A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Sidamo Robbed Last Night
Apparently thieves smashed the window at Sidamo & then let themselves in (or maybe it was one person, it isn't clear). The cash register and other items were taken.
This is horrible news! Mr. Bellay and the rest of the staff are great, and they've been such a positive presence at the west end of H Street.
I'm going to make it a point to stop by today (assuming they're open) and show my support for them, and I would encourage anyone who reads this to do the same.
I just spoke with Mimi, and fortunately, she and Kenfe are of the view that break-ins can happen to anyone. They sounded glad that nothing else was damaged or taken. I have to admit that I'm not sure that I would have as upbeat an attitude so soon.
Unfortunately, the break-in was successful, even though they had protective film on the window and an alarm.
Please do get out and support them, as they are a great presence on H Street NE. Also, it was the large window that was broken.
We've been thinking for some time of an appropriate time to show them our support and gratitude and now seems like a time to get over there and show support. I did look on the web a while back and some time in Sep. is the Coptic Ethiopian New Year I believe. Does anyone out there know anything about this holiday, how it would be celebrated, whether it would be (another) appropriate time to make a friendly gesture to our friends at Sidamo?
This is a great idea. I checked, and New Years day on the Coptic (or Julian) calendar is September 11, 2007. The Julian calendar is the official calendar of Ethiopia, so this gesture would likely be appreciated by Mimi and Kenfe.
Also, the idea is particularly timely because this is the start of the last year (2000) of the millenium according to the Julian calendar (years vary from the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world).
Can someone volunteer to put together a gathering at Sidamo for the event? I don't have the time, but I would definitely be willing to blog & email information about it to my contacts.
I'd be very happy to help out with this, though I think we should first check with Mr. Bellay to see if they do, in fact, celebrate Enkutatash. A brief description of the traditional celebration in Ethiopia can be found here:
http://www.selamta.net/Festivals.htm
Another site lists some (very few) Enkutatash customs: http://www.rastaites.com/Ethiopia/newyear.htm
Excellent point. I guess I meant that they would likely appreciate the thought, whether or not they followed the Julian calendar, but far better to check with them first.
i can say that bellay is not follower. bellay is a LEADER of great h street reviiival! he make much respect in our life, and i theenk he sell a coffee too!
I am at Sidamo now. I asked Mimi if they will be celebrating the New Year in September and she said they would. Good to see a steady stream of customers here today.
What are the developers and businesses on H doing to make H safer? True, it should be MPDs responsibility, but we all know that MPD isn't really capable or willing to do much proactive policing in this or any other area.
There's literally tens of millions of dollars going into H Street.
A relatively small investment from the big dollar investors would reap huge benefits if they saw public safety as just as important as swank new granite countertops.
A few thoughts...
Videotape all of H Street, in real time. Make it painfully obvious. And shame MPD into cooperating. Lobby the city for a parking garage with real top notch security. Hire off duty cops to patrol H Street, so heavily that word gets out to the thug element that H Street is a much harder target than other areas.
It'd be a magnificent marketing campaign that would pay off in spades for those with a vested interest in H. And it'd be a small portion of their overall costs. Didn't the one half block at 6th and H (sorry if I have the block wrong) sell for $45 million, for the huge new condo development there? 2% of that purchase price would buy an awful lot of security for the entire H Street strip.
Imagine the marketing value of people knowing that H St has real security measures in place that other areas don't have? Not only are residents and visitors actually safer, the sheer desireability of H St would skyrocket, paying for the security investment costs a hundred times over.
On the flip side, all it will take to seriously retard the H Street renaissance would be a couple of really high profile crimes. True, there's no guarantee that privately financed security would prevent that, but it'd make it FAR less likely.
Oh how terrible. Thankfully I read this and can be prepared for the sight of Sidamo with a broken window. We will stop by Sidamo to support our friends this weekend. How terrible.
It's lovely that you all are thinking of a small tribute to Kenfe and Mimi for the Ethiopian New Year. I would love to attend and would also like to help organize in any way I can. Will someone please get in touch with me about this?
