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Join the Seven-Stop Shaw Ribbon Cutting Marathon, June 2, 2014!

On Monday, June 2, 2014, Shaw Main Streets will host Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other invited guests as ribbons are cut celebrating the opening of seven new businesses, including new African, Italian, and seafood restaurants, a hotel, a muffin shop, a salon, and a Starbucks coffee shop.

At 10:30 AM, the ribbon cutting marathon will start at the Cambria Suites at 899 O Street, NW, a 180-room all suites hotel that is part of the City Market at O development (www.cambriadc.com).  Included in the hotel is Urban Kitchen, a small plates restaurant on the second floor.

The second stop on the Ribbon-Cutting Marathon is right next door at 815 O Street, NW, where Starbucks has opened their newest Washington, DC location (www.starbucks.com).

Then there’s a sprint to 1817 7th Street, NW, where Uprising Muffin Company owner Donnie Simpson, Jr. will have fresh coffee and freshly-baked muffins ready (www.uprisingmuffins.com).  Right next door, Fishnet’s first DC location (original restaurant is in College Park, MD) is ready to serve their popular fish sandwiches and tacos for lunch and dinner (1819 7th Street, NW, www.fishnet.com). Owner/chef Ferhat Yalcin was formerly the general manager of Shaw’s Corduroy Restaurant.

A few long strides up the block is Wanda’s on 7th, an all-new salon and spa from the only business owner returning to Progression Place from before the redevelopment of the site, with neighborhood favorite Wanda Henderson at the helm (1851 7th Street, NW, www.wandason7th.com). Then there’s a dash to 9th Street to 1924 9th Street, NW, Lower Level, where owner Prince Makey’s Appioo African Bar and Grill serves West African cuisine at lunch and dinner time (www.appioorestaurant.com).

And the finish line will be at Dino’s Grotto (1914 9th Street, NW, www.dinoinshaw.com), where the team from Dino in Cleveland Park, led by chef/owner Dean Gold, has brought Italian favorites from their former location and paired them with new, small plate selections and two bars.

 “Seven new businesses, combined with another eight openings earlier in the year, means that we’re ahead of schedule in our race to open at least 20 new businesses in central Shaw this year,” says Alexander M. Padro, executive director of the non-profit Shaw Main Streets, which is hosting the ribbon cuttings.  “Back when we started in 2003, we’d be happy if we had a handful of openings to celebrate each year,” Padro continues. “Now, they’re coming so fast that the only way we can schedule ribbon cuttings is three, five, or seven at a time.”