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Axios DC
DMV home sellers can save some cash, if they speak up
When headlines broke about the National Association of Realtors settlement, sellers called their agents wondering: Am I off the hook to pay you?Why it matters: Sellers never technically had to offer compensation to the buyer's agent — and that number has technically always been negotiable — but it's certainly status quo.Catch up quick: The idea behind the settlement is that buyers should be paying their agent, but sellers can still offer some form of compensation.The big picture: Most agents say that each transaction is going to involve a lot more back and forth with consumers come August. However, many are...
Bastille Day celebrations around D.C.
Bastille Day is Sunday and lots of places around D.C. are celebrating la fête nationale.Why it matters: France's national day is big here, given all the expats and great French restaurants.Things to do Sunday (unless noted otherwise):🎶 Josephine (Old Town): The nouveau bistro is throwing a family-friendly soirée in their Rosé Garden with face painting, balloon twisting, live violin music, and specials (10am-6pm).👯♂️ Le Mont Royal (Adams Morgan): The French-Canadian "disco/bistro" is hosting a disco-pop party with BOGO bottles of Champagne and French rosé, cocktail and food specials, and DJ tunes from 4pm to 8pm (specials go all night).🐌...
Heat waves cause Amtrak travel delays, slow Metro
You're not the only one moving slower in a heat wave. Extreme temperatures are slowing down Metro trains and causing Amtrak delays.Why it matters: Climate change impacts transportation and we're feeling the effects with hotter, longer commutes.The big picture: Prolonged high temperatures can cause outdoor rail tracks to expand and deform. As a result, Amtrak and Metro trains operate at slower speeds when heat spikes and railways are closely monitored for kinks.Abnormalities aren't very common, but precautionary measures are taken to keep riders safe.Zoom in: Metro trains are reduced to 35 mph on outdoor tracks when the rails get above...
Starbucks is returning to Union Station
Starbucks is returning to Union Station, two years after it closed a shop there during a low point in retail activity.The big picture: The coffee giant's return comes as foot traffic is up 92% since 2022 and increased security has been added to help revitalize Union Station, according to Rexmark, which manages its retail operations.The latest: Starbucks will build a 2,000-square-foot space, nearly double the size of its previous location.A Starbucks spokesperson cited "several enhancements" made to the station since it left, including more safety.The big picture: Amtrak, which owns most of Union Station, is planning for decades down the...
Here's what's happening in D.C. this weekend
This weekend in D.C., check out a Romanian cultural festival at The Wharf, Band Bash at City Ridge, Capital Fringe, Drafts & Crafts and more. 1. 🇷🇴 Celebrate Romanian cultureYou don't have to go all the way to Europe to experience Romania this summer.Driving the news: The nation's biggest Romanian cultural festival returns to The Wharf this weekend for year three.The vibe: The free three-day event will showcase traditional food, drinks, craft demonstrations, live music and dance performances.What they're saying: "The Romanian Weekend at The Wharf has reinvented the public and cultural diplomacy of Romania in the United States," Romanian...
Tyra Banks is opening a "smize" cream shop in D.C.
Here's something we never expected: Tyra Banks is opening her first-ever scoop shop in Woodley Park next Friday.Yes, that Tyra Banks.Why it matters: Banks added ice-cream entrepreneur and nonprofit leader to her supermodel/actor/global icon resume, and she's chosen D.C. as a runway to launch.Catch up quick: The "America's Next Top Model" host started her ice-cream company, Smize Cream, five years ago ("Smize" being Banksese for "smiling with your eyes"). Smize earlier had some pop-ups in California, but is now focused on a stand in Dubai and this new one.Now a D.C. "Flavor Studio" pop-up will serve scoops across from the...
End of the X2: All of the Metro bus routes are being rebranded
Goodbye, the X2: Metro is redesigning its regional bus network with a proposal for 123 new routes — and rebranded bus lines.Why it matters: Metro promises "improved service, especially during evenings and on weekends" with the overhaul, in addition to "more efficient bus stop spacing" … and new names for all the routes.State of play: The proposed routes and names can be viewed online now. WMATA is asking the public to weigh in.Under the plan, the first character of D.C. routes will be either "D" or "C."That means no more infamous X2 line. Or the decades-old 30 bus lines that...
New tech incubator Station DC to open in Union Market
A new tech incubator is opening in Washington, D.C., right as the federal government pours billions of dollars into chip manufacturing and AI.Why it matters: Station DC aims to take advantage of the U.S. government and military's increased interest in tech innovations, which has led to an influx of companies wanting a presence in Washington.Driving the news: Josh Baer, the founder of Texas-based entrepreneur hub Capital Factory, plans to build a 15,000-square-foot space in the buzzy Union Market neighborhood. It hopes to open early next year above Pastis.The District approved $2 million over the next two fiscal years for the...
Best Caesar salads and spinoffs in D.C.
Caesar salad is having a moment — actually a century of moments, as the Tijuana-born dish is celebrating its centennial and everyone's craving one.Who makes the best is a hot topic in D.C. Our top five:🍸 Perfect: All-Purpose (Shaw) ups the game with a special inspired by TikTok's "perfect meal": Their delicious Caesar, fries, and "freezer martini" for $25 (available weekend brunch and Sunday nights).🌯 Wrap: The Best Sandwich Place (Downtown) is the answer to that viral question thanks to a perfect chicken-to-lettuce ratio, no panini treatment (soggy lettuce, boo), and croutons. Always croutons.🧄 Classic: Caruso's Grocery (Capitol Hill, North...
