Mandalay groundbreaking last Monday

Mandalay Restaurant is coming to Shaw!
Groundbreaking took place Monday, June 14, 2010
1901 9th Street NW, Corner of 9th & P Streets NW
(next to Queen of Sheba Restaurant across from Shiloh Baptist Church)

This was one of the most exciting events we've had in Shaw in a long time, clearly the highlight of the week for many local residents, business owners, activists and leaders. The event was also an opportunity for attendees to sample some of the amazing cuisine the restaurant currently serves, but we were informed that they are always reinventing the menu, so there will always be something interesting and new for the restaurants future regular customers.

The greatest part about events like this is that they have the potential to spark even more development in Shaw. More detail noted previously on the CCCA blog and here.

"This will kick off a series of major groundbreakings this year. The Howard Theatre and Renaissance Project (formerly Broadcast Center One) will break ground in late August, CityMarket at O will break ground in September, and the Marriott Marquis Convention Center should follow in the fall.
— Alexander M. Padro, Executive Director of Shaw Main Streets and Shaw Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.

The list of special guests:

• Event Sponsor: Shaw Main Streets Executive Director and ANC2C01 Commissioner Alex Padro
• Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans
• At Large Councilmember Kwame Brown
• Bridget Bean, District Director, Washington Office of the US Small Business Administration
• Hashim Hassan, President of Inle Development
• Aung Myint, Owner of Mandalay DC and future resident (he'll be living in the top floors of the development above the resturant)
• Also on hand, representatives from the Walter E Washington Convention Center and Roadside Development

At Large Councilmember, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development (and DC Council Chair candidate) Kwame Brown spoke with Seth Hajbi, of Red Toque Café at 6th & R Street NW, and assured Seth that he would help the restaurant overcome delays and roadblocks.

Mr Brown, here with the owners of Queen of Sheba Restaurant next to the Manalay site, also spoke with other local business owners and developers who all seemed to be excited about their new neighbor.