Here's the Post article on the outcome of the Cluck-U appeal. Note that the article was written by Paul Schwartzman, the same writer who brought us the recent Winds of Change article on H Street that focused heavily on the Cluck-U challenge. The Post frequently has different titles for various versions (slightly updated versions may change names). The other name for this one? Restaurant Prevails Over ANC in Battle on H Street NE.
10 comments:
Yeah, I think that's the headline on the paper version I read this morning. Wonder why they would have changed it? .....
What's happening with 'Taste of Jamaica'? They haven't even bothered putting in seating yet, and are clearly operating strictly as a carry-out. I like the food, but how could this possibly be considered a restaurant, even by the poorly definined zoning regs?
Does Tase of Jamaica have a restaurant license. I heard somewhere (might not be accurate), but that Taste of Jamaica is currently opperating under a matter of right (because there was previously an African fried fish carry-out there) carry-out C of O. This person told me the eventual plan is for Taste of Jamaica to transition to a restaurant. If this is the case, I don't understand why they felt the need for the bulletproof glass barrier.
I heard (might not be true) from someone that Taste of Jamaica is currently operating under a matter of right (due to the African fried fish place that previously was there) Carry-out C of O. The same person told me that Taste of Jamaica plans to transition to a restaurant. If this is the case, I really don't understand the installation of the bulletproof glass barrier.
BZA Appeal 17434 was put off for 6 months prior to the March hearing by agreement of the parties. In effect, ToJ has until September to show some progress.
See the BZA's March docket entry.
Dear H Street Community, Friends and Frozen Tropics members,
I would like to thank you with heartfelt gratitude for your support of our restaurant. I specifically would like to thank Marc Borbely, Raphael Marshall, Gladys Mack, Mr. Ifon, Anwar Saleem and many others who courageously tried to help our businesses survive. On behalf of my patrons, family, and employees, I humbly thank you for your leadership and words of support. We can all agree that some of the zoning definitions which were written many decades ago need to be updated. As we stated months ago, the proper method to change the definition of what a restaurant is was not to misrepresent my business and business ethics in an appeal, but to go through the open legislative process. To be sure, I and the other restaurants that have been appealed have suffered a great emotional and economic toll. But the impact of which has only made me stronger.
I do honestly think that in the zeal for redevelopment of H Street, some preferred to attempt to change the code through the appeal process, despite the human cost, despite the facts, and despite the law, in a quicker, less public manner than going through an open, inclusive process of legislation. Some have attempted to justify their actions by intimating or commenting that I made misrepresentations to get through the process. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, during our hearing an overwhelming amount of evidence and testimony was submitted to reinforce that not only did we comply with the code before we opened, we continue to comply with the code during operation. This was reinforced by the testimony of several DCRA witnesses who reviewed this matter in detail because of the attention to H Street. All of this resulted in a vote of 4 to 0 in support of our restaurant occupancy permit. Could our restaurant improve? Certainly. What business could not stand room for improvement? As a new business, there are always ways in which we can improve. Any help to improve and support small businesses on H Street is greatly needed and appreciated. Additionally, some, like Duncan Spencer in his article, was callously reckless when he wrote that Gibson "says he's become a victim because he's black." I never stated that. In fact, I have always been careful not to state that. I do not want to offend the diverse patronage of this restaurant. Many of our customers are not black. Many of whom lent their support and well wishes to us during this appeal. Also, some during this issue have characterized H Street as an "economic wasteland" in their calls for redevelopment and opposition to my restaurant. H Street has many endeared family-owned businesses that have respectfully served our community with love, and have loyally and consistently contributed to our community jobs and goodwill and to the tax coffers of this city - for decades and generations. To be sure, we love H Street. It had, and does have, a great sense of identity. H Street IS our main street. It might not be perfect, but it is what we have. And we are dedicated to continue to work for it's success for everyone.
I am extremely proud to be able to keep my restaurant on H Street. I thank you for your words of support and kind patronage. It truly gives me great pleasure to serve EVERYONE. I hope that any negative sentiments that have surfaced by some will be a part of the past. There are many whites, blacks, Asians, Latinos, you name it, that work with, live next to, fellowship with, drink with, eat with (including wings ;-) TOGETHER. Good buffalo wings are good buffalo wings. Add good company to that, and we've got nothing but good.
With that said, we invite you to check out a new menu item at Cluck U Chicken restaurant - Dove Wings for Peace - tastes like chicken, 'cause it is chicken - i.e., not really the wings of doves. Dove Wings are delicately drizzed with a delightful blend of our signature Atomic sauce, aptly contradicted by the delicate sweet meat of our freshly-made-to-order poultry and a hint of gentle honey. A poignant methaphor of the ironies and complexities of life, its conflicts and joys, Dove Wings cultimate in pure peace and goodness on the tastebuds. Disclaimer: All proper manners may be relegated to the irresistable desire to lick one's fingers rather than use our non-disposable stainless steel untensils and tableware. However, to mitigate any relapses in table decorum, we will be happy to provide lemon-infused filtered water finger bowls with warmed linen-napkins to obscure your indulgences. 'Cause we still love ya no matter how much you wanna lick those fingers!
Be the first to try Cluck U Chicken Dove Wings, with a FREE sample when you greet our servers with the word "PEACE." We're sure you will love THE BEST wings in the world, our delicious fresh salads, pitas, ribs and wraps, all to be washed down with our homemade sweet tea.
Head Rooster in Charge,
Bernard Gibson and the Cluck U Chicken Family
Great letter Bernard! I've been meaning to check your place out for awhile now. I think I'll do it today. Best of luck.
Unrelated note, here's an H Street article in the drinking rag "Ontap": http://www.ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10317
When I was in Taste of Jamaica I suggested they get tables and chairs, and they said they were working on it. However, that was about 3 months ago.
Aren't the best buffalo wings in Buffalo, N.Y.??
AJ
thats the most appetizing description of wings i have ever heard!
damn, that was a good post.
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