Compass Coffee Aiming for June Opening

1535 7th Street NW, the location of Compass Coffee

With the coverage from the Washington Post, there is not a whole lot to write that's new, about Compass Coffee and its endeavor to to renovate/remodel there location on 7th Street in Shaw. The latest piece of the saga has the BZA rescheduling a hearing to listen to Compass Coffee' request for an exception, following a failure to apply for the proper licensing for the quantity of seating that the Co-owners Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez want. The error, and this happens fairly often in DC, is that Compass Coffee applied as a Cafe, in DC that is defined as a 'prepared food shop' and has a limitation of 18 seats. They will now need to request an exception. BZA require neighborhood discussion/acceptance for all aspects of a business, this is normally approached with public 'postings' on the property in preparation for public hearings.
In a letter to the BZA in late February, Harrison Suarez stated that

"I must admit, when I received news that Compass Coffee had been zoned as a prepared foods shop...I was shocked. The limitation is a poor use of our large café, it works against the prospects of our small business, and most importantly, it undermines the vision we have of creating a gathering place and cornerstone of the community."

According to an article by "The District Source" and the BZA, this presents no more than a small bump in the process. Compass Coffee has overwhelming neighborhood support.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any problems with the requested relief,” said BZA Chair Lloyd Jordan. But, “It’s important that the neighborhood and community have proper notice”

The board noted that it had not received letters of support from neighbors, concerning the seating, and it preferred to allow the process to work as it is designed. Jordan did move the date of the rescheduled hearing from June 17 to June 3 so the board will hear the request for relief sooner.

Harrison Suarez apologized saying "it was his first time going through this sort of process" and asked the BZA "if any exception could be made because the project has strong support from the surrounding community."  ANC 6E has voted in favor of the project. Suarez said "the team hopes to have construction wrapped up in the next three weeks."
In a letter to the BZA Board,  Suarez detailed the vision of the business that Compass hopes to attain:

 “Our vision is to create a first rate coffee roaster and cafe in the space. It will be a place for the community to gather, to meet friends, to make new ones. It will serve coffee, tea, and freshly baked goods of the highest quality, in a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere.  What we have found is that unlike other cities of Washington’s size, the District doesn’t  yet have a premier coffee company.  We’re the ones to create it.”

I think its pretty safe to bet that Compass Coffee will open sometime in June, and be welcomed by the Shaw community.

Sources: Washington Post, District Source, DC BZA.