GT Serendipity 3 Opens Its Doors to Customers You can stop asking when. On Memorial Day, Serendipity 3 officially opened its doors at the busy intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, May 30, to customers who quickly discovered they had to wait (some up to an hour or two at one point during the 95-degree Monday) to get a table in the packed restaurant, once home to the famed Nathans. After months of prepping, co-owners Britt Swan and Rodrigo Garcia welcomed Georgetowners and other Washingtonians, along with the tourists in town, who dove into the frozen hot chocolates and shakes and snapped up burgers and hot dogs. There is a $1,000 sundae (no buyer yet as of press time) as well as a $69 hot dog. For this latest Serendipity 3, the extensive menu includes crab cakes, a D.C. exclusive. Founded in 1954 by Stephen Bruce in New York City, Serendipity 3 has become a sweet tooth favorite, eclectic in its decor, and a favorite meeting spot. It has touted its celebrity connections, whether Andy Warhol, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bill Clinton or Sarah Palin, and provides the title and scenes for a romantic comedy film many guys cannot stand. Like the other New York and Las Vegas locations, the restaurant sells Serendipity 3 merchandise. A few family members of the co-owners are involved in the eatery: hostess Katrina Rubin, whose mother Janine Schoonover, married to Swan, has been working on the debut for months, and Garcia’s brother Alexander Miguens, an investor. On Monday, Twitter, Facebook and other websites held comments and photos on the opening.
OBSERVER
NBC4’s TV reporter Pat Collins stopped by and interviewed customers, and NBC4 news anchor Eun Yang brought her family. “More than 500 covers went out opening day,” Garcia told us at the end of the first day. “Fro ho [Frrrozen Hot Chocolate] was the most popular order.” Meanwhile, it looks like this restaurant can live up to its definition: “ser•en•dip•i•ty (n) the art of making happy discoveries, or finding the unexpectedly pleasant by chance or sagacity.” Serendipity 3 will be open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Later, it will also have a carryout counter.
Citizens Honor Community Achievers at Annual Meeting
The Citizens Association of Georgetown met May 17 at Dumbarton House on Q Street to elect its officers, hand out its community awards and hear from Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, who discussed the Mayor’s proposed budget and his own opposition to tax increases. Nevertheless, citing the rebuilt public library and continuing work on the streets and utility connections, Evans told the citizens that Georgetown is doing great with all of the improvements and investments coming to fruition in the neighborhood, home to many active residents worthy of awards. CAG honored a few of them specifically at the annual meeting. Brenda Moorman received the Bill Cochran Award for her work in conservation and neighborhood beautification. Toni Cherry of the D.C. State Historic Preservation Office received the Charles Atherton Award for her work in creating a preservation compliance programs among other city efforts.
The Hays family—John, Sharon and daughter Samantha—was awarded the Martin-Davidson Award for its longest surviving retail store, The Phoenix on Wisconsin Avenue, which opened in 1955. A Special Award was given to Officer Mark Lee of the Metropolitan Police Department for his years of service in the town. The historic George Town Club, with general manager Brian Armstrong accepting, grabbed the Ratatouille Award for rat abatement. The Peter Belin Award will be presented during a September meeting to Richard Hinds, CAG’s legal advisor.
Hardy Middle School Chooses New Principal After Revolving Door of Administrators
This Friday, Hardy Middle School announced in a letter that a new principal has been selected. Dr. Mary Stefanus comes from St. Louis, Missouri, where she was principal at Hixson Middle School in Missouri for 11 years. She has more than 30 years of experience in education and a track record for success. Dr. Stefanus will be the fourth person to serve as Principal at Hardy in just over a year. At the end of the 2010 school year, Principal Patrick Pope was removed by then Chancellor Michelle Rhee and replaced by Dana Nerenberg. Nerenberg was removed at the end of this January after reports of increased fighting among students and disrespect to administrators by Acting Chancellor of DC Public Schools Kaya Henderson, and replaced by interim principal Daniel Shea.
Vornado Realty Trust flexes its muscles at Georgetown Park After six months of renovation and only five
months of business, the National Pinball Museum in the Shops at Georgetown Park will be closing this July. According to a letter from Executive Director and Curator David Silverman, mall owners Vornado Realty Trust informed him on May 18 that he has 60 days before he and his pinball machines must vacate the premises. Silverman says he spent $300,000 renovating the space, which included a custom dinosaur mural and nine-foot flippers in the 14,000 square foot space. The museum contains hundreds of pinball machines and displays chronicling the history of the game. Before moving his collection to Georgetown Park, Silverman’s pinball machines were kept at his home in Silver Spring. Silverman has amassed a collection of over 800 machines over the past 15 years. For now, the museum is located on the third floor of the Shops at Georgetown Park, formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz. Silverman is determined to find a space to move his collection, and is looking as far away as New Mexico. The museum is also accepting donations. To encourage visitors, the museum has lowered its admission rate from $13.50 to $3, and has implemented new summer hours. The museum will remain open through July 4.
Second District Crime Sees Sharp Increase from Last Year According to Second District Commander Michael Reese, burglaries and automobile related theft rates rose in the Second District during May. Four burglars have been arrested, though, and Reese expects to see a decrease in the number of burglaries, according to Georgetown Patch.
Evers & Co. Real Estate RemaRkably ChiC
Dupont. Spectacular renovated townhouse with 4 levels and roof deck, high ceilings, open living room/ dining room/ chef’s kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, spacious in-law suite; 2 parking spaces. $1,599,000
Ellen Abrams- 202-255-8219; Courtney Abrams- 202-253-0109
SpRing Fling
Woodley. Open floor plan in this 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath charmer. Family room and fabulous master suite. Freshly painted. $1,549,000
Lynn Bulmer- 202-257-2410
ViCtoRian tReaSuRe
Georgetown. Lovingly restored to like-new condition. 4 BRs, 2.5 BAs, includes well appointed lower level in-law suite. 2 frpls. Delightful garden for family, friends & pets. $1,049,000
Ted Beverly 301-728-4338; Pat Lore 301-908-1242 Dupont 202-464-8400
Make a splash at Beauvoir this summer! Extensive Summer Program for Children ages 3–11 ContempoRaRy SpaCeS
Swimming! Sports! Cooking! Museum Visits! Art! More!
Pat Kennedy- 202-549-5167; Ed Schneider- 202-277-9499
Camp Open House at Beauvoir on May 21 from 9–11 a.m.
Crestwood. Exciting 4 BR, 2.5 BA in sylvan setting. Cutting edge chef’s kitchen opens to Great Room. Vaulted ceilings, window walls, balcony & 2 decks. Fabulous renovation. $915,000
Chevy Chase 202-364-1700 www.EversCo.com
For more information visit www.beauvoirschool.org 3500 Woodley Road, NW • Washington, DC 20016
6 June 1, 2011 GMG, Inc.