Rewind: 7th and M NW

Good times at the old Warehouse.

OK, Warehouse Next Door ISN'T Moving to Columbia Heights

Last August I wrote on the news that the arts and music venue Warehouse Next Door was moving to Columbia Heights. Looks like that news was premature. The Dupont Current reports that the move to the old Bi-Rite convenience store on 11th St NW is off. Apparently the move was prohibitive in some way; too much renovation, cost, or other reasons. Paul Ruppert, the owner of Warehouse, wants to find another space for the venue, but isn't sure exactly where. The article notes that the Ruppert family, which owns the 7th St building in which the Warehouse is currently located, is looking for more lucrative tenants for the space because of real estate taxes. If the family has to sell the building for tax reasons, that should show the fault of city tax code and its support for small business. Local business owners and home owners have been battered by rising taxes over the last few years and even the best of the best, like Ben's Chili Bowl, have suffered. Good luck to Paul Ruppert in his serch for a new venue space. Hey Paul, don't forget about spaces along the 42 bus!

Warehouse Next Door to Move to Columbia Heights

It's official. The owners of the Warehouse Next Door are taking their business to Columbia Heights. This news has been rumored for a week or so and reported on Prince of Petworth's blog, but the move is now seems imminent. The Washington Biz Journal ran a story as well.

This is great news for Mt Pleasant, since the location on 11th street is walking distance. The former location was across the street from the Washington Convention Center, on 7th St NW. Our neighbors in Columbia Heights are really trying to fashion themselves as one of the best in-town neighborhoods this side of Rock Creek. Arts wise, they're already home the Gala Theater, Rorschach/Sanctuary Theatre, Art and Media House of the Latin American Youth Center and the Dance Institute of Washington. In addition 11th Street is really starting to reestablish itself as the community heart of the neighborhood. Its recent developmental history is in stark contrast to 14th Street's and feels more like the "real" Columbia Heights.

Warehouse Next Door would occupy the space on the old Bi-Rite drug store on 11th Street caddy-corner to the new brick oven pizza place, Red Rocks. The space is about two blocks north of Wonderland.