Petworth Citizen to close in February, Loyalty Bookstore to change, with a new, larger concept coming to Upshur

Petworth Citizen to close in February, Loyalty Bookstore to change, with a new, larger concept coming to Upshur

Petworth Citizen will close its doors for good on February 1st. The space will go through a two-month renovation, with a new, larger concept in the works.

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A look at some of the changes coming to Upshur Street Books when it becomes Loyalty Books

A look at some of the changes coming to Upshur Street Books when it becomes Loyalty Books

A focus on kids, a remodeled interior, a little wine, and a closer partnership with the Reading Room are some of what’s in store for the changes coming to Upshur Street Books next month. The bookstore is now closed, with plans to reopen in early February.

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Petworth Bandstand returns on Sunday, April 8th with 4 bands, 4 hours, 4 free!

Petworth Bandstand returns on Sunday, April 8th with 4 bands, 4 hours, 4 free!

The Petworth Bandstand free music show returns this Sunday, April 8th from 1-5pm at Petworth Citizen (829 Upshur St NW). The show kicks off at 1pm and goes until 5ish... with four local bands performing! The past two shows have been great, and this one will be awesome.

Thanks to Petworth Citizen, 10% of food & drink proceeds go to the Friends of the Soldiers Home, so come hungry and thirsty!

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The first Petworth Bandstand is this Sunday! Come out for awesome music, food, drinks and charity!

The first Petworth Bandstand is this Sunday! Come out for awesome music, food, drinks and charity!

The first Petworth Bandstand is this Sunday, February 11th from 1-4pm at Petworth Citizen. We put out a call for local bands and got a great response. This Sunday's show features the 7th Street Rockers, Proper Pets and Dan Rosenbush! It's gonna be great!

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We're looking for Petworth bands for a Petworth Bandstand... again!

We're looking for Petworth bands for a Petworth Bandstand... again!

Petworth Citizen and Petworth News are teaming up to sponsor a series of music shows in February, March and April featuring Petworth-area bands and musicians.

We want your music!
We're looking for any kind of music from bands in and around Petworth. Do you play Rock? Hip-hop? Big band with tons of horns? Solo player? Bring it!

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Petworth Citizen refocuses with a new chef and a great bar menu

Petworth Citizen refocuses with a new chef and a great bar menu

Petworth News caught up with Petworth Citizen bar manager Jeremy Schleif and new chef Jamie Rutherford as they were prepping for a Thursday dinner shift. Jamie recently joined the restaurant in March, after having worked at the Dabney and critic’s darling Tail Up Goat.

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Give a toast to kids at the DC SCORES fundraiser at Petworth Citizen

Give a toast to kids at the DC SCORES fundraiser at Petworth Citizen

Petworth Citizen is hosting a fundraiser for the really worthy kids' non-profit on Tuesday, March 28, between 5-7pm for a happy hour benefiting DC SCORES. 10% of alcohol sales during the two hours will directly benefit their poet-athletes.

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Willow & Petworth Citizen: Upshur Street birthdays and anniversaries

Willow & Petworth Citizen: Upshur Street birthdays and anniversaries

Upshur Street has changed over the past half-decade, and most of that change is due to the efforts of places like Petworth Citizen and Willow Fashion, who both continue to serve the neighborhood with excellent food and retail options, while being good neighbors. Petworth Citizen is celebrating three years on Upshur, and Willow is celebrating four years. Hear from owners Paul Ruppert and Julie Wineinger (and celebrate with them this week and next!).

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Join a fundraiser for Petworth Dance Project

Join a fundraiser for Petworth Dance Project

On Thursday, April 7th, Petworth Dance Project will host a fundraiser at Petworth Citizen. Come out to support our own local and amazing neighborhood outdoor performance series from 6:00-8:00pm in the Reading Room! 10% of profits from food and beverages will support the upcoming season. 

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Get green with absinthe at Petworth Citizen and it's new #5thColumnThursdays

Get green with absinthe at Petworth Citizen and it's new #5thColumnThursdays

Absinthe was popular once in the United States, and then it became illegal (well, not really illegal, but regulated out of availability). But now this unusual spirit is back and ready for your enjoyment, and Chantal Tseng and Dan Searing are ready to wow you with it and many other interesting drinks every fifth Thursday evening in the Reading Room at Petworth Citizen. The first event is tomorrow, Thursday March 31st at 7pm.

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Pics of the Upshur Holiday Window displays

Pics of the Upshur Holiday Window displays

Tonight was the Holiday Windows event down on Upshur Street. I arrived late, but when I got there Willow Fashion was packed with people enjoying holiday snacks and what looked like some pretty good cheer.

Pics and more after the break:

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Upshur restaurants: It's going to be a full menu of options in 2016

Upshur restaurants: It's going to be a full menu of options in 2016


Upshur Street along the 800 block is becoming restaurant row. We already have the critically and customer acclaimed Crane & Turtle, the long-standing neighborhood favorite Domku, and the local hangout Petworth Citizen. There's Dannie's and Cuzzin's for quicker take-out, and on the non-food side, Town & Country convenience store, Bentley's Antiques, Phillips Shoe Repair, Willow Fashion, Fia's Fabulous Finds and the hair care storefronts. 

Coming in late Spring and early Summer 2016, Upshur Street will see the opening of four new restaurants.  Read more about the new restaurants, after the break:

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Come celebrate Petworth Citizen's 2nd anniversary tomorrow

Petworth Citizen turns two years old on Tuesday, September 22nd, and they're celebrating with an all-night happy hour from 5pm until closing.

Paul Ruppert opened up Petworth Citizen at 829 Upshur St NW in 2013, replacing the problematic "Island Cafe" that had been there previously and closed after numerous violations, fights, stabbings, etc. It's now a much better place to meet friends, have dinner and grab a few drinks.

They turned the back room (which once featured mirrored walls and couches) into a small library, and made it the Reading Room (now home to many social gatherings and a Comedy Hour on Sundays). Read a recent interview I did with Paul Ruppert.

I'll be at the Citizen tomorrow night after 9pm or so, stop by to enjoy a drink and say hi! 

Colin / Russ: It's time to collect those beers I owe you for finding typos! ;)

Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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The opposite of a Slim chance: an interview with Paul Ruppert

The opposite of a Slim chance: an interview with Paul Ruppert

You can’t talk about the recent resurgence along Upshur Street in Petworth without mentioning Paul Ruppert. The Ruppert family has lived and owned businesses in DC since the 1890s when his great-grandfather opened up a hardware store. An entrepreneur at heart, Paul has run several successful restaurants in DC since he opened his first one on 7th Street with his mother in 1992. Paul has made a career of opening businesses in areas of DC that are on the cusp of change, and then lending support to those communities. It’s no different with Petworth.  Read more about Slim's Diner and Paul Ruppert, after the break...

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