[Mintwood-place] The Loss of Another Family Business

[Tatman, DeDe]

Dear Mintwoodlians - 

As I'm sure most of you know, Comet Liquors is closing.  What you may not know is that the 'Comet' sign has been there since 1936 and is pure art deco!  Unfortunately the Drazin's daughter has leased the space to a chain hair salon - Bubbles.  Yes, Columbia Road will have a Bubbles, just like every suburban mall in the area.  That's now 3 chain stores this side of 18th.

But I digress.  My biggest concern at the moment is saving the sign.  I know that side of Columbia Road is considered historic, but Sid, the old rascal, got an exemption on his storefront.  And I don't know if it would apply to the sign anyway.  I would just hate to see the sign end up in some guy's loft in Shaw.  Which is a real possibility; Lisa Drazin has gotten the offer! 

I've been in touch with the Art Deco Society of Washington and the DC Office of Historic Preservation to see what we can come up with.  What I don't want to do is upset Bernice Drazin.  She and her husband have been very good to me over the years, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

I feel that the character our neighborhood is changing fast, and we have to work to preserve what is left.  (Did you know that the building that the IGA is in is art deco?  Check out the façade up top.)

I would welcome each and every suggestion you may have.  I think we need to move quickly on this or one day you may return from work to find the sign gone and a 'Bubbles' logo in its place.

Thanks. 

DeDe Tatman 
The Woodley
d-tatman at nga.gov
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