Big Chair Coffee Has Closed. Good News?

[UPDATE: Big Chair is NOT ACTUALLY CLOSED. Sources were mistaken. However, they are still actively looking for a buyer, and this revelation does not explain why they were closed all last week...]

It's a bittersweet moment for Anacostia, yet one that won't inspire too many misty eyes: Big Chair Coffee has closed.



Never fear, it's not because Anacostians don't like coffee, it's just that we like good coffee (and cleanliness), and Big Chair's steep decline after it's major fanfare Winter 2010 opening was too much for most of its eager patrons to handle.

Rumor has it that the owners are in talks to sell the shop to someone new -- who would, I hope, take Big Chair's failings into account and make this place the neighborhood java joint everyone was hoping for from the start.

Regardless of what happens next, let this be a lesson to others that might come next: just because Anacostia is an under-served market doesn't mean that the neighborhood has lower expectations. We like nice things, too.

[See comments for ideas on why it closed / stopped being a go-to spot.]

original photo courtesy of Washington City Paper

Uniontown Glows in the Washington Post

The front page of the Metro section in today's Washington Post is a keeper. The headline, "Every neighborhood needs a 'Cheers' and maybe this can be ours", speaks to the hope and excitement surrounding the new restaurant and bar - the first of its kind in Historic Anacostia, and one of a growing stream of businesses catering to the winds of change blowing east of the river.



One of the great things about diversifying the business offerings in the neighborhood is that residents don't have to cross the river for every amenity.

"Uniontown has brought people out that many of us didn't even know lived in this neighborhood," said Greta Fuller, an Anacostia Advisory Neighborhood Commission member. "And those people are hungry to come out and spend their money. We have jobs. We have homes. We are positive. And when you walk into Uniontown, those are the people you see."

For the neighborhood to be truly sustainable, vacant storefronts need filled, residents need places to congregate, and there have to be reasons to stay or visit. For Anacostia, Uniontown is a big step in that direction.

Sure, Uniontown is still working out kinks, and being one of the only places like it in the neighborhood, the lunchtime rush can get a little crazy. Big Chair Coffee - which now also serves alcoholic drinks - certainly has competition. But in this case, competition is a good thing, and I think Uniontown is a great pioneer for the kinds of businesses this neighborhood can expect to see more of.

Uniontown Bar & Grill is located at 2200 MLK Avenue, at the corner of W and MLK SE, about a 5 minute walk from the Anacostia Metro

Super Bowl @ Big Chair & Uniontown

Just a heads up, both Uniontown and Big Chair will be showing the Super Bowl this Sunday. Big Chair is now set up to serve alcohol, so let the business competition (this is a good thing) and the games begin!

New Signage in the Neighborhood

New signage has been appearing up and down MLK Avenue ... some good-looking, some not-so-amazing-looking.

Branding and signage is one of the most valuable things a business can invest in. On one side of the coin, people often like the underdog "we don't care about things like that" businesses. They're good because they're good, not because they have flashy signage. But when it's presented to them, people tend to appreciate creativity and a sense of legitimacy when they're looking to patronize a business. Here are a few new examples:


Uniontown's conservative lettering brings a new sense of heft to the corner of W and MLK. The kind of "sense of history" and "this is a real business" heft the neighborhood needs to build on.


the hive is open for business and has some new window decals that show off the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the shared business center.


and the entrance flag sign...


ANC 8-A's offices adjacent to Big Chair went for a much more utilitarian look. The information is there, and as quasi-boring as it is, it kinda fits with the simple art deco of the building.


While I don't think it's the end of the world (and I don't 100% mind it), there's something a little too "Clip Art" about the new Big Chair signage. At this point I'm just glad it doesn't light up.

What do you think? Could the neighborhood be doing better, or is this a good standard to keep up?

Big Chair Applies for Liquor License

It's no secret that the owners of Big Chair Coffee have been eying a future where hours are later, beer and wine (or a shot of Bailey's in your coffee) are sold, and the side patio is put to full use as a natural extension of the shop. Until now most of the energy has been put towards becoming established in the neighborhood and getting off their feet.



Well, Big Chair has been open for 5 months and the liquor license application is in the window! Prince of Petworth mentioned the license on his blog, and I commented that, like Bloomingdale's Big Bear, Big Chair is the first non-carry-out food option in the neighborhood and seems to want to be everything to everybody. Certainly negatives to that idea, but in general I tend to think the more establishments the better so long as the place is clean and isn't selling singles in brown paper bags. However, it will certainly be interesting to see how this all plays out.



I'm definitely digging the idea of a Summer Garden. With MLK's not very wide sidewalks, this alley cafe space is prime real estate.

What do you think - is the license a good idea? Do you like the idea of sipping a cab sav under a string of lights in your own neighborhood?

the MLK Avenue small business family

local kindness from Renae's Flower Shop to Big Chair Coffee. "Welcome!"

Big Chair Coffee in the News

photo courtesy of Washington City Paper

So it's been about three weeks now since Big Chair Coffee opened, and the press has been all over it. It's encouraging to see all the websites, blogs, papers, and news shows covering the shop and giving it tons of free publicity. For a neighborhood that is usually misunderstood - or at least not fully understood - in the popular media, this has been a very good thing.

