Exterior Description

In S Street Rising, there is a nightclub on S Street, in the Shaw neighborhood of DC, called John’s Place, outside of which the narrator recalls crack exchanges. Today, the building on the corner of 7th and S is Angel’s Share Wines & Liquors, and no discernible trace of a club remains. It is not a large building; it is one story with a relatively narrow entrance, from which it extends further back into 7th street to create a rectangular shape. On the front of the building is the large black sign with “Angel’s Share Wines & Liquors” in curved, white block letters surrounding the store’s logo, a barrel with the wings and halo of an angel. The building’s exterior is made up of dark reddish-brown brick, and besides the glass door entrance and large windows revealing the shelves of bottles inside, the walls are nearly covered in vibrant graffiti art. On the 7th street side wall, there is a large mural-like image of a black male singer, mic in hand, and to his left is a string of brilliant streaks of colored lines and arrows, woven in with cheerful images of music speakers and pencils. The colorful street art exudes an uplifting mood surrounding themes of creativity and innovation in the artistic space. Indeed, the building does not necessarily appear to be reminiscent of a 1980s nightclub or a drug epidemic, but subtle elements of the location seem to illustrate certain aspects of its historical context that may have lingered. The area appears to be a predominantly black, lower to middle class neighborhood, with rowhouses lining 7th street and other commercial establishments on S. It does not appear to be a particularly “bad” or dangerous area per se, but it surely does not cater to the wealthier demographics that inhabit more supposedly high-end areas of DC, like Georgetown (where the M Street is lined with designer brand retail stores). There are a few multiple-story office buildings and other glass-happy structures alike that suggest new construction or renovation in recent years, yet the humble liquor store on the corner of 7th and S, while transformed into a new establishment, still seems to harbor the spirit and history of another era.