Dawna Cobb

In the more than twenty years that she and her husband have lived in Charles Village, Dawna Cobb says they've seen significant change. Some of it is a direct result of Cobb's love for and involvement in the neighborhood.  The Painted Ladies of Charles Village contest that transformed the neighborhood from its brown-painted past into a vibrant, recognizable destination was the brainchild of Cobb and a group of neighbors. The contest challenged residents to paint their houses in bright, contrasting, cheerful colors. "I'm just blown away by how colorful it is now," she says.

Improved relations with neighbor Johns Hopkins have made a big difference too, and the neighborhood continues to improve. Cobb mentions the positive changes around two major streets, Howard and Maryland, that are historically less well cared for. "As the houses become more expensive on Guilford and Able, people are moving to the other parts of the neighborhood and fixing up their houses and making beautiful gardens and painting."

Cobb and her husband originally bought in Charles Village because it was where they could get the most for their money. Now "we like it because we can walk to things that we need. We like it because we like the people here. It's a real eclectic, diverse in every sense of the word place. We love it."

Eat and Drink

"Let's start with Donna's. My friends and I go there at least two or three times a month on Friday nights. We know the chef, we know Donna, we know the wait staff, and they're just really friendly. The food is awesome," according to Cobb

"Eddie's market is also a really great resource in the neighborhood for shopping and getting to-go food and groceries and they do home delivery, even. My son worked there as a cashier. They employ kids from the neighborhood. Eddie's is a really good neighbor."

"Another really great place is Carma's Cafe. Oh my god, it's tiny. Everything is homemade. The coffee's great," she adds.

Shopping

"One of the great things about living here," Cobb reports, "is that I know the owners of all the stores. I go in there all the time and I know them and some of them know me by name."

Not only do the store owners know Cobb, she can list most of their stores. "Down the street is Sam's Bagels. Jane is the lady that runs that. There's also a Chinese restaurant, and there's a fast food kind of place, and across the street is Video Americain. There's a drycleaner on 32nd and St Paul where I go and get all my shoes repaired. I think it's called the St. Paul Street Cleaners. So on just that one block, you can get good food, you can get videos, you can get your groceries, you can get dry cleaning and your clothes fixed, your shoes repaired. That's not even going to the next block!"

Though the addition of an Ace Hardware nearby is exciting for the neighborhood, some of the other developments are less favorable. "Where Record and Tape Traders was is now a 7-11, which I was not at all happy about." she says.

"It's pretty understated, as far as signage, but I've picked up my share of 7-11 trash. The other thing is, on St. Paul Street there's a minimart, the University Minimart. Those guys have been there forever. When new businesses come we want to know that the ones we like and support aren't going to be hurt by some chain or franchise coming in."

Seven days a week

In a neighborhood with so much to offer, there's something to do every night of the week if you want, Cobb says.

"Well, you know, I'm not in the happy hour stage of life, but that makes me think of food specials. Gertrude's at the BMA is really excellent and Tuesday nights they used to do a $10 night." Though select entrees are now $12, Gertrude's special still exists. "The farmers' market is awesome," she adds, referring to the Waverly Farmers' market. "That's on Saturdays."