Oral History with Sak Pollert (LCCA)

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Sak Pollert, owner of Rice, is a 31-year resident of DC having emigrated from Thailand in 1991 and connected to the gay community through Asian and Friends. “Having the niche with a place to connect to meet people, that made me feel safe. And that’s what that group was about.” He lived in Dupont Circle and considered 16th Street to be the boundary between safe and unsafe streets. Introduced to Studio Theater by a friend, he realized the potential of Logan Circle but nonetheless started his first business “Simply Home” on 18th Street, NW, a store often confused with “Home Rule” on 14th Street, NW. Sak got to know the close community of merchants on 14th Street – Home Rule, Go Mama Go, Vastu, Muleh, Pulp and others. He opened Rice in 2003.

Sak’s interview focuses on the evolution of businesses and restaurants on 14th Street, mourning the loss of the business that opened in the 1990’s. Sak observed, “The word ‘gay neighborhood’ got lost into this modern time… because of technology and apps…. In the past, we felt more of a neighborhood, a gay place, a gay bar, and gay life is because the fabric of society is different than now.” He added, “So that’s how I still feel, ‘Okay, this is still a gay neighborhood, but is there any specific gay business or this or that like in the past? No.’ “

Jeff Donahoe

Not yet transcribed

2:11:09