Spring Break
D.C.'s gentrification taking air out of old businesses
Courtney Edwards/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 1/11/09 Section: Cover
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Only a year ago, South Capitol Street was a dust-filled road amid the National's stadium construction and the lowering of the Fredrick Douglass Bridge. Businesses in the area suffered due to the decreased traffic into the area, and some of them closed as a result. Business owners struggled to stay afloat in hopes of being able to prosper once all of the construction was complete.
The bridge lowering was completed in August of 2007, and the stadium was ready in time for opening day in March of the following year. Eight months have past since opening day, though, and even more businesses have been lost.
The once bustling South West Exxon gas station on the corner of South Capitol and L Street, SW was one of the businesses to close shortly after the closing of the Fredrick Douglass Bridge.
Most recently the BP Amoco gas station on the corner of South Capitol and N Streets SE, and the Domino's Pizza on the corner of South Capitol and M Street Southeast have become causalities amid the South Capitol Corridor revitalization.
Both locations will be incorporated into Monument Realty's Half Street complex, which is bordered by South Capitol Street on the west, First Street on the east, M Street on the north, and N Street on the south. Billboards advertising the complex are showcased around both locations.
"I don't mind all of the changes that are going on in the city, so long as the city takes care of the people being displaced," said Henery Brown, a 30-year carpenter and long-time District resident. "Just don't throw them away."
There have been a few businesses that have managed to survive.
Mariame Hair Braiding, Grand China Carry Out, Cap Liquor, and the 7-Eleven on the corner of South Capitol and M Streets, SW are all still in business and benefiting from the new stadium a little more than a block away.
According to employees, though, the 7-Eleven, at 1101 South Capitol Street, SW, will close its doors in a year after having been bought out by developers.
Andy Lee, owner of Market Deli at 1020 First Street, SE, lamented the difficulties that his business has been facing due to all of the development occurring in the area.
"We have just lost so many of our loyal customers due to the development," Lee said. "That loss has really put a squeeze on our business."
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