"What does Trinidad have to do with H Street?" Besides us coming two blocks over and eating in your places? Joe, I know you're playing to a wider audience when talking to the press, but that statement still annoys me, to put it mildly. I've got a whole rant teed up here, but given that it may have been the interviewer or editor who pulled that quote out of a long interview, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they left out the quotes where you were expressing solidarity and compassion for "us people" over here.
"What does Trinidad have to do with H Street?" is a very offensive comment. I was actually surprised that none of the H street places didn't have a benefit or at least pass the hat for the 12 year kid that was killed.
None of the H street businesses donated to the Eastern High school band trip (see this week's City Paper). Match Box on 8th st SE donated $1,100 and ask for other businesses to match it. None did. I'm not seeing any of these places giving back to the community at all. If they are, I'd like to hear about it. I'm not just talking about Joes's places. What has PNC or Bank of America done?
Poop, Just maybe we should fix the problem the way that they do it in Brasil with vigilante cops? Works real well down there doesn't it? Maybe that why you are here? Very few people in this community are "a bunch of lying, thieving, killing, miscreants."
I appreciate the residents of Trinidad. And my heart goes out to anybody that has to put up with living in a violent neighborhood. I lived at 14th and W in the 90's and know all about living in a war zone.
BUT
The press repeatedly called me to yell the sky was falling on H street and I gave them some flippant quotes in response.
Should I have told our customers to cower? To not come? To arm themselves?
Also, Rob, we have invested and so far lost about $1.7 million on our various ventures on H. We barely can make mortgages and payrolls at this point. Charity will come but it is hard to find any extra money at this point.
Should I tell the young owners and investors on H to sacrifice even more? Should they not pay their kid's health care bills or not pay their credit card bills so they can pay for someone else's kids first? (And don't get me wrong, I would have personally given some money to the Eastern Band if someone would have contacted me.)
When our businesses have extra money at this point, we try to give our chefs or dishwashers or doormen a little money first. Charity will come when we actually have any money to give away.
Also, I was interviewed BEFORE the 13 year old boy was tragically killed. I regret if my remarks look like I am not concerned that such a thing happened to this young man and his family.
Thanks for the clarification Joe. It's DC media -- take what you read with a grain of salt. Visited Doc G's and Sticky Rice both over the last three days. Everyone keep up the great work, my family will be back again and again. Special thanks to Sticky Rice for being kid (14 months) friendly.
Hi Joe, it wasn't me suggesting that your businesses give money as donations, that was someone else. I was talking about your comments toward Trinidad. I know you're trying reassure your mushroom-eating clientele from the more genteel zip codes that "those people" in the hood stay behind the imaginary line so they'll keep coming, but what I'd have you do is do it w/ a bit more subtlety. But that's just me. And I also wanted to let you know some of your customers actually live in Trinidad & we have quite a bit to do w/ H St.
How about this for Sunday night quarterbacking on those quotes:
"There are some good people in Trinidad that support our businesses on H Street," Englert said, "And they are the ones who have to put up with the violence in their (see, you don't even have to claim us!) neighborhood.
"The economic health of our businesses on H Street will do as much to change the community as policing, education and community support, and that's WHY everyone should drive from 15-plus miles away to enjoy a burger made from an animal that most people in Trinidad couldn't damn well identify."
Hell yes, I'm pissed off.
I'm not asking for your charity. I'm giving my money to support your business every chance I can get in these tough financial times. I'm talking your restaurants up to everyone of my suburban living friends. I'm one of the biggest cheerleader you could hope for.
So here's a media tip from a former reporter: Sarcasm doesn't work in print.
I think we should all take a deep breath... he is trying to dispel the media frenzy regarding Trinidad. Let's not take offense to these type of remarks.
Joe has done a tremendous amount of positive to H street, and I think we wouldn't even be calling it a "revitalizing corridor" if it wasn't for him. Thanks for all you have done, Joe.
And let's hope the violence dissapates and this is the type of converation we won't be having in a year.
Suggesting that H Street businesses don't care about the neighborhood because they didn't contribute to one particular charity (a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame) is fairly silly, and unfair.
The enormous amount of taxes that new H Street businesses (including Joe's) are generating are paying for tons of social programs. Far more than the vacant storefronts that were there before ever generated.
