woman).

I'm so DC that my first job in high school was at Clyde's and my second was at Britches. I graduated from high school in 1987.

Thanks, fossils, for the perspective.

‘86 grad of a NoVa high school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Georgetown and wish you were right.

People move out of Georgetown because it is becoming impossible to afford it. Georgetown is more expensive than ever.

And, unfortunately, we don't suffer a lack of visitors. Last weekend it was so hard to find a parking spot on my street! I feel like all Virginia people come here to shopping when the weather is good.

The cars are likely youngsters meeting friends for drinks at the waterfront t, pinstripes, big hangout spots (whatever those are now). I work in Georgetown, and it is super popular, although the crowd is very very different from 20 yrs ago.

You live there, so naturally have blocked out the blighted empty store fronts, the low brow retail, from the TJ max to the "suit" stores which seem to never change their window displays or have any customers, the gross student eateries, 7-11s, etc. Georgetown has a unique residential culture which sort of ignores all of that.

But generally speaking this thread is composed of people who used to heavily support the businesses which added a lot of character to the neighborhood (but are now gone.)

We are not contesting your property values, just saying the retail has lost its cache, and the experience of going to Georgetown is not really that special of an experience. You still have the bridge and tunnel crowd who party there, you will still get busloads of tourists at Sequoia, you will always have the Gtown students nail and hair salons and brunches, but the neighborhood has lost the interest of many people who were longtime patrons and very fond of the place. It is a true loss.

[Anonymous]

The cars are likely youngsters meeting friends for drinks at the waterfront t, pinstripes, big hangout spots (whatever those are now). I work in Georgetown, and it is super popular, although the crowd is very very different from 20 yrs ago.

You live there, so naturally have blocked out the blighted empty store fronts, the low brow retail, from the TJ max to the "suit" stores which seem to never change their window displays or have any customers, the gross student eateries, 7-11s, etc. Georgetown has a unique residential culture which sort of ignores all of that.

But generally speaking this thread is composed of people who used to heavily support the businesses which added a lot of character to the neighborhood (but are now gone.)

We are not contesting your property values, just saying the retail has lost its cache, and the experience of going to Georgetown is not really that special of an experience. You still have the bridge and tunnel crowd who party there, you will still get busloads of tourists at Sequoia, you will always have the Gtown students nail and hair salons and brunches, but the neighborhood has lost the interest of many people who were longtime patrons and very fond of the place. It is a true loss.

Pp here, also, big hookah crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wawa is actually pretty decent. I've tried their sandwiches and they're much better than Subway. Can't speak for the Georgetown branch.

You’re missing the point.