I find it interesting that so many responders here are so concerned and supportive of Sidamo say that they'll support them this weekend as if coffee businesses can survive on weekend business alone. If you really want businesses on H St to survive, you really need to support them as often as possible.
This is awful news! I had lunch there on Wednesday and was thrilled to find it so crowded that I had to get my lunch to go.
Anwar Saleem (H Street Main Street) is working with businesses to install "tornado proof" windows that would provide the same protection as iron bars over glass windows (but much more attractive) and prevent break-ins like this.
That really sucks. I love this place. Can't say I can get in on the ubiquitous security camera action on H Street, but more patrols and better lighting sound like good ideas.
Anonymous 1:49 makes a good point about the need to support all these businesses we praise so often here on Frozen Tropics. As I said I would in my first post, I did stop by Sidamo yesterday and I will be doing so with more frequency over the next few weeks.
But Anonymous doesn't take into account the fact that some people only live in this area and don't work nearby where they can stop in for a coffee every day. The fact that Sidamo is only open from 7-7 on weekdays makes it impossible for some people to stop by anytime other than weekends, as they have to contend with traffic and long commutes to and from work during the week.
If everyone does what they can to show support when they can, Sidamo's going to continue to do just fine.
Honestly, I'm more worried about the other new businesses - the ones that can't rely on casual semi-regular business, such as the Bikram Yoga studio, the Total-U Fitness studio, and the British Ink tattoo parlor. As much as we might like them all to stick around and prosper, we're not all going to buy memberships or pay for yoga classes and I doubt most of us have made it a point to stop by for a tattoo yet. These are the businesses that will have a harder time making it until the H Street Corridor is really seen as a place where folks from other neighborhoods want to visit for more than just a few beers on a Saturday night.
I think maybe you underestimate the group of posters. I can't speak for anyone else but, inasmuch as you might have reponsded to my "we'll be there this weekend" post, well as it happens I'm out of town until then! Good gracious, it's true that in order to thrive, H street depends on people making it the priority destination for a variety of businesses, but I think your censure of this group might be taken for friendly fire! As for me, I'm in Sidamo on a near-daily basis. I don't want to discourage you from the same...but maybe you should switch to decaf!? ;)
Terrible, terrible news, but it's hardly surprising that Mimi and Kenfe are taking this in stride; folks like them who have the drive and vision to move to a different country and start a business are not likely to be deterred by a smash and grab break-in by some reprobate crackhead. Fortunately they have the advantage of concerned bloggers, neighbors, ANC Commissioners, and customers who will support them and work towards putting some structural solutions in place to prevent this from happening again.
It's a shame that idiot losers try to bring a neighborhood down with their senselessness. Glad the owners are still staying strong after this.
I've been to Sidamo twice and liked it. I'll have to try to make another trip there in the future...I don't live in the area and finding time to go there isn't easy.
We were there today talking to them and one topic of conversation was cameras on the premises. But being a small-business owner he can't afford a 1000+ $ solution so if anyone has a recommendation for a (probably) multi-camera, DVR system that's a couple hundred bucks let Kenfe and Mimi know about it.
As much as it is unattractive, we aren't past the point that all businesses need to have bars on the windows. I wish we were past this, but if it looks easy to break into your business...our local thieves will break in.
Worst part is, it's probably somebody that broke into one of the other buisinesses/houses, got caught, spent some time, got out, and now is breaking into more places.. :(
27 comments:
This is horrible news! Mr. Bellay and the rest of the staff are great, and they've been such a positive presence at the west end of H Street.
I'm going to make it a point to stop by today (assuming they're open) and show my support for them, and I would encourage anyone who reads this to do the same.
hopefully they had some kind of camera inside. if not, perhaps they should think about getting one.
thieves are thieves because they can't 'do any better'. you'd think it'd be easy to catch the loser criminals that stole an EMPTY cash register.
i hate to say it, but after the break in at the argonaut, i was thinking that it's just a matter of time before sidamo got broken into.
what a shame.
i'll drop by this week to show my support too,
man, every time some jive turkey pulls a stunt like this it brings the whole neighborhood down! much love to the sidamo peeps. hang in there.
