Little Known Fact: Adams Morgan businesses offer discounts and sales every first Tuesday of each month. The Adams Morgan First Tuesdays is organized by the Mainstreet for the neighborhood. Business and civic leaders are in a constant battle to re-brand the 18th street strip as a lively 24 hour neighborhood that's not just good for late-night debauchery. There are a growing number of quality, independent shops on the strip, like Meeps, Hoopla, Pixies, Crooked Beat and Smash! Records which offer shopping during the daytime and nighttime hours. During the First Tuesdays event restaurants offer food and drink for two for $25 and participating retailers offer 10-30% off sales.I visited Smash! Records on October's First Tuesday. Smash! was an M Street institution for years in Georgetown, before closing and being reincarnated within the last year at 2314 18th St (2nd floor). The record store mostly stocks new and used punk, indie, metal, and rock CDs and records. They also have a truly, truly under-rated selection of independent and local clothing labels, vintage clothing and shoes. True to the promotion, they were offering 15% off most every item in the store. I picked up a first pressing of a 1990s hardcore album, Side by Side's You're Only Young Once... and a t-shirt by an independent designer from Philadelphia. The owners had some snack foods for visitors and by the time I left quite a few people had stopped by and many had made purchases. A few photos for you are below. Next First Tuesday, I think I'll try one of Adams Morgan's great eateries... Can't wait!
