The X2

T he Maine Avenue Fish Market has been operating in some form since 1805. That makes it the longest continually operating open air fish market in the United States. For 200 years, this waterfront market in DC's Southwest quadrant has been a main feature of Washington Channel, just off of the Potomac River. The fish market was one of the defining river features for 19th century Washington along with Washington Navy Yard on the Anacostia, and the port at Georgetown on the Potomac. The municipal market has seen plenty of changes over the years, but the latest change is the most significant. The area adjacent to the market is being transformed into Washington, DC's newest entertainment district, called "The District Wharf." The Wharf is a mixed-use development with commercial, residential, and industrial uses, with some open/public space. It consists largely of new construction, but incorporates existing structures including the Maine Avenue market itself. New...

A Paris-based boulangerie is planned for the old Blackboard building in Penn Quarter.  Maison Kayser looks to open a shop inside of 640 Massachusetts Ave NW, specifically on the high traffic corner spot fronting both 7th Street and Mass Ave. Maison Kayser opened in Paris in the late 90s and has 100+ locations worldwide including 12 in New York City, the only U.S. outposts. They have proper breakfast  (PDF), brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. And of course they offer plenty of breads, pastries, and baked goods. Not much in the vegan friendly category, at first glance. 640 Massachusetts Ave undergone a major overhaul over the past few years. The new main tenant is now Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies. The circa 1990 building had a major renovation in 2013 and is quite large at 419,000 square feet, including 25,000 sq feet or retail. Maison Kayser should add even more activity to this corner, which is in the line of sight of the Convention Center and adjacent ...