Before We Were Here...

...this area was not inhabited by thousands of 18 - 22 year olds aimlessly running throughout the streets. It was predominately occupied by the working class, a sharp contrast from the notoriously wealthy upper-class students and government workers that now populate Foggy Bottom. Especially after the Civil War, the growing industrial economy drew in many types of laborers from various ethnic backgrounds. Due to the lack of money, the working class built their own modest, stone townhouses close together which exemplifies the close knit community that was created during this period. These houses are now part of the Foggy Bottom Historical District and are still occupied to this day. However, come 1912 when The George Washington University named Foggy Bottom its official campus larger buildings began to be erected in area. Noted Washington architects helped design the buildings in order to maintain the feel of the neighborhood, yet be able to facilitate all the needs of the University. Over the years, the campus has grown and developed to accomodate what the students like.  This take over by the University and government spurred the introduction corporate chains to the neighborhood.  What was once a small working neighborhood is now a budding University with a Starbucks on every other block and a Bertuccis ready to feed the masses. These mainstream eateries began to push out smaller, locally owned venues. Although this may be convenient for the face-paced worker, it has taken away some of the neighborhood's old charm.  Not all hope is lost though, if you desire something a little more personable you may just have to dig a little deeper.
-D&J

Hello, My Name Is...

...Devon Guralnick and I am freshman at George Washington University. From growing up in London I am already accustomed to the idea of a Starbucks on every street corner and other chains scattered throughout the city. However, amongst them were always the small, individually owned restaurants and cafes that had their own personality and character. Each one drew in a different crowd and offered something new. Whether it was the neighborhood pub that had its own cozy feel, a bar that served their drinks out of paint cans or a café in the side of cheese shop that offered a inimitable menu that incorporated various cheeses in almost every dish, they were all unique. These types of restaurants could be found everywhere throughout London, and more importantly, in every neighborhood. Coming to Foggy Bottom at first I thought it very similar to London until I realized I had to travel blocks before I could find places like I could find just down the street from me at home. Only after a semester of living in Foggy Bottom did I begin to explore the restaurants outside the domains of our campus (and within).  Since then I have began to appreciate the area that we live in more and think it is important that more people realize that our neighborhood has more to offer than the chains of shops run by the same people who run Gallery or the typical food of Au Bon Pain and Bertuccis.

- Devon Guralnick 

Hi!  I'm Josie Charrington and I am also freshman at George Washington Universty.  I moved to Washington DC from a suburb of Philadelphia and although it had its fair share of chains, there were a number of small neighborhood places that I had grown attached to.   As any person would, I quickly began to explore my new neighborhood of Foggy Bottom as soon as I got there.  I had high hopes of finding that great café, or cozy, hole-in-the-wall restaurant that you always pictured in cities.  You can imagine my initial disappointment when instead of finding these things I was bombarded with the all to familiar Starbucks and Bertuccis.  But like all places,you have to dig deeper to find all that it has to offer.  As I devoted more time to exploring my city, I was in turn rewarded.  I found my own places that I visit regularly and soon it all felt like home.  My only hope is that other people will take the time to discover what else their city has to offer, beyond the shallow corporate chains that seem to be everywhere!
-Josie Charrington

Welcome to Foggy Bottom...

…the home of George Washington University, various government buildings, the World Bank, The Watergate and residents. At first glance it appears to be a place with an unusually high amount of Starbucks and eateries that are only open Monday thru Friday, meant for servicing the employees who return home on the evenings and weekends. People laugh when the word ‘Bohemia’ is associated with Foggy Bottom because it seems like one of the most stereotypical areas filled with student after student or countless people in suits. However, take a second look at that eatery, grocery store or restaurant/bar you just passed – there’s more to it. They’re not all franchises. Amongst them are independently run businesses with a purpose behind them – besides gaining profit. These other stores are the ones that we, Devon Guralnick and Josie Charrington, will be exploring.