🌸 A local staple closes after 18 years in business

Good morning, DC.

In today’s District Download:

Let’s get to it.

The District's housing market is experiencing whiplash from the rapid-fire news cycle this year—properties now sit for a median of 21 days compared to 11 days last year, even as median prices climb to $629,660 thanks to more single-family homes selling and luxury buyers staying active. Federal workers clutching their 3-percent mortgages aren't budging despite layoffs and buyouts, with agents reporting not a single client in this position has sold yet, creating what Bright MLS calls a "tale of three markets" where DC condos languish while close-in Virginia suburbs show surprising resilience. Staging has become essential rather than optional, with companies jam-packed since February handling even prime properties, while sellers are learning that pandemic-era pricing expectations need serious recalibration in a market where one listing gets bidding wars and another sits for three weeks. Buyers finally have leverage again with inspection contingencies making a comeback, though don't expect to lowball on well-priced properties in walkable neighborhoods—anything within eight blocks of Metro still draws competition. Montgomery County families eyeing the new Crown and reopened Woodward high schools have hit pause on purchases until boundary decisions drop, while first-time buyers should know FHA loans actually work now that the market's cooled enough to handle their stricter appraisal requirements.

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DC's restaurant community is stepping up as the government shutdown puts 141,000 local SNAP recipients at risk, with World Central Kitchen now serving weekday lunches at pop-up locations alongside restaurants like Lebanese Taverna and 2Fifty Texas BBQ. Pastry star Paola Velez launched "The New Sugar Act," offering free baked goods to those impacted because, as she puts it, "sometimes people who're on benefits just need a sweet treat—because they're people," drawing on her own experience relying on SNAP as a struggling young chef. The Capital Area Food Bank warns they can replace only one meal for every nine that SNAP provides, with President Radha Muthiah telling Axios there's simply "no way to fully fill that gap" as the organization has already served 5 million more meals than average this year. Grassroots groups like Food Not Bombs and the DC Mutual Aid Network have activated distribution programs in every ward, while the city weighs tapping reserves to cover the estimated $29 million cost of November benefits—though the Agriculture Department made clear they won't offer reimbursement. The timing couldn't be worse, with food banks typically seeing extra holiday demand and nonprofits now seeking cash donations for fresh produce and protein rather than pantry staples as distribution lines grow longer.

The farmer-owned restaurant group spent over a year perfecting an in-house barbecue program that co-owner Michael Vucurevich and Chef Joe Goetze developed through decades of exploration into the craft, now offering house-smoked St. Louis Sweet Heat Ribs and tender brisket with Chef Joe's signature sauce. The menu includes Blue Ribbon Cowboy Baked Beans and Mustard Potato Salad, with Chef Joe "practicing relentlessly, refining rubs, perfecting sauces, and mastering the delicate dance of time and temperature that transforms good meat into transcendent BBQ." The BBQ selections are available as part of their Thanksgiving Heat & Eat menu and represent a significant culinary expansion for the DMV's ubiquitous scratch-cooking operation.

Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro at 4301 Wilson Boulevard shuts down this weekend after nearly two decades serving dozens of wine options to Ballston regulars, with owner Troy Thorpe offering deep discounts through Sunday to clear inventory. The restaurant, which opened in 2007, couldn't negotiate a new lease after struggling with slower traffic since COVID, joining the recent closure of Pirouette Cafe & Wine Shop in October as Ballston's wine-centric dining scene takes a hit. Stream Realty managing director Erik McLaughlin says negotiations with a new tenant are ongoing, but he couldn't share details on who's moving in next.

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Here’s what’s going on around DC this week:

Signature Theatre | Fiddler on the Roof | Tevye's family navigates tradition and antisemitism | 7:30 PM

Rhizome | Gusher / Slot / Saafewaay | Regional punk and pop groups | 8 PM

Howard University | HBCU First LOOK Film Festival | Industry panels and student filmmaker showcases | 12 PM

Casamara Rooftop | Après Ski Pop-Up | Warm beverages and wintry rooftop decor | 4 PM

Get your name in front of thousands of DMV area locals 3x/week.

Wednesday

70 🌡 42 | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 6 mph

Thursday

59 🌡 40 | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 11 mph

The Atlantis | Kerala Dust with Amiture | 6:30 PM

9:30 Club | Minus The Bear | 7 PM

Birchmere Music Hall | Boney James | 7:30 PM

The Barns at Wolf Trap | Jim Brickman | 8 PM

The Atlantis | Chezile | 6:30 PM

9:30 Club | Howl Owl Howl | 7 PM

The Theater at MGM National Harbor | Dwight Yoakam | 7 PM

Birchmere Music Hall | Micky Dolenz | 7:30 PM

The Barns at Wolf Trap | Jim Brickman | 8 PM

The Capitals (6-5-1) and Wizards (1-5) are both spiraling through losing streaks that have the city's sports fans reaching for the remote. The Caps have dropped four straight, including Friday's 3-1 loss to the Islanders, managing just two goals over their last three games while sliding to seventh in the Metro. Meanwhile, the Wizards can't buy a win despite flashes from their young core, getting blown out 125-94 by the Magic on Saturday in their fifth consecutive defeat—proving that while Alex Sarr and the rookies show promise, this rebuild's going to take longer than hoped.

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Kyle from Capitol Hill

Till next time,