Sunday, February 28, 2010

THAT Martini Lounge Rumor

Many of you may remember a rumor that I posted almost two months ago that the Martin Lounge building (1236 H Street) had been purchased by an owner from Wisdom. At the time I  could neither confirm, nor debunk the rumor. I called and emailed the owner of the Martini Lounge, but received no response.  I asked around, and nobody would admit to knowing about such a deal. Then came a post from a certain H Street figure suggesting it wasn't true (but in a weird sort of way). I figured it either wasn't true, or wasn't fodder for conversation yet (i.e., possibly not a done deal ready to go public). I mention it now because I am hearing more hard intel, and I'm getting quoted on other blogs as saying it just isn't true. I now think it is true, and that Granville's will take one of the floors. I backed off in the beginning because I'd rather come later to a story than risk souring a deal. I might get a bit of flack for that, but honestly, is it better that I break a story super early, or that we all hear about it later, and the deal actually goes through? I know what I prefer. I'm a resident first, and a blogger second. I like bars and restaurants much better than rumors of what might have been.

14 comments:

Derek said...

Inked,
Thank you. I agree with your point of view of the rumor.

Anonymous said...

granville's obviously could use the extra space. kinda strange that they would only use half the martini lounge space, why not all and what will be on the bottom floor? guess we'll know soon enough

Anonymous said...

Interesting given that the Martini Lounge recently added a new internally-illuminated sign.

Anonymous said...

Martini Louge has definitely closed for good and I doubt they would have closed without having a buyer.

Anonymous said...

Walked by the other night and a sign outside said it was the last weekend for ML. Closed now I assume?

Unknown said...

@ Inked: I don't understand your post. "certain H street individual"? seems a little cloak and dagger.

inked said...

Mike, it isn't cloak and dagger at all. I was refering to the comment left on the earlier post by Joe Englert. It was that comment, combined with everything else that made me decide to pull back and wait a bit.

MJ said...

granville's obviously could use the extra space. kinda strange that they would only use half the martini lounge space, why not all and what will be on the bottom floor?

I think there's some DC rule stating that a business can only sublet 49% of their space if the original place wants to maintain a business there as well, but I know very little about these things.

Anonymous said...

Sad to see Martini Lounge go!

Anonymous said...

Joe Englert:

I am shamed! Scooped by Inked!
I am not worthy!!!

644 l ST NE said...

Joe - don't feel bad, NONE OF US ARE WORTHY! (thanks Inked)

Dave B said...

so is granville moores gonna shit up the inside of martini lounge so it looks like their current space?

w4nk3r said...

who is your source, inked? this blog is funny...just like all the other blogs in this city. just bunches of neighborhood yentas whining and full of conjecture.

Tom A. said...

I'm with dave B. Let's make the ML space become as nasty as GM!

"Ghetto chic" baby!