A solid competitor for Starbuck's would be very nice, like Coffy Cafe in Col. Heights.

I completely agree, OP. I love in the neighborhood too, and I think the strip could use a little facelift. The Child's Play (and the part that was the video store) sign is awful. There is also a weed jungle outside of Ramer's, the pharmacy and the USPO. I'm for a mix of local chains (Jetties), mom n pop, and even a few larger chains are fine my dream would be Safeway leaving and Trader Joe's taking its place.). It definitely needs a little sprucing up, though.

Anonymous wrote:News flash - Connecticut Avenue in Upper NW has always been gentrified. It was built that way in the 1800s.

I think that was a joke!

An improved historic commercial "Avenue" will bring greater property values - bring it on!

Have no fear, CC Circle area will never look like Friendship Heights. It does not have the land. A few improved shops/options, nicer sidewalks, more landscaping, maybe some benches would be great. An attractive place you would want to stroll along in the evening would be nice.

Someone told me the other day Pumpernickel's is so gross they won't go in it anymore. Bread and Chocolate (which is just an older version of Panera) is also pretty bad. The one on Capitol Hill closed and became a Le Pain Quotidien. It was dead and totally revived with an updated version of the same thing. I agree, time for positive change people!

I like those blocks a ton too. The Safeway is a dump and I miss La Lomita II, but everything else is fine.

Anonymous wrote:Good grief. This is a lot of excitement about basically some old awnings and storefront signs. The sidewalks and buildings are in fine shape.

By and large the businesses on Conn are mom-and-pop shops that are wonderful. I'm sure they'd like some new awnings too. But I would much rather have pumpernickel's bagel shop, the fishmonger, and Bread and Chocolate than another Panera bread or pharmacy. So while it would be great if the awnings and signs were fancier, I would hate to do anything that would turn our little neighborhood shops into another "strip" of chain stores.

+1 -- I live within walking/biking distance of FH, CC Circle and Bethesda, and much prefer the CC Circle area. Sure, the Safeway could stand improvement, but there are many great small shops in that neighborhood. I'll also note that those businesses are very supportive of the public schools, generously contributing to auctions and prizes. I'm not sure the chains do that.

Good grief. This is a lot of excitement about basically some old awnings and storefront signs. The sidewalks and buildings are in fine shape.

By and large the businesses on Conn are mom-and-pop shops that are wonderful. I'm sure they'd like some new awnings too. But I would much rather have pumpernickel's bagel shop, the fishmonger, and Bread and Chocolate than another Panera bread or pharmacy. So while it would be great if the awnings and signs were fancier, I would hate to do anything that would turn our little neighborhood shops into another "strip" of chain stores.

12:30 Connecticut Avenue in Upper NW is not ritzy. Friendship Heights, City Center, and Georgetown are, but not Conn Ave near CC Circle. I have lived on Capitol Hill (before it was cool) and shopped on Georgia Ave in the Walmart and Payless Shoe Store among others. Suggesting Connecticut Avenue is in need of some attention, maintenance, and improvements is not a bad thing or "living in a bubble". That is a ridiculous statement! It would only help the businesses and neighborhood to make improvements and get community leaders, citizens, and business owners involved. All rundown neighborhoods should do the same - including Georgia Ave. And while we are on the topic, Georgia Avenue has actually seen improvements recently and is in better condition than it was 10 nears ago. The city and leaders are actively working on streets cape and improving roads, transportation and businesses. That, unfortunately, can not be said for Connecticut Ave at CC Circle. If the city won't do anything about improving our commercial district because they are focused on historically more needy neighborhoods, then it is up to our community leaders and business owners to figure out ways to get it done. Improved streets capes and businesses = more customers and more $$. This is not a bad thing to suggest and strive towards - that is all I am saying!

Are you talking about the block between McKinley and Morrison?

Why is it a bad thing to suggest and encourage community leaders and business owners should do what they can to take pride in their neighborhood and fix things up? As with any property, regular maintenance goes a long way towards maintaining healthy structures vs waiting for them to rot and completely fall apart before you do anything about it. It costs less also. The businesses that are struggling are often doing so because they lack customers. You often lack customers because there is a better option somewhere else (even if you have to drive farther away). I have seen rundown business districts in DC change dramatically with improved streetscapes and new options. This does not mean they have to lose their character. Look at Capitol Hill, 14th and U Streets, downtown DC, etc. Comparing ourselves to Georgia Ave and making that the standard for when we finally decide to make improvements should not be the answer.

News flash - Connecticut Avenue in Upper NW has always been gentrified. It was built that way in the 1800s.

=I frequent upper Connecticut Avenue a lot between Military and CC Circle. The thing is I also frequent Georgia Avenue and other less ritzy streets a lot too. If you think Connecticut Avenue is run down, you must not ever leave your bubble!

Not sure what you're trying to suggest - make businesses fix their awnings and make DC address sidewalks? I'm sure everyone will get around to this stuff when they can and when money exsits, but DC has to address the WHOLE city first and this area isn't a priority. Also, in case you haven't heard, small business has taken a huge hit in the past decade, so maybe fixing the awnings and signs aren't exactly top priority or financially feasible. You could try asking the businesses individually or calling the owners?

Sounds like you could start yourself a committee. What will your slogan be? I know: Let's Gentrify Upper Connecticut Together!

How downtrodden does Connecticut Avenue, NW in Chevy Chase need to get before anyone does anything about it? Community leaders, business owners, and home owners should be embarrassed (as I am). The store fronts are dilapidated, sidewalks are a mess, and tree wells have more weeds than trees on some blocks. Cleveland Park section of Conn looks far nicer, VanNess section is getting shinned up - when is someone going to take action in CC? The population of homeowners in CC, DC and MD would certainly frequent "The Avenue" more if there was a nicer looking street scape and better options. So many neighbors seem to travel to Friendship Heights and Bethesda for purchases. They all say they would prefer to go closer on Conn, but there are no good options and everything is just run down. I am not suggesting box stores, just some better restaurants (Macon and Jetties have been good additions), renovated store fronts, nice sidewalks, attractive street lights, and tree wells with actual healthy trees and no weeds. One major example is the Child's Play store, their store front is the worst offender (especially for how popular they are). Are they waiting for the crumbling faded blue sign to fall down on a child before they renovate/fix it? Another deplorable example is the Chinese restaurant - how long until they replace the missing and broken awning. I could also mention the rundown Safeway, but that could be a thread on it's own. I live in the neighborhood and love it, but this is getting ridiculous. We need to take pride in our neighborhood and get the business owners and community leaders to do the same. We are lucky to have a commercial avenue in our beautiful residential neighborhood and we should take action to make it look nice and be far more successful!