Chill the *^#@ out. Joe is taking a huge financial risk to even help this area, and you're coming across as ungrateful. I'm not saying you need to kiss his ass, but you wouldn't even be coming to H Street nearly as much if it were not for him. Of course he knows a number of customers are coming from Trinidad, so why would he trash the neighborhood.
And where do you people get the idea that all these business owners on H St are even making money yet. It's H St, not U St or Adams Morgan. Half you people support a couple businesses at most, but act like other deserving businesses just run by themselves.
From a fellow DC business owner who knows how long it takes to run a profitable business
"you're coming across as ungrateful" ... people open businesses for one reason: to make money. i thought they were supposed to be grateful to their customers, not the other way around.
Charles: in our situation, both are true. Certainly business owners should be grateful to their customers. Absolutely, yes. OTOH, given the incredible obstacles faced by anyone trying to get a business going and thriving on H Street NE, and given the years and years of blocks of abandoned storefronts that came before, people around here have reason to be grateful to those willing to risk a lot to start a business here. Would you really prefer the H Street of 5-10 years ago? No? Then you have something to be grateful for too.
The funny thing is that I feel safer walking in Trinidad than I do on H St at any given moment.
It's strange how all of a sudden anything that happens in 5d, Trinidad is automatically linked to the story. Media is full of Crap and most of the time they are reporting false information. They are so lacking knowledge of the area.
"The economic health of our businesses on H Street will do as much to change the community as policing, education and community support..."
I don't know if there ever been a truer statement said about H Street and it's surrounding communities. Joe, thanks for everything!! A major reason I (and many others including in Trinidad) have bought into this neighborhood is because of the positive development on and North of H Street. Please know that for each negative blogger looking to disect your words for anything negative (real or imagined)there are twenty or thirty who may not post but who read this blog as well as others just waiting to see what exciting news is around the corner for H Street. Thank you and every other business owner taking a chance in our sector of this city!! We will help to make everyone of you successful.
Joe's right, these businesses don't have a ton of spare cash to give to charity, but if you were paying attention, you'd see that despite that there are a large number of fundraisers held on this street. Back when Quike (from the argonaut) was shot, several of the bars on the street worked together to raise money to help both him and his family. In the time since, both Palace of Wonders, the Red and the Black, and the Pug have all raised money for different groups. more importantly, beyond giving money, we work together as a family on this street and think of ourselves as part of a larger neighborhood. As Joe said, when there is more money, donations will come, but right now, we're doing what we can to be a positive addition to this community.
"I was actually surprised that none of the H street places didn't have a benefit or at least pass the hat for the 12 year kid that was killed."
I know of a certain now closed night spot that offered a charity for the kid... hehe
Every time someone opens something on H, they have to field the stupid question, "Is it safe to go there?" I'm sure Joe's heard it way too many times. I'm a little surprised that this is even an issue, FWIW, as a snippet about crime the next neighborhood over comes up every single time something opens on H.
Considering that there were 4 police reported violent crimes in the 1200 and 1300 Block of H Street in July, I'd think that none of us should stick our heads in the sand and sing la la la.
Whatever happened to Quike? I haven't seen him around for a long time.
Speaking of Will Power, weren't they not able to pay rent since this past winter, or some other stupid rumor about thm closing down? They seem to be doing okay, right?
25 comments:
"What does Trinidad have to do with H Street?" Besides us coming two blocks over and eating in your places?
Joe, I know you're playing to a wider audience when talking to the press, but that statement still annoys me, to put it mildly.
I've got a whole rant teed up here, but given that it may have been the interviewer or editor who pulled that quote out of a long interview, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they left out the quotes where you were expressing solidarity and compassion for "us people" over here.
that statement still annoys me, to put it mildly.
May I just say that I'm offended by the offense you've taken.
Having said that, I hope my offense doesn't offend anyone.
"What does Trinidad have to do with H Street?" is a very offensive comment. I was actually surprised that none of the H street places didn't have a benefit or at least pass the hat for the 12 year kid that was killed.
