Business gets done in Glover Park even in the hot, lazy summer. A new restaurant opens; an old restaurant seeks alcohol; a gym clarifies their identity; and a rug store comes to Furniture Row. Here is a rundown of summer business activity in the neighborhood.
Aladdin House of Kabob and Gyros Opens!
Nabila Kauser and Konstantin Silov, of Fort Washington MD and Annandale VA respectively, finally were successful in getting Aladdin House of Kabob and Gyros open in June. They operate through the corporation Kabob and Gyros DC, Inc. Their first zoning hurdle involved an attempt to open a restaurant solely offering delivery and takeout, which violated the property’s MU-27 zoning rules, and the plan was rejected by DC Department of Buildings (formerly DCRA). They adjusted by offering 33 indoor seats for sit-down service. Then, they failed three zoning inspections for electrical and fire safety reasons, which is frustrating and not uncommon in DC, but finally passed, got zoning approval and opened for business. Here are some menu highlights: Gyro ($10), Falafel ($9), kabobs ($14-$19), pizza ($14), wings ($10), Baklava ($4). 17 of 19 five-star reviews on Google! Trivia: Can you name the other two restaurants in Glover Park offering gyros and/or kabobs?
All About Burger to Re-Open
All About Burger at 2414 Wisconsin Avenue closed back in March to focus on the Mono by All About Burger sister restaurant in Georgetown, but now they are seeking a liquor license and then will re-open the Glover Park restaurant. Owners Abraham and Mohammad Esfahani are seeking a Class D license to sell beer and wine in store as well as include for delivery. The protest deadline in August 8th, an ABCA hearing is scheduled for August 28th, and a protest hearing, if needed, for October 18th. The harsh reality for many restauranteurs is that liquor sales are necessary to maintain adequate profitability in this economy. As is customary in the neighborhood, the license-seeker has sought formal support from the Glover Park Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC3B), and I believe they received it at the July meeting, though meeting results have not been posted. Look for a grand re-opening by September. Burgers, cheesesteaks and wings, from $8-$12. Plus a fi-dolla shake ($5.79 actually).
Washington Sports Club Transforms
What’s in a name? That which we call a gym by any other name would smell just as sweet. Not saying the gym smells sweet, but Washington Sports has lost its name. Apparently the marketers at New York Sports Club were tired of the schizophrenia and have dropped the names Washington-, Philadelphia- and Boston- from their sports club names. All 47 clubs up and down the east coast now are called New York Sports Club. I guess New York fitness has a cache, maybe like New York bagels? I do like those. In this case, I guess they feel New York buns are more desirable. You can still sign up for $50 a month. They’ve changed the websites, though the sign change will take a while, because signs are a process here in DC. Maybe if business explodes due to the marketing genius, they will rent the downstairs former Rite Aid space, vacant now for years.
Azam Rugs Opens
Anatolian Art rebranded itself as Azam Rugs after they grabbed the sweet vacated Sweetgreen space in February on the ground floor of 2200 Wisconsin Avenue, with its corner walls of windows to display their wares. They sell handwoven Persian and Oriental rugs in addition to offering rug cleaning, repairs and appraisals. The proprietors opened in Van Turkey in 1945 and moved to Istanbul in 1960, then San Francisco in 2000, and now Glover Park in 2023! All five-star reviews on Google so far. The business complements the growing “Furniture Row” across the street, which includes Theodore’s, Ligne Roset, Room 22 and the newly opened Saka Home Furnishings.
Chris Jones
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