This is terrible (and infuriating) news.
I just spoke with Mimi, and fortunately, she and Kenfe are of the view that break-ins can happen to anyone. They sounded glad that nothing else was damaged or taken. I have to admit that I'm not sure that I would have as upbeat an attitude so soon.
Unfortunately, the break-in was successful, even though they had protective film on the window and an alarm.
Please do get out and support them, as they are a great presence on H Street NE. Also, it was the large window that was broken.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commissioner, 6C05
I will go to Sidamo this weekend.
We've been thinking for some time of an appropriate time to show them our support and gratitude and now seems like a time to get over there and show support.
I did look on the web a while back and some time in Sep. is the Coptic Ethiopian New Year I believe. Does anyone out there know anything about this holiday, how it would be celebrated, whether it would be (another) appropriate time to make a friendly gesture to our friends at Sidamo?
Rob,
This is a great idea. I checked, and New Years day on the Coptic (or Julian) calendar is September 11, 2007. The Julian calendar is the official calendar of Ethiopia, so this gesture would likely be appreciated by Mimi and Kenfe.
Also, the idea is particularly timely because this is the start of the last year (2000) of the millenium according to the Julian calendar (years vary from the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world).
Can someone volunteer to put together a gathering at Sidamo for the event? I don't have the time, but I would definitely be willing to blog & email information about it to my contacts.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commmissioner, 6C05
Meant to say I don't have the time to be the coordinator--I will definitely MAKE time to be there.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commissioner, 6C05
I'd be very happy to help out with this, though I think we should first check with Mr. Bellay to see if they do, in fact, celebrate Enkutatash. A brief description of the traditional celebration in Ethiopia can be found here:
http://www.selamta.net/Festivals.htm
Another site lists some (very few) Enkutatash customs: http://www.rastaites.com/Ethiopia/newyear.htm
Mike,
Excellent point. I guess I meant that they would likely appreciate the thought, whether or not they followed the Julian calendar, but far better to check with them first.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commissioner, 6C05
i can say that bellay is not follower. bellay is a LEADER of great h street reviiival! he make much respect in our life, and i theenk he sell a coffee too!
I got mycoffee just after 7AM this morning and everyone was still in shock over the breakin :(
I'll definitely join in on any get-together for support...
-Conrad
Just called, they are staying open till 6pm.
I am at Sidamo now. I asked Mimi if they will be celebrating the New Year in September and she said they would. Good to see a steady stream of customers here today.
What are the developers and businesses on H doing to make H safer? True, it should be MPDs responsibility, but we all know that MPD isn't really capable or willing to do much proactive policing in this or any other area.
There's literally tens of millions of dollars going into H Street.
A relatively small investment from the big dollar investors would reap huge benefits if they saw public safety as just as important as swank new granite countertops.
A few thoughts...
Videotape all of H Street, in real time. Make it painfully obvious. And shame MPD into cooperating. Lobby the city for a parking garage with real top notch security. Hire off duty cops to patrol H Street, so heavily that word gets out to the thug element that H Street is a much harder target than other areas.
It'd be a magnificent marketing campaign that would pay off in spades for those with a vested interest in H. And it'd be a small portion of their overall costs. Didn't the one half block at 6th and H (sorry if I have the block wrong) sell for $45 million, for the huge new condo development there? 2% of that purchase price would buy an awful lot of security for the entire H Street strip.
Imagine the marketing value of people knowing that H St has real security measures in place that other areas don't have? Not only are residents and visitors actually safer, the sheer desireability of H St would skyrocket, paying for the security investment costs a hundred times over.
On the flip side, all it will take to seriously retard the H Street renaissance would be a couple of really high profile crimes. True, there's no guarantee that privately financed security would prevent that, but it'd make it FAR less likely.
