South Block Opens 26th DC Location in Tenleytown July 11
South Block Açaí & Juice Bar opens its 26th location in Washington DC's Tenleytown neighborhood on July 11, 2026. Here's what locals need to know.
In brief
South Block Açaí & Juice Bar opens its 26th location in Washington DC — this time in Tenleytown — on July 11, 2026. The DMV-bred chain, known for its açaí bowls, smoothies, and pressed juices, has grown into one of the region's most recognizable health-food brands, and its Upper Northwest debut signals continued confidence in DC's neighborhood retail corridors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
South Block's 26th location opens in Tenleytown, DC on July 11, 2026.
The brand is DMV-born and one of the fastest-growing independent juice and açaí concepts in the Mid-Atlantic.
Tenleytown's proximity to American University and its health-conscious residential base makes it a prime demographic fit.
The expansion reflects broader momentum in DC's Upper Northwest dining corridor, from Wisconsin Avenue to Nebraska Avenue NW.
South Block now operates across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia — a regional footprint few local restaurant concepts can match.
South Block's 26-Location Empire: How a DMV Brand Became a Regional Force
South Block didn't arrive in the DMV — it was born here. Founded in Arlington, Virginia, the brand built its identity around clean ingredients, customizable bowls, and a design language that speaks directly to the region's fitness-oriented, socially conscious consumer. Reaching 26 locations is a milestone most independent restaurant concepts never achieve, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape where commercial lease costs across DC have remained stubbornly elevated.
According to RestaurantNews.com, the Tenleytown opening marks the brand's continued push deeper into Washington DC proper, following a pattern of strategic neighborhood selection that prioritizes walkability, transit access, and communities where wellness spending is already embedded in daily life. South Block's expansion playbook — pick the right block, build the right vibe — has proven repeatable at scale.
For context on just how competitive the DC health-food market has become, the WDCM Restaurant Power Rankings have tracked the rapid proliferation of açaí, smoothie, and juice concepts across every major DC neighborhood. South Block's ability to hold market share while simultaneously expanding sets it apart from regional competitors who've struggled with brand dilution.
Tenleytown: Why This Upper Northwest Neighborhood Makes Strategic Sense
Tenleytown sits at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue NW and Albemarle Street NW, anchored by the Tenleytown-AU Metro station on the Red Line. The neighborhood draws a mixed demographic — American University students and faculty, established homeowners from the Spring Valley and Friendship Heights corridors, and young professionals who've priced out of Columbia Heights and Shaw. That convergence is exactly what South Block's menu is engineered to serve.
American University's enrollment hovers around 13,000 students, many of whom live within walking distance of the new South Block location. The university has also made public health and sustainability central to its campus identity — a brand alignment that South Block benefits from without spending a dollar on sponsorship. DC's broader health and wellness economy, which the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has flagged as a growth sector, continues to attract investment along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor.
Upper Northwest has seen a quiet but significant retail resurgence over the past two years, with independent food concepts filling spaces left by pandemic-era closures. South Block's arrival in Tenleytown is both a vote of confidence in the neighborhood and a signal that the brand sees room to run in DC's less saturated zip codes. Track more on how DC neighborhoods are reshaping their commercial fabric at the WDCM DC Neighborhood Market Report.
The Competitive Landscape: Açaí and Juice in a Crowded DC Market
South Block doesn't operate in a vacuum. National chains including Playa Bowls and Tropical Smoothie Cafe have pushed aggressively into the DMV, and local competitors have multiplied across Adams Morgan, U Street, and Capitol Hill. What South Block has maintained — and what competitors have struggled to replicate — is a neighborhood-native credibility that resonates with DC consumers who actively resist chains they perceive as imported culture.
That authenticity has commercial value. A 2024 NPR report on healthy eating trends noted that regional and local health-food brands consistently outperform national franchises on customer loyalty metrics in urban markets — a dynamic South Block has capitalized on through community partnerships, local sourcing language, and a store design that feels distinctly DMV rather than corporate.
The brand's 26-location count also positions it at an inflection point. Restaurant industry analysts typically identify 25-30 locations as the threshold where regional concepts must decide between maintaining boutique identity or pursuing franchise-scale growth. How South Block navigates that decision — and whether Tenleytown performs as projected — will shape the brand's next chapter. Follow the broader DC business and startup landscape at the WDCM DC Startup Ecosystem Index.
Why This Matters in Washington
Washington DC's restaurant economy carries political weight that goes beyond food. The District's small business community is a perennial subject of City Council legislation, Mayor Muriel Bowser's economic development agenda, and ongoing debates about commercial rent, zoning flexibility, and neighborhood character. When a DMV-born brand like South Block expands to its 26th location — all of them within the metro region — it becomes a proof point that local business can scale without leaving.
Tenleytown specifically sits in Ward 3, one of DC's most politically engaged and economically stable wards. Ward 3 Council Member Matt Frumin has been vocal about attracting quality independent retail to neighborhood corridors over chain displacement. South Block's profile — independent, health-focused, community-adjacent — fits that political narrative precisely. In a city where every ribbon-cutting has an audience at the Wilson Building, the Tenleytown opening carries more civic resonance than it might elsewhere. For more on the power dynamics shaping DC's commercial corridors, visit the WDCM DC Politics Guide 2026.
What to Watch Next
South Block's trajectory raises several forward-looking questions for DC's dining and business communities. Will the brand push past 30 locations within the DMV, or begin looking at markets beyond the Mid-Atlantic? Does the Tenleytown performance influence whether competitors like Playa Bowls accelerate their own DC-proper expansion? And as commercial real estate pressure on Wisconsin Avenue continues, does South Block's arrival signal a broader wave of health-concept retail moving into Upper Northwest?
Watch whether South Block announces additional DC locations through the remainder of 2026. The brand's pace — roughly four to six new locations per year over the past several years — suggests the 30-location milestone is a realistic near-term target. Keep tracking DC's evolving restaurant power landscape at the WDCM Restaurant Power Rankings and follow the latest Power Moves reshaping the capital's economy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does South Block Tenleytown open? South Block's Tenleytown location opens on July 11, 2026.
Where exactly is South Block Tenleytown located? The new South Block is in Tenleytown, in the Upper Northwest DC neighborhood anchored by Wisconsin Avenue NW near the Tenleytown-AU Metro station on the Red Line.
How many South Block locations are there now? The Tenleytown opening marks South Block's 26th location. The brand operates across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Is South Block a DC-born brand? South Block was founded in Arlington, Virginia, making it a DMV-native concept — a key part of its brand identity and competitive differentiation in the DC market.
What does South Block serve? South Block specializes in açaí bowls, smoothies, pressed juices, and related health-focused food and beverage items.
Why is South Block opening in Tenleytown? Tenleytown's proximity to American University, its health-conscious residential demographic, and its Red Line Metro access make it a strong strategic fit for South Block's customer profile.
Reporting drawn from: RestaurantNews.com. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
