|
Rafael tries to interest her dog Jazz in a tasty treat
from Cantina Marina's "Doggie Bar."
Photo bu Celeste McCallk
|
Yap It Up
On a muggy Monday evening I ventured into the world of dog lovers. As a lifelong cat person, this was new to me. So–joined by two dedicated canine fanciers, Nan Raphael with her mixed-breed white pooch Jazz, and Sharon Davis, accompanied by Pekinese Mr. Pudgie, I visited Yappy Hour at Southwest’s Cantina Marina.
We found an outside table in view of the Channel; the Odyssey was docked alongside. As we humans sipped margaritas (frozen peach and raspberry for Sharon and Nan, plain lime-on-the-rocks for me), our canines munched free biscuits and lapped from water bowls. Our helpful server, Laura, brought appetizers of empanadas and tamales, presented on colorful plates. Other options included mini corndogs, calamari and nachos. Dishes were modestly priced ($5 to $12), and our $7 margaritas included a tequila upgrade to Don Cuervo.
As a refreshing breeze chased away the humidity, we were joined by a pair of diminutive Papillons named Chance and Chloe. Another Cantina server, Brittany Smith, posed holding Chance. Eventually, about a dozen dogs (all on leashes, owners in tow) showed up: beagles, a chocolate lab, mixed breeds. A doggone good time was enjoyed by everyone.
Cantina Marina is located at 600 Water St. SW (202-554-8396). Yappy Hour runs Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., where leashed dogs and humans may sit on the patio for reduced-priced drinks and light fare. www.cantinamarina.com
More Yappy
Union Pub, 201 Massachusetts Ave. NE, near Union Station, also caters to canines. Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., the pub dispenses free doggie treats and water. For human companions: $5 mini corndog buckets, Dog Tail red and white wine, and Flying Dog Tire Bite golden ale. Call 202-546-7200. www.unionpubdc.com
Making a Splash
Tim Temple, proprietor of Splash! Carwash, had a problem. His best customers kept breaking his conveyer belts. First, some history: Thirty-one years ago, Temple bought property at First and North Capitol streets. “I tried to figure out what the Hill needed,” said Temple, 73, who’s lived on the Hill since 1963. “What made people have to drive to Virginia? When my ex-wife suggested a carwash, I studied carwashes for four years, visiting 85 nationwide. Then I designed and built Splash! Since then, we’ve washed hundreds of thousands of cars. It proves, ‘Build it and they will come!’
“After 9/11, US Capitol Police administration heads (whose maintenance division is nearby), were issued armored vehicles,” Temple continued. The huge SUVs weighed 12,000 pounds each. Although I had the strongest conveyer belt in the world, they were breaking apart from the cruisers’ weight. I spent several thousand dollars re-welding, but that wasn’t working. So we closed last Friday (Aug. 7) for a $50,000 rehab job and reopened a week later. We now have the heaviest conveyer belt ever made,” said Temple proudly as he and some of his 16 employees applied finishing touches to the bright blue and yellow machinery, wisecracking all the while. “It can even take tanks!”
It wasn’t a tank – but first in line for the Splash! reopening was Parker Jayne, founder of the Capitol Hill Chorale. In July 1996, Jayne was Temple’s first customer, so he repeated the performance when his maroon Camry passed through flappers and cascades of water. A basic wash at Splash!, including inside cleaning, is $15, additional services are extra. Open daily, Splash! is located at 10 I St. SE; call 202-547-7527. www.splashcarwash.com
On the Avenue
Things are heating up on the “Avenue.” Ritz Camera, 223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, closed earlier this summer. Sliding into that spot soon will be MyEyeDr., a nationwide chain combining optometry and eye wear services. The group maintains several other outlets in the Washington metropolitan area. Call 202-544-9220.
Next door at 227 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, the Heritage Foundation House Annex is preparing to move into the space vacated by Trover’s Card and Gift Shop. The conservative think tank has totally gutted the building and expects to open next year.
We all miss Trover’s bookstore, which reigned for more than a half century on the Avenue – not only for its reading material, but for greeting cards. Likewise Pulp, which dispensed funky cards and political buttons before departing for Provincetown, Massachusetts, several years ago. Striving to fill that gap is Art & Soul, which sells upscale clothing, handbags, jewelry and other accessories, at 225 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. The 14-year-old business is expanding its line of greeting cards in its back room, which currently showcases elegant stemware, glass bowls and gifts. “It was a tragedy that Trover’s closed,” said A&S proprietor Marjorie Tuttle. “People of my generation loved buying a book or newspaper, rather than just reading them online. But hopefully we can pick up where Trover’s and Pulp left off. We are redesigning [the space] and will soon have something for everyone, with 90 to 150 card designs.” (MotoPhoto, 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, has a good card selection.) Art & Soul’s card section will be up and running this fall. Closed Sunday. 202-548-0105.
Barracks Row Beat
Have you checked out the new façade at Homebody, the upbeat home decor shop at 715 Eighth St. SE? The facelift is partially funded by Barracks Row Main Street and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development. Call 202-544-8445. And business owners Manuel Cortez and Dennis DeWees are sensibly merging their two shops: Groovy DC Cards & Gifts (428 Eighth St. SE), with Groovyland Toys right across the street at 425. Call 202-544-7474.
A Sad Note
Winston, the standard poodle familiar to Village Gallery customers and neighbors, died Aug. 6 at age 13 ½. The beloved pet of Village co-owner Claire Southerlan, Winston succumbed to various ailments, mainly old age.
|
