Convention Center to Get Diner, Market and Other New Businesses

(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A diner, a corner market and four other businesses are set to open in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced today.

According to a news release, the businesses are:

·         Unconventional Diner, a locally owned and operated high-end diner concept and brainchild of two DC residents/business owners.

·         Union Kitchen Grocery, a locally inspired corner market that will be expanding the brand’s footprint to the Shaw neighborhood.  Union Kitchen Grocery has an existing location in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

·         Smoked & Stacked, a fast-casual sandwich shop that will showcase in-house brined and smoked pastrami.

·         Morris, a craft cocktail bar, featuring notable DC-based chef and restauranteur, Spike Mendelsohn.  This cocktail bar will be an expansion from their Sheppard concept which had its original location in Dupont Circle.

·         Urban Athletic Club and Composition ID, a motivating and inspiring fitness marketplace and health diagnostic center. Urban Athletic Club has previously existing locations in both Georgetown and Glover Park.

·         A Barbershop Concept that will relocate their pre-existing location in the Shaw neighborhood.

Construction is expected to begin next year for the businesses, which will fill up all of the convention center’s vacant, street-facing retail space.

“The realized potential of the convention center’s retail is yet another sign of DC’s economic vibrancy,” Bowser said in a statement. “I’m excited to see District-based businesses bring new services to residents and tourists in the Shaw neighborhood.”

Photo via Twitter/Mayor Muriel Bowser