Nats Park Area Updates (2012)

[CatsEye]

I think this has come up before, but does anyone know why there are no food trucks plying their trade near the ballpark?  There are always a few outside RFK before DC United games, but I don't believe that I have ever seen one anywhere around Nats Park.  Some vindaloo or Thai curry before a game would be aces.

According to some vendors I talked to while I was chomping on their chili dogs, there is a lottery, and each vendor is put in the lottery, and then names are drawn (business names, etc.) by DC , and those names drawn are allowed by DC to set up outside and around Nats Park, on the drawn dates,with the DC business license permit. If you don't have a permit, and you aren't in the lottery, you can't set up- DC's little monopoly. It is also why there is no cab line, at least last season, by Nats Park - permission of DC Business license and government not given -they run a tight little ship in the DC business permits and licensing. Oh yea, I've been there and done that - you do not want to screw around with the DC Business license/permits bureau......and that would be a Big "Hell No" ........

[imref]

The info on the new market area says it will have food trucks.

[imref]

JD reports the bullpen fence is down as they build the new fairgrounds/shipping container complex.

[MarquisDeSade]

I'm going to post a couple pics I took earlier today.  The Potbelly sign is up and the team store is completely empty.  The Half Street "Cuming Soon" signs are still at the Hole of Patheticness™ right across from the CF gates.

[jdland]

Potbelly is rumored to be opening next week, though they haven't said exactly when.

[MarquisDeSade]

It looked ready to go when I drove past it.  What's with the loft place behind it?  Failed condo conversion or were they always planned to be rentals?

[jdland]

Always planned to be rentals. Opened late last year, already over 70% leased.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/yards-foundrylofts.cfm

[imref]

Jose Andres has launched a food truck, would be fantastic to get that to the pavilion. 

http://dcist.com/2012/03/jose_andres_food_truck.php

[blue911]

Is Potbelly a Subway on steroids?

[MarquisDeSade]

Is Potbelly a Subway on steroids?

Not even comparable.  In terms of sandwich shops here's my ranking:

Potbelly > Jimmy Johns > Subway > Quiznos

[hammondsnats]

haha i like quizno's ... wait a minute, the nats team store is closed?

[MarquisDeSade]

haha i like quizno's ... wait a minute, the nats team store is closed?

I think they take all of the merch down to Spring Training.  There were some pretty cool murals up around the ticketing booths.

[imref]

Not even comparable.  In terms of sandwich shops here's my ranking:

Potbelly > Jimmy Johns > Subway > Quiznos

I'd put Firehouse Subs at the top, especially for those locations that have the coke machines with a zillion choices.

[Mathguy]

I'm not sure you're right about always planned as a rental.  There was probably a desire to build condos there, until the financial mess in 2008.

Always planned to be rentals. Opened late last year, already over 70% leased.

http://www.jdland.com/dc/yards-foundrylofts.cfm

[jdland]

No, I'm pretty sure I'm right.

[MarquisDeSade]

I'd put Firehouse Subs at the top, especially for those locations that have the coke machines with a zillion choices.

Good point, but I was basing that on what's available around the stadium.  Is there a Firehouse Subs near there?  If so, where, I'd like to check it out for myself.

[hammondsnats]

I think they take all of the merch down to Spring Training. 

that's stupid, they should have enough to where they can have the Nats Park team store open with merchandise and have a shop(s) in florida.

[imref]

Good point, but I was basing that on what's available around the stadium.  Is there a Firehouse Subs near there?  If so, where, I'd like to check it out for myself.

there aren't that many around here unfortunately.  Manassas, Annandale, Kingstowne/Springfield are the only ones in the area.

here's the coke machine I mentioned, they had one of these at the Firehouse in Florida we went to last summer:
http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/10/soda-we-try-all-100-flavors-from-the-coke-freestyle-machine.html

[MarquisDeSade]

Notice I said "think", they could have just moved them to another area of the stadium during renovations.

[hammondsnats]

Notice I said "think", they could have just moved them to another area of the stadium during renovations.

got ya ...

with all the crap we give them about selling phillies/yankees/etc gear (thanks lerner), they do have a pretty nice team store with good gear.

[MarquisDeSade]

They need more bobbleheads.  Our cat loooooooooooves laying next to the Racing Presidents bobbleheads, too bad they recalled all of the Teddy Rossevelts, I need that one to complete the set.

[Gleason2]

Potbelly is rumored to be opening next week, though they haven't said exactly when.

Where's the Potbelly going to be?

[jdland]

301 Tingey, ground floor of Foundry Lofts, just behind USDOT.

[Gleason2]

301 Tingey, ground floor of Foundry Lofts, just behind USDOT.

Got it.  Thanks!

[MarquisDeSade]

The end of the Bullpen:




I couldn't stop laughing at the banners from 2008 still being up.