Anacostia Gives Coffee Shop Warm Reception
Washington Post Metro Section

Good to Go takeout: Big Chair Coffee n' Grill in Anacostia
Washington Post Food Section

Big Chair Coffee: Only the strong survive
Washington Business Journal

If You Build a Coffee Shop, Will the Gentrifying Hipsters Come?
Urban Turf

Big Chair Coffee: Big News for Anacostia
Young & Hungry - Washington City Paper

Ethiopian family opens a new Coffee Shop in DC's Anacostia neighborhood
Nazret.com

Grand Opening at Big Chair Coffee n' Grill
DCist.com

Big Chair Coffee—Anacostia’s First Stand-Alone Coffee Shop That Anyone Can Remember—Opened Today
Housing Complex - Washington City Paper

Support Big Chair Coffee in Anacostia!
Anacostia Yogi

Big Chair Coffee!!!
Life in the Village

Freako-licious in Anacostia, Mamis!
The Penn Brangler

Big Chair Coffee & Grill Opens in DC's SE Neighborhood
Cvent

Photos: Coffee and a Chair East of the River
City Desk - Washington City Paper

Big Bear, Big Chair, and the Gentrification of a Neighborhood
in bloom

What to Do This Week
Daily Candy

The Washington Informer’s Blatant Betrayal of its Own Self-Professed Community
The Washington Syndicate

New Businesses: So Far, So Good
River East Idealist

Big Chair Coffee: Coffee From Its Cradle
Thrillist

Big Chair Coffee is Open!
We Love DC

Big Chair Opens Today!
Congress Heights on the Rise

New Coffee Shop to Open in Anacostia
Fox 5 News

Pretty much all great reviews, too! Not bad for a place only open a few weeks. If you still haven't ventured over to check it out, its hours are 7AM to 9PM, 7 days a week.

Big Chair Coffee Open for Business

temporary sign - new one coming soon

Exciting times on MLK this morning: Big Chair Coffee opened for business! Here are some photos of the opening. I missed part of the morning rush, but got there at about 8 and witnessed a pretty steady flow of customers. Here in Anacostia we're accustomed to walking or driving down the street with no expectation of anything being open, so I'm sure it will take a little time for the place to really fill up. But this is hot.


the to-go cup, ...otherwise you get a mug


fresh pastries, fresh customers


hash browns to order - and a food menu throughout the day


all the machinery came from Murky Coffee - so it's quality stuff


everyone was pretty ecstatic, with a few "I'll be back for lunch" promises


I do love the word "open"

It's going to take some getting used to, this whole idea of having a legit place to go in the neighborhood. I'm kinda beaming right now.

Click Here to read Fox 5's weekend write-up on the opening.

Big Chair Coffee opening Monday

I'm kind of scared to announce this because I can hardly believe it is finally here. But... Big Chair Coffee is opening this Monday, January 11. Preliminary hours are 7AM to 7PM (but I think they might go later if the demand is there).



It's also going to have food: sandwiches, mini burgers, etc. Come on out and support!!

country roads (of historic Anacostia)

an awesome barn on the alley between Pleasant and Chester Streets


mural on the back wall of Big Chair Coffee

Big Chair Coffee opening soon(ish)

Bloomingdale has Big Bear, but Anacostia will soon have Big Chair - Coffee, that is. The neighborhood's newest and only coffee shop at 2122 MLK Ave will open in the next 2 months, according to construction crews inside. The colorful and eclectic spot will be the new home of Murky Capitol Hill's equipment and is really starting to come together.


tick, tock ... countdown to a cooler (and caffeinated) hood starts now


upstairs will be a lounge / seating area


downstairs there will be a large bar, additional seating, and access to the side-alley seating

Big Chair Coffee is set to bring a new vibe to MLK Ave, and will (I think..?) be the first coffee shop in River East (starbucks in the safeway doesn't count). Woot woooot!

flip flops in february

yesterday was a glimpse of spring: perfect temperature, warm breeze, kids playing, ground thawing.


a roofer admiring his work: restoration doesn't stop on saturday


the could-be park next to Ketcham School. a wasted space that we need to open for public use.

Anacostia got a new mural last week. Inherently temporary, it is painted on plywood and nailed around the site of the Anacostia Gateway Government Center (future home of DDOT), it displays DC landmarks, sports team logos, and quotations:


true statement.


it's a bright welcome from the 11th Street Bridge


sure, all of the painted landmarks are either in NW or surround the mall, but they bring a touch of whimsy and cheer


the old signage is removed from the historic Anacostia Bank, reflecting AEDC's move to the gateway building


Big Chair Coffee - the teaser. their facade is also about to be majorly upgraded with a more historically-appropriate storefront.


future site (with this house to be completely restored) of the W Street Townhomes, below


the above house is the smaller one to the left


a certain character is lost when wood multi-paned windows are replaced with the simpler vinyl variety, and when little things like porch details are removed


a perfect day to paint a porch or two


the word on the street alley was that a dog was loose. high-tailing it outa there!


a quieter scene: three kids playing milk-crate basketball on a newly bricked and sanded alley.

photos by DG-rad, rendering courtesy of Four Points

big chair coffee gets its permits

it's just nice seeing the word restaurant


still kind of crossing my fingers that the culture-clash front porch can be made to look nice

and a P.S. to Main Street Anacostia and the owners of BCC - Here is some signage inspiration:









sign photos courtesy of flickr users glistensound, jaremfan, Bonzo McGrue, thoughtsinbuttermilk

Big Chair Coffee?

Speculation is rising about the possibility of a new coffee shop in the heart of Anacostia. Apparently a local businessman bought much of the equipment from the newly-closed Murky Coffee at Eastern Market, and is planning to set up a new shop across from the Big Chair in our fine neighborhood.

The proposed location, 2122 MLK Ave, is currently vacant:



For more, check out my sources at:
Washington City Paper
DC Foodies