Marcus Wallace sits on the stoop outside his DC row house located in the coveted Bloomingdale neighborhood day after day, shooting the breeze with friends and neighbors. "I know everybody around here," says Wallace, 62, "I've lived in this neighborhood for 25 years and I can't imagine living anywhere else."
The Bloomingdale neighborhood is one of the most sought after areas in the Northwest Washington, DC.
Bloomingdale is located in Ward 5, on the outskirts of Shaw bounded by 2nd Street NW on the west and North Capital Street NW on the east, and stretches from Channing Place and Bryant Street NW on the north and Florida Avenue NW on the south. Originally located outside of the boundaries of Washington, DC, Bloomingdale was a part of what was supposed to be a rural area that would serve as a way into the city and for train yards.
The area began to change near the turn of the twentieth century beginning with the building of churches and paving the streets of Bloomingdale. Soon after homes began being built in the area and with the building of homes came the establishment of schools. In 1904 The Gage School was built at 2nd and V Streets. The area has remained a residential area for over 100 years.
With its proximity to Howard, Bloomingdale has become the "it" area for students to seek housing. Meaghan Johnson, senior public relations major, and a new resident of the neighborhood was really excited when she found her home in Bloomingdale, "This is the only area that I wanted to live in. Besides its closeness to Howard, the neighborhood is so nice! There are a lot of students in the area so it makes going out very convenient."
Wallace enjoys that students live in the area, "Every Howard student that I have met living in this neighborhood are always respectful and friendly. The Bloomingdale neighborhood is very welcoming to students."
Aside from the great neighbors, Bloomingdale has much to offer. Some of the most popular places in the neighborhood are Big Bear Café and Windows Café and Market. Both are staples of Bloomingdale and very popular amongst residents. Another attraction to the area is the weekly farmers market that is held outside of Big Bear Café on R Street between Florida Avenue and First Streets.
Area resident Allison Jabaly says, "My favorite thing about living here are Windows [Café] and the farmers market, they have so much fresh produce! There's another great corner grocery called Timor Bodega. It's a great organic grocery store." Jabaly, 26, has lived on Rhode Island Avenue NW for three years. "I really could see my husband and me raising our kids here. It's such a nice area and the people are great and it's really safe here."
A hidden gem of Bloomingdale is Crispus Atticus Park. Located between U Street and V Streets, the park can only be accessed through alleyways which are known to area residents. The park is privately owned by the residents surrounding the park, but has been made a public area open to area residents.
With all that Bloomingdale has to offer, it's easy to see why people want to live there. Wallace said, "There's a great sense of community in Bloomingdale that I never want to leave. I've got everything I need here, my friends, family, and great neighbors."
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