Compass Coffee confronts unionization drive
Late last month, Compass Coffee was facing a swirl of bad PR over a brewing unionization drive, when it reached out to Jade Womack, a young D.C. influencer. The chain wanted a local personality to join an annual all-expenses-paid trip to one of its contract coffee farms, this time in Bali.
DMV under extreme and major heat risks
Parts of the DMV are under extreme and major heat risks Wednesday, with highs around 96 and heat index values as high as 106. Why it matters: Exposure to extreme or prolonged heat caused by climbing global temperatures is the top weather-related killer in the U.S. State of play: Mayor...
DoorDash cracks down on driver traffic law violations in D.C.
DoorDash just announced new steps to crack down on traffic law violations and account sharing among its drivers in D.C. and other U.S. cities.Why it matters: The company's new initiatives could help address concerns about contracted drivers on scooters and motorcycles breaking traffic laws while making deliveries.Catch up quick: The new safety protocols, starting first in Boston, come as officials in major cities have expressed concern over an influx of mopeds — some illegal — and reckless driving.D.C. police launched a two-week "Operation Ride Right" program last month to crack down on illegal scooter activity and address safety concerns.Zoom in:...
Yellow café brings hit pita sandwiches, pastries to Union Market
Popular Levantine pita shop and café Yellow just opened a second location in the Union Market District.Why it matters: Chef/owner Michael Rafidi is on a roll with a recent James Beard Award and a growing restaurant family — and based on the line out the door at Yellow's opening today, diners can't get enough.Dig in: Rafidi originally opened Yellow as a pandemic pop-up adjoining his Michelin-starred Navy Yard restaurant, Albi, serving elevated wood-fired pita sandwiches, whimsical Levantine pastries, and coffee drinks in a casual cafe setting.That Yellow has since closed, but its offspring in Georgetown and now Union Market have...
COVID in D.C. sees slight bump amid FLiRT variant
More people staying indoors because of extreme heat plus a busy July 4 travel period is expected to fuel more COVID infections amid a summer surge.The big picture: Fewer people are worrying about the virus, or taking tests when they feel sick. And while experts expect this summer wave to stay mild, COVID still poses a risk, especially for the immunocompromised and other medically vulnerable residents.State of play: Cases are growing or likely growing in 39 states as of July 2, according to the latest CDC data. That includes D.C., where there's a relatively tiny increase in people testing positive.Hospitalizations...
See Grand Slam tennis champs play at D.C.'s Citi Open
Nine of the world's top 20 tennis players, several Grand Slam champions, and Hyattsville star Frances Tiafoe will head to D.C. later this month for the Citi Open.Why it matters: The tournament is a chance to see big-name tennis pros right in your backyard.State of play: Mubadala Citi DC Open shared its star-studded lineup with Axios for the July 27-August 4 showdown at Rock Creek Park.Think two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur, and Ben Shelton, ranked No. 14 in the world.In addition to the matches, there will also be a kids' day on July 27, with tennis and games for little ones ages 5-12, plus autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, according to a press release.Local spots like Dolcezza, Taco Bamba, and Georgetown Cupcake will be serving up snacks at the tourney.If you go: Tickets are currently on sale, and prices vary per match.
Republican platform echoes Trump's vows for greater control over D.C.
The 2024 Republican platform officially prioritizes greater federal control over local Washington.Why it matters: It echoes some of Donald Trump's rhetoric to "take over" the capital city.Zoom in: The platform adopted Monday says "Republicans will reassert greater Federal Control over Washington, DC to restore Law and Order in our Capital City." It adds that it wants to "ensure Federal Buildings and Monuments are well-maintained."The slogan: "Make Washington D.C. the Safest and Most Beautiful Capital City."The language stops short of endorsing a repeal of D.C.'s home rule but is reminiscent of Trump's ideas for refining federal buildings (he likes classical architecture)...
Mediterranean-chic River Club opens on the Georgetown waterfront
The Georgetown waterfront has a chic new dining and drinking destination: River Club.Why it matters: It's been years since a new restaurant opened at Washington Harbour, and the team behind Dupont Circle's popular Residents Café & Bar is angling for another splashy venue.Dig in: Owners Farid Azouri and David Nammour channel Lebanon, Italy, and Spain in the former Bangkok Joe's space, which boasts 140 seats and an outdoor terrace.They wanted to create a spot that's somewhere in between the waterfront's casual bars (e.g. Nick's Riverside) and fine dining restaurants like Fiola Mare. "Fun, chic, and comfortable — we want to...
D.C.'s small apartments are getting bigger, while suburban units shrink
Data: RentCafe. Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosD.C.'s tiny apartments are getting slightly bigger on average, while units in the 'burbs are shrinking, per a recent report from RentCafe, a rental listing website.Why it matters: As high mortgage rates keep potential homebuyers on the sidelines, many locals are remaining renters in an already expensive market.The big picture: D.C. ranks number seven on the list of U.S. cities with the smallest average size of new apartments, coming in at 744 square feet, according to the report.Reality check: This is actually a (tiny) improvement: D.C. apartments have become 0.7% larger over the last decade when...
Exclusive: Dîner en Blanc is back in D.C.
Fancy flash mob picnic party Dîner en Blanc returns to D.C. on Saturday, September 21.Why it matters: Love it or love to hate on it, the globetrotting fête is always hugely popular and attracts thousands dressed in their blanc best.How it works: The all-white party, which started in Paris in the '80s, thrives on mystery. A location is revealed the day of — typically somewhere huge and photogenic, like the National Mall — and ticketholders flock to the setting with everything for a grand feast (BYO tables, chairs, oysters, decorative birds, etc.)Entry tickets ($52 per person) are available in phases....
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Axios DC, anchored by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Cuneyt Dil and Paige Hopkins, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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