None of the H street businesses donated to the Eastern High school band trip (see this week's City Paper). Match Box on 8th st SE donated $1,100 and ask for other businesses to match it. None did. I'm not seeing any of these places giving back to the community at all. If they are, I'd like to hear about it. I'm not just talking about Joes's places. What has PNC or Bank of America done?
as the devil's advocate, i'll respond to the last comment.
what the heck do you expect the businesses on h street to do to "fix" their violent little neighbor to the north?
yes, it would be helpful if all the businesses threw dollars at charities, events, schools, etc.
but imho, they're just funding a bunch of lying, thieving, killing, miscreants.
give 'em a day job for the summer, but they still steal cars at night, and sometimes shoot people.
if they put $$ into educating parents .... on HOW TO BE PARENTS, maybe we'd have a solution.
throwing money "to the community" when there really isn't one is just stupid.
yeah, restaurants and banks are going to save the hood. the same hood that the district can't control?
that's one uphill battle, to say the least.
Poop,
Just maybe we should fix the problem the way that they do it in Brasil with vigilante cops? Works real well down there doesn't it? Maybe that why you are here?
Very few people in this community are "a bunch of lying, thieving, killing, miscreants."
Joe Englert said:
I appreciate the residents of Trinidad. And my heart goes out to anybody that has to put up with living in a violent neighborhood. I lived at 14th and W in the 90's and know all about living in a war zone.
BUT
The press repeatedly called me to yell the sky was falling on H street and I gave them some flippant quotes in response.
Should I have told our customers to cower? To not come? To arm themselves?
Also, Rob, we have invested and so far lost about $1.7 million on our various ventures on H. We barely can make mortgages and payrolls at this point. Charity will come but it is hard to find any extra money at this point.
Should I tell the young owners and investors on H to sacrifice even more? Should they not pay their kid's health care bills or not pay their credit card bills so they can pay for someone else's kids first? (And don't get me wrong, I would have personally given some money to the Eastern Band if someone would have contacted me.)
When our businesses have extra money at this point, we try to give our chefs or dishwashers or doormen a little money first. Charity will come when we actually have any money to give away.
Joe Englert said:
Also, I was interviewed BEFORE the 13 year old boy was tragically killed. I regret if my remarks look like I am not concerned that such a thing happened to this young man and his family.
Thanks for the clarification Joe. It's DC media -- take what you read with a grain of salt. Visited Doc G's and Sticky Rice both over the last three days. Everyone keep up the great work, my family will be back again and again. Special thanks to Sticky Rice for being kid (14 months) friendly.
Hi Joe, it wasn't me suggesting that your businesses give money as donations, that was someone else. I was talking about your comments toward Trinidad. I know you're trying reassure your mushroom-eating clientele from the more genteel zip codes that "those people" in the hood stay behind the imaginary line so they'll keep coming, but what I'd have you do is do it w/ a bit more subtlety. But that's just me. And I also wanted to let you know some of your customers actually live in Trinidad & we have quite a bit to do w/ H St.
How about this for Sunday night quarterbacking on those quotes:
"There are some good people in Trinidad that support our businesses on H Street," Englert said, "And they are the ones who have to put up with the violence in their (see, you don't even have to claim us!) neighborhood.
"The economic health of our businesses on H Street will do as much to change the community as policing, education and community support, and that's WHY everyone should drive from 15-plus miles away to enjoy a burger made from an animal that most people in Trinidad couldn't damn well identify."
Hell yes, I'm pissed off.
I'm not asking for your charity. I'm giving my money to support your business every chance I can get in these tough financial times. I'm talking your restaurants up to everyone of my suburban living friends. I'm one of the biggest cheerleader you could hope for.
So here's a media tip from a former reporter: Sarcasm doesn't work in print.
I think we should all take a deep breath... he is trying to dispel the media frenzy regarding Trinidad. Let's not take offense to these type of remarks.
Joe has done a tremendous amount of positive to H street, and I think we wouldn't even be calling it a "revitalizing corridor" if it wasn't for him. Thanks for all you have done, Joe.
And let's hope the violence dissapates and this is the type of converation we won't be having in a year.
Suggesting that H Street businesses don't care about the neighborhood because they didn't contribute to one particular charity (a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame) is fairly silly, and unfair.
