Mike Franklin is all about Hyattsville

An entrepreneur and family man is deeply rooted in community.

By May Wildman Not only does he live within walking distance of his iconic, self-titled restaurant, Mike Franklin has lived in Hyattsville for more than 20 years, raising his two daughters here. He is the chairman of the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation and his wife, Debra, works as a math lecturer just down the street at the University of Maryland, College Park. “My business and my personal life are all kind of intertwined because I’m the guy with the two-block commute who knows everybody in town,” he said. Franklin, 53, graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis with a degree in classics. He intended to eventually go to graduate school, but ended up traveling around the region as a toy salesman for 19 years. He and his …

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PHOTO OF THE DAY: Fall Bloom in Hyattsville

Check out this gorgeous blossom outside Hyattsville's Busboys and Poets.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY: Can You Imagine?

Here's a photo from one of Hyattsville's culture centers.

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Patch's Guide to Hyattsville's Busboys and Poets

Ever wonder where to sit? How to order? Here are the answers.

Patch patrons Busboys and Poets often—probably at least three times a week. By now, we should know how the place works. But after three months of sitting, ordering, working and watching, we still didn’t get it. We thought you might like to know just how to make the most of your Busboys experience. Seating Hyattsville’s Busboys and Poets has several options: Watching/Reading/Working The dining area has a big screen TV with movies and documentaries playing on it pretty much all the time. At the bar you can watch the news, a game or commentary on the TV. Busboys doesn’t provide reading material, but you can bring your own book or newspaper to pore over. The café area is best for this because there are a lot of comfortable chairs there. If you…

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Busboys & Poets Owner Balks At Montgomery's Scrapped War Spending Resolution

Andy Shallal says he won't consider Bethesda and Silver Spring locations following Montgomery's withdrawal of controversial resolution, the Washington City Paper reports.

Following controversy surrounding the county council’s scrapping of a non-binding resolution petitioning Congress to direct war spending to social programs, Busboys and Poets owner Anas “Andy” Shallal says he won’t consider opening new locations in Montgomery County, the Washington City Paper reports. The peace activist, who opened a Hyattsville location this summer, told the City Paper he had been eyeing the closed Borders Books & Music space in Silver Spring and has also been approached by developers to open in Bethesda. Now, he says, those considerations are off the table. Critics of the resolution said supporting cuts in military spending could have a negative affect on the local economy in Montgomery County. In Bethesda, Lockheed …

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Busboys Dedicates Performance Space to Historian Howard Zinn

The new Hyattsville restaurant gave a nod to the written word.

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Five Things You Need To Know Today (the Hy-Five)

About postcards, street trees and Summer Jam!

I’m lifting my measuring spoon because today’s another Friday, Hyattsville! Here are five things you need to know today:   1. The City of Hyattsville is compiling a list of possible locations for future planting of street trees. Check out the specs on the city’s website. 2. It’s Summer Jam night! This month JP McDermott and Western Bop takes the stage covering tunes from artists like Buddy Holly (“That’ll be the day-hey-hey that I die!”) and Johnny Cash. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. 3. Check out the Postcards For Peace art contest at Busboys and Poets. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 19. Drop ‘em off at the Hyattsville location or Shirlington. 4. Have you seen the Anacostia Watershed Society’s photo journal? You can find is …

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Bites Nearby: Busboys And Poets

Busboys’ signature serving is sweet potato fries. They’re soft, a bit sweet and a bit salty and just perfect served with sour cream and chives. There really is no better food this side of the Mississippi.

BUSBOYS AND POETS—Let's face it—there’s no way Busboys and Poets could’ve possibly lived up to Hyattsville’s expectations. Even with more than five years of preparation, there was just no way the servers, shakers and chefs could dish to our desires. But somehow, they do. Busboys’ signature serving is sweet potato fries. They’re soft, a bit sweet and a bit salty and just perfect served with sour cream and chives. There really is no better food this side of the Mississippi. But if you’re in the mood for a whole meal, try the falafel sandwich, cut into sections and stacked high with meat, veggies and glazed with tahini sauce. Just yum! The really great thing about this new place is that you can head over and relax on the sofas with a mug of …

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Danny

7:53 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Nope, I actually did not miss your point. I simply disagree with your assessment. You are making an assumption with which I disagree. I have no special knowledge of EB's sales figures, but I believe they've been advertising that deal approximately twice a week on their Facebook page since shortly after they opened, and almost certainly before BB&P and Yes! opened.   more ›

Week In Review: Buildings, Fire and Priorities.

Here's a roundup of what happened in Patch land last week.

Here’s a quick look at what happened this past week:   Monday: Chef Rasheed Abdurrahman of Wild Onion was featured at the “Buy Local Challenge” on July 21 in Annapolis. The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department snuffed out a blaze that tore through a home on 43rd Place.   Tuesday: Hyattsville police gave tips about how residents can avoid being robbed. The Hyattsville City Council heard from an engineer who offered an update on city-owned buildings.   Wednesday: This week’s Talk About Towns question featured the topic of youth curfews. Police made an arrest in the June 30 stabbing death of Leonard Raynod Smith-Matthews.   Thursday: Columnist Tanecia Britt wrote about relationships and Elevation Burger. Parts of University Town Center go up…

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VIDEO: Andy Shallal Explains Rivers Mural At New Busboys And Poets In Hyattsville

Busboys owner talks about his artwork honoring among others, Howard Zinn.

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