Oh how terrible. Thankfully I read this and can be prepared for the sight of Sidamo with a broken window. We will stop by Sidamo to support our friends this weekend. How terrible.
It's lovely that you all are thinking of a small tribute to Kenfe and Mimi for the Ethiopian New Year. I would love to attend and would also like to help organize in any way I can. Will someone please get in touch with me about this?
Thanks,
fayebird@gmail.com
I find it interesting that so many responders here are so concerned and supportive of Sidamo say that they'll support them this weekend as if coffee businesses can survive on weekend business alone. If you really want businesses on H St to survive, you really need to support them as often as possible.
This is awful news! I had lunch there on Wednesday and was thrilled to find it so crowded that I had to get my lunch to go.
Anwar Saleem (H Street Main Street) is working with businesses to install "tornado proof" windows that would provide the same protection as iron bars over glass windows (but much more attractive) and prevent break-ins like this.
That really sucks. I love this place. Can't say I can get in on the ubiquitous security camera action on H Street, but more patrols and better lighting sound like good ideas.
Anonymous 1:49 makes a good point about the need to support all these businesses we praise so often here on Frozen Tropics. As I said I would in my first post, I did stop by Sidamo yesterday and I will be doing so with more frequency over the next few weeks.
But Anonymous doesn't take into account the fact that some people only live in this area and don't work nearby where they can stop in for a coffee every day. The fact that Sidamo is only open from 7-7 on weekdays makes it impossible for some people to stop by anytime other than weekends, as they have to contend with traffic and long commutes to and from work during the week.
If everyone does what they can to show support when they can, Sidamo's going to continue to do just fine.
Honestly, I'm more worried about the other new businesses - the ones that can't rely on casual semi-regular business, such as the Bikram Yoga studio, the Total-U Fitness studio, and the British Ink tattoo parlor. As much as we might like them all to stick around and prosper, we're not all going to buy memberships or pay for yoga classes and I doubt most of us have made it a point to stop by for a tattoo yet. These are the businesses that will have a harder time making it until the H Street Corridor is really seen as a place where folks from other neighborhoods want to visit for more than just a few beers on a Saturday night.
anonymous 1:49,
I think maybe you underestimate the group of posters. I can't speak for anyone else but, inasmuch as you might have reponsded to my "we'll be there this weekend" post, well as it happens I'm out of town until then! Good gracious, it's true that in order to thrive, H street depends on people making it the priority destination for a variety of businesses, but I think your censure of this group might be taken for friendly fire! As for me, I'm in Sidamo on a near-daily basis. I don't want to discourage you from the same...but maybe you should switch to decaf!? ;)
red storm................
settle down.
you aries are so fiery!
methinks YOU should work with decaf.
you know you need it...
:o)
Terrible, terrible news, but it's hardly surprising that Mimi and Kenfe are taking this in stride; folks like them who have the drive and vision to move to a different country and start a business are not likely to be deterred by a smash and grab break-in by some reprobate crackhead. Fortunately they have the advantage of concerned bloggers, neighbors, ANC Commissioners, and customers who will support them and work towards putting some structural solutions in place to prevent this from happening again.
It's a shame that idiot losers try to bring a neighborhood down with their senselessness. Glad the owners are still staying strong after this.
I've been to Sidamo twice and liked it. I'll have to try to make another trip there in the future...I don't live in the area and finding time to go there isn't easy.
We were there today talking to them and one topic of conversation was cameras on the premises. But being a small-business owner he can't afford a 1000+ $ solution so if anyone has a recommendation for a (probably) multi-camera, DVR system that's a couple hundred bucks let Kenfe and Mimi know about it.
As much as it is unattractive, we aren't past the point that all businesses need to have bars on the windows. I wish we were past this, but if it looks easy to break into your business...our local thieves will break in.
Worst part is, it's probably somebody that broke into one of the other buisinesses/houses, got caught, spent some time, got out, and now is breaking into more places.. :(
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