The enormous amount of taxes that new H Street businesses (including Joe's) are generating are paying for tons of social programs. Far more than the vacant storefronts that were there before ever generated.
So get off Joe's butt on this one.
Ginny,
Chill the *^#@ out. Joe is taking a huge financial risk to even help this area, and you're coming across as ungrateful. I'm not saying you need to kiss his ass, but you wouldn't even be coming to H Street nearly as much if it were not for him. Of course he knows a number of customers are coming from Trinidad, so why would he trash the neighborhood.
And where do you people get the idea that all these business owners on H St are even making money yet. It's H St, not U St or Adams Morgan. Half you people support a couple businesses at most, but act like other deserving businesses just run by themselves.
From a fellow DC business owner who knows how long it takes to run a profitable business
Yeah Ginny, I bet you don't even come up to HairRage to get your weave put in!
No way I'd open a business on H if it meant I had to deal with the crap that goes on on here.
"you're coming across as ungrateful" ... people open businesses for one reason: to make money. i thought they were supposed to be grateful to their customers, not the other way around.
Charles: in our situation, both are true. Certainly business owners should be grateful to their customers. Absolutely, yes. OTOH, given the incredible obstacles faced by anyone trying to get a business going and thriving on H Street NE, and given the years and years of blocks of abandoned storefronts that came before, people around here have reason to be grateful to those willing to risk a lot to start a business here. Would you really prefer the H Street of 5-10 years ago? No? Then you have something to be grateful for too.
The funny thing is that I feel safer walking in Trinidad than I do on H St at any given moment.
It's strange how all of a sudden anything that happens in 5d, Trinidad is automatically linked to the story. Media is full of Crap and most of the time they are reporting false information. They are so lacking knowledge of the area.
Sick to the stomache
"The economic health of our businesses on H Street will do as much to change the community as policing, education and community support..."
I don't know if there ever been a truer statement said about H Street and it's surrounding communities. Joe, thanks for everything!! A major reason I (and many others including in Trinidad) have bought into this neighborhood is because of the positive development on and North of H Street. Please know that for each negative blogger looking to disect your words for anything negative (real or imagined)there are twenty or thirty who may not post but who read this blog as well as others just waiting to see what exciting news is around the corner for H Street. Thank you and every other business owner taking a chance in our sector of this city!! We will help to make everyone of you successful.
Joe's right, these businesses don't have a ton of spare cash to give to charity, but if you were paying attention, you'd see that despite that there are a large number of fundraisers held on this street. Back when Quike (from the argonaut) was shot, several of the bars on the street worked together to raise money to help both him and his family. In the time since, both Palace of Wonders, the Red and the Black, and the Pug have all raised money for different groups. more importantly, beyond giving money, we work together as a family on this street and think of ourselves as part of a larger neighborhood. As Joe said, when there is more money, donations will come, but right now, we're doing what we can to be a positive addition to this community.
"I was actually surprised that none of the H street places didn't have a benefit or at least pass the hat for the 12 year kid that was killed."
I know of a certain now closed night spot that offered a charity for the kid... hehe
Every time someone opens something on H, they have to field the stupid question, "Is it safe to go there?" I'm sure Joe's heard it way too many times. I'm a little surprised that this is even an issue, FWIW, as a snippet about crime the next neighborhood over comes up every single time something opens on H.
Considering that there were 4 police reported violent crimes in the 1200 and 1300 Block of H Street in July, I'd think that none of us should stick our heads in the sand and sing la la la.
Whatever happened to Quike? I haven't seen him around for a long time.
How about I'll cut off the 3-feet of hair I already have, sell it and donate the $$ to Joe and get a replacement weave at Hair Rage?
Just to clarify: I'm grateful as all hell that Joe's on H Street. That's why I bought in Trinidad.
I also work for a restaurant owner in DC, and she's seeing profits down 10 percent from last year. I know it's tough out there.
Re: Trinidad. Just don't kick us when we're already down.
Re: H St. business owners giving back
I know that both Will Power and Sweets n Treats (the ice cream shop) are employing teenagers this summer through the city's employment program.
Speaking of Will Power, weren't they not able to pay rent since this past winter, or some other stupid rumor about thm closing down? They seem to be doing okay, right?
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