Undaunted by the Great Depression that gripped Washington in the 1930’s, Tom O’Donnell’s business was booming. He leased the Victor Wholesalers building at 1221 E Street and after a complete renovation; it opened in 1941 as his second location. Daughter Janice O’Donnell Edelblut joined the business in 1945.

Whether it was the luck of the Irish or keen perception of the future, the O’Donnell’s purchased the Edgemoor Motor Building on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland as the site of their new suburban location.

I don't think you find yourself owning a building because of the luck of the Irish. Some planning is involved. The downtown location did close, the matchbook to the contrary, in 1960. The suburban location shut down in 2013.

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