Business in Brief: Laliguras closes; More progress in filling vacant Connecticut Ave. retail; Sprucing up the place

Farewell to Laliguras: On August 12th, Laliguras Indian & Nepali Bistro posted this message on its Facebook page: “With a mix of emotions, we bid farewell to an incredible journey. Laliguras Indian Bistro – Van Ness has permanently closed its doors today. We are immensely grateful for your unwavering support throughout the years.”

The restaurant attracted a following soon after it opened at 4221 Connecticut Avenue in 2014. And in 2015, Washington Post restaurant critic Tim Carman praised chef-owner Dawa Tamang for giving Nepali cuisine equal billing on the menu. He also said the Indian food at Laliguras was almost too good – diners would not be tempted to stray from the familiar.

Businesses are opening, too: The Laliguras closure adds a retail vacancy to the Connecticut Avenue corridor just as landlords make substantial progress toward filling the gaps. Those include UDC signing leases with Dog Haus and The Whale Tea at 4340 Connecticut, and MOM’s Organic Market working toward a December opening at 4250 Connecticut. In addition, an art gallery is moving into the former Headliner Salon at 5008 Connecticut. And at ANC 3F’s July 18th meeting, Van Ness Main Street executive director Gloria Garcia hinted at “exciting news to come” at the former Uptown Market space at 4465 Connecticut.

Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of Van Ness Main Street.

Sprucing up the place: Van Ness and upper corridor businesses have been working to update and upgrade their storefronts. Those include the Days Inn, which “is undergoing a more than one million dollar renovation – both interior and facade and landscape,” said Garcia on July 18th. “Shortly we hope that we will be announcing some tours so people can see what what it looks like inside.”

ZIPS Dry Cleaners sports a new awning. The business at 4418 Connecticut was one of the 2023 winners of DC’s “Robust Retail” grant, and received $5,000.

Shemali’s has received the sidewalk cafe permit it requested last spring. The business is also working to add a grill inside, in order to serve hot food. And now, customers have a place to sit and enjoy their orders on the premises.

Rosemary Bistro Cafe’s streetery at 5010 Connecticut has undergone a major upgrade, which ANC 3F commissioner Courtney Carlson praised on July 18th. Owner Fred Darricarrere “has really done an amazing job of investing in his streetery,” Carlson said. “He cleaned the top, painted it, installed Plexiglas on the side. It really opens up that side of the avenue while still allowing his business to have a lot of extra outdoor seating in the summer months. So kudos to him, and I think it’s a great addition to how that streetscape looks on that side of the street.”

And Van Ness Main Street and Gopuff have announced the winners of their window art competition.

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The artwork will be displayed in Gopuff’s currently blank windows at 4221 Connecticut, and the unveiling will happen at Art All Night on Friday, September 29th.

Our own Little Italy on the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue: Sister restaurants I’m Eddie Cano and Italian Bar are hosting a Little Italy summer bash on Saturday, August 26th with drink specials, live music and more. The restaurant group is also promoting “Sicily in September,” with pasta-making classes and wine dinners and tastings.

In other news: The Chevy Chase Starbucks is the second in the District to unionize. Other Chevy Chase businesses contributed a song to a summer/fall Spotify playlist put together by Chevy Chase Main Street and Chevy Chase News & Notes.

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