Elliot C. Williams
Tears were shed in Eckington and across the District when beloved deli Yang Market shut its doors in December 2018. Customers who came for 24-ounce beers, toilet paper, and to chat about My Cousin Vinny—or to eat some of their hearty subs named after the film—lamented the loss of a staple neighborhood spot.
The former “Yang Gang”—not to be confused with 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s supporters—consisted of Peter and Lyndsi Sitcov, who told Eater in 2018 that they closed the shop to “spend more time with friends and family and pursue other things.” They also mentioned that they wanted the new owners to be socially-conscious members of the neighborhood and that they weren’t just going to let anybody come in and take over the corner store that they reopened in 2016.
Enter Kathleen Schroeder and Alex Clarke, the new proprietors of Yang Market, soon to be a hip corner store with a snack bar, selling breakfast sandwiches, chicken wings, grilled cheeses, and Jamaican patties, all of which the couple will make themselves. The market’s list of grab-and-go products from local makers includes baked goods from Hyattsville-based Lyon Bakery, spices from She Peppers, Capital Candy Jar sweets, and Milk Cult ice cream.
The shop will also offer everything you’d expect from a typical convenience store—paper towels, dish soap, dog food— basically, “all the good things you’d find if 7-Eleven and Whole Foods had a baby,” Schroeder says.
The couple says the shop will have a grand opening on February 22 (with food samplings and merch giveaways)—though they’ve changed the opening date a few times already, as the original goal was to open in September. Their lengthy renovation process has included some hiccups, such as a flooded basement and broken freezer, Schroeder says.
“The space needed a little hug,” Schroeder says. “We removed the rest of the bulletproof walkway. We took that down because we really wanted to open the space up. We trust our neighbors, we trust our neighborhood, and we want everyone to feel welcome … So, literally, we were tearing down walls.”
The renovation also led to some surprises: While renovating the floors and vintage ice coolers, the couple found an autographed photo of rapper Ludacris. “I wish I had a story behind it,” Schroeder says. “It was in the store and we don’t know why. If anyone does know the story, please let us know. But he’s staying.” (Update: Lyndsi Sitcov writes: “Yes, Luda! It was a gift for Pete’s 12th birthday. A former coworker of my mother-in-law knew his family and got him this as a present. [Ludacris] watched over the store.”)
The store has been around since the 1940s when it was a District Grocery Stores chain, and it’s changed hands a few times since. Like the Sitcovs before them, Schroeder and Clarke plan to keep the old-school look, including the original coolers and the name from when the Ko family ran the shop.
Schroeder, whose previous experience includes managing stints at Big Bear Cafe, Bistro Bistro, and Bruegger’s Bagels, moved to D.C. in 2007. Clarke grew up in Quantico, Va., but has lived in D.C. for the last 20 years and has a background in branding and marketing. The two were led to the Sitcovs, the previous owners, by a friend, Schroeder says.
“We’re excited that the new folks are keeping the name and bringing the store back to our lovely little neighborhood. It’s been missed, and everyone is excited for the opening,” Lyndi Sitcov wrote to DCist in a Facebook message. “It was important to Pete that we find someone to take over the space that would keep it a store. After all, that’s why we bought the building back in 2016—to prevent it from turning into more condos!”
So far, the new owners have hosted Eckington Parks & Art community meetings, which are focused on creating and maintaining neighborhood green spaces like the forthcoming Tanner Park. Schroeder says she hopes the shop can be a space for neighborhood events, like a recent Halloween party they threw for locals.
Yang Market is located at 138 U St. NE. Soft opening, Jan. 11, grand opening, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; closed on Monday
Note: This story has been updated with info about the signed Ludacris photo from the previous owners.
