March 8, 2014

DC NEW DEVELOPMENT

I wrote a post about the Newsome building on H St. NW the other day that was picked up by PoPville and others and the resulting comments have been amazingly helpful. Thanks everybody.

So I reached out to Dan (Prince of Petworth) to ask if we could post regularly on PoPville during the course of our real estate search. So I’m writing these posts for a larger audience than we typically find at cloverfoodlab.com

I admit, I left this past trip to DC feeling a bit confused. But that’s good, right? Clarity follows the cloud of confusion. Right?

Based in no small part on the comments of the loyal readers of PoPville and here on cloverfoodlab.com. I made a spreadsheet summarizing your input and targeted new sites. I asked Gary, my realtor, to focus on more developed sites this past trip to DC. We looked at a place I didn’t like at all across from the Verizon center. Great location, but no character, step down, no venting. Not the place where DC meets Clover.

We looked at some new developments. This is foreign to me. In Boston we don’t have these.

I’m even learning of stories where landlords are buying out tenants so that they can upgrade to better operators. I’ve never heard of that in Boston. And they seem to take a real interest in creating a good mix of different uses. Overall it’s a really sophisticated approach to development and pretty exciting for an operator like Clover. We love the idea of being a part of a well curated mix of retail that’s constantly picked and pruned.

We visited a development on 14th St. NW near R st. (I added the NW this time, see, I’m learning.) From what I understand this development used to be a homeless shelter that was relocated. I don’t know how that’s seen here. I can’t imagine that being done in Boston, it would be very controversial. Is that why we don’t see new developments in Boston?

There are 2 buildings, one that used to be 3 town houses, and another that’s slightly larger. There is going to be retail at the street and 160 condos above. The building is beautiful. We would be looking at one of the smaller “town houses.” The developer clearly cares about the aesthetics, and making adjustments that are historically accurate. I’m told these are going to regain bay windows, that were removed when the first floors was converted to garages for cars.

The ceilings are high. Light is beautiful. We’re looking at a space that I believe is 1,500 sq ft. We’d be paying a lot, something like $80/ square foot. That comes out to about $330/ day rent, which means we’d need about $3.5k/ day sales, which for us means 600 customers (our prices are low). Any chance of that here?

We had a great cup of coffee at Peregrine across the street (I recognize them from a visit to Union Market, and we know the folks at Counter Culture well, dating back to a visit there in 2010, we visited North Carolina in 2011 to tour Counter Culture’s operation). What do you all think of 14th NW? Would we have a lunch business?

Recent Posts

November 29, 2023
I’m writing to share some news: we’ve decided to permanently close CloverROW, our outpost in the Assembly Row neighborhood of Somerville. The closure of this restaurant is part of the whole company’s focus on reaching financial sustainability and positioning us for future growth. These decisions are really hard, but they’re necessary steps for us to simplify Clover. And, happily, all the amazing staff at CloverROW, including the manager Joe, will be able to move into other Clover restaurants. The math is straightforward…
November 28, 2023
These sweet potato latkes date back to early days on the Clover food truck. They’re so yummy and the sweet potatoes lend them such a fun golden color. They’re probably the most popular item in our Hanukkah Meal Box, which you can get delivered on December 7th. Inside the box you’ll find: 
November 21, 2023
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We will be closed Thursday 11/23 at all locations. For our kitchen team, it will be a good chance to rest after prepping a ton of Brussels casseroles for our Thanksgiving Box : ) As for the days surrounding Thanksgiving, we’ll be open normal hours, except for CloverFIN (Financial District) and CloverHSC (Harvard Science Center) which will be closed tomorrow and Friday. CloverHSQ (Harvard Square) will be closing early (at 8pm) tomorrow. 
November 16, 2023
I’m not a big believer in multitasking (which, in my experience, is doing a bunch of things simultaneously and badly.) But there’s a lot going on at Clover right now, so I had to break my No Multitasking Rule on Wednesday. I asked Michele and Greg on our Finance team if they’d mind if I took myself off video during a meeting to review Accounts Payable. “I have to draw a cartoon Delicata Squash,” I explained, reasonably.
November 16, 2023
Some of you have been asking for a sides-only box – and it’s true, sides are the best part, aren’t they? We’re making a limited number of boxes with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and King Brussels’ Casserole. Each Sides Box serves 6-8 people and can be delivered to your door for 11/21 or 11/22. 
November 9, 2023
The moment you’ve waited for is here. Western Mass Brussels sprouts are back in the restaurants, which means the King himself has landed! What’s on this glorious sandwich and why is it the King of all seasonal sandwiches? A dijon-mayo spread, smoked Grafton cheddar, fried Brussels tossed with za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), pickled red cabbage, and toasted hazelnuts.
November 6, 2023
On Friday we had a company meeting with all our leadership to talk about a decision we’ve made about the future of Clover. We are all focused on putting Clover on solid financial footing so we can continue to make the food you love for many years to come. COVID changed everything for restaurants like us. The way we eat, drink, work, and get together has shifted substantially and, while Clover has seen a steady recovery in sales…
October 29, 2023
Julia here. Today, October 29, is Clover’s birthday! 15 years of perfect pita, crispy chickpea fritters, countless sandwiches that cycle with the seasons, and of course the occasional birthday cupcake. How lucky are we? Although I’ve been working at Clover for a year and a half, this was my first week as CEO. I’m excited and honored to be stepping into this role. I’ve been a Clover enthusiast for a long time – since my first taste of a Blue Oyster Mushroom sandwich as a grad student in 2013. As COO and now as CEO…
October 26, 2023
If you stop by tomorrow (Friday 10/27) around 11am, you might be treated to a bit of Clover history in the form of a carrot cupcake with buttercream frosting. One per paying customer, while they last! And they may not last long : )
October 26, 2023
A bunch of you have been asking, and yes, we are doing a Thanksgiving Box menu again this year, with all the favorites from years past – Hubbard Squash glazed with maple-Sriracha butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, Ayr’s dad’s walnut-mushroom patè, stuffing – there’s even a limited run of Petsi pies. Free delivery to your door if you’re within 30 miles of us. Click here to reserve yours.
October 22, 2023
I’ve recently asked somebody who believes in Clover as much as I do to step into the CEO role. Julia Wrin Piper has been Clover’s COO for the past 18 months and will take over running the company day-to-day. I’ll be shifting my efforts to provide support for Julia and the team, work on growth opportunities, and pursue partnerships that will amplify Clover’s mission. I’ll remain a member of the Board of Directors and active as an advisor and mentor. Clover is facing a potent mix of opportunity and challenge right now and I know Julia is exactly the right person to lead the team through these twists and turns.
October 18, 2023
On 10/29 Clover will turn 15 years old. It’s been 15 years since we first pulled up a tiny white food truck to the MIT campus in hopes of testing a menu that could make a dent in global warming. Since then we’ve supported so many local farmers; had tons of adventures on board trucks and restaurants; and met tons of wonderful customers. And most of all we’ve made food. Lots and lots of food. In honor of our 15th birthday, we sent out a survey asking you about your favorite LONG-LOST MENU ITEMS. We’ve picked the top results and we’re going to bring them back for one day only – in the form of a Birthday Meal Box!