Retail

Today in Banks Taking Over Retail Spaces – Circle Wine & Liquors

By Prince Of Petworth


5501 Connecticut Ave, NW

Thanks to Margaret for sending a Nextdoor posting from the local ANC rep:

“Longtime neighbor (since at least 1959) in Chevy Chase DC, Circle Wine & Liquors, will with great regret be closing their 5501 Connecticut Ave. location at the end of December. Their 11 year lease was not renewed and instead the new tenant will be yet another bank (our 7th bank or ATM branch kiosk) in a 4 block stretch in our neighborhood, this time it is Chase Bank. Reportedly, Willco the property owner, negotiated the new lease with Chase for double the rent that Circle was paying thus pricing them out of the market. Circle, which has been in existence as a small business enterprise under different owners, has been a welcome mainstay in the area, and under their current ownership they have also donated thousands of dollars every year to neighboring schools. Circle has been an anchor store for the 5501 Conn. Ave, strip which includes: Blue 44, Fishery Seafood Market, Relaxed Nails & Spa, and C&C Custom Cleaners. All of these are also on Willco property. One wonders if newly negotiated leases for these other establishments might also be in jeopardy when their time runs out resulting in more losses of small business owners.

jerry malitz
Commissioner, ANC3G-05″

I will also miss their awesome mural/ode to the old Griffith Stadium: (more…)

End of an Era – The Old Laundromat across from the Convention Center Closed

By Prince Of Petworth


1120 9th Street, NW

Tom’s Chinese Laundry was located here for, approximately, forever. Their yelp reviews were through the roof positive. Truly the end of an era.

They stayed open when they were surrounded by boarded up buildings for years. Updates when we learn what becomes of the space. When I peaked in the door it was getting completely gutted. (more…)

Liquor Store Returning to 5th and K

By Prince Of Petworth


5th and K Street, NW

Thanks to Phil for sending: “New signage up at what used to be Capital City Liquors on corner of 5th and K. Still looks a few weeks away from opening. Same owners as folks who own Eye Street Liquors on I.” (more…)

Conte’s Bike Shop Confirms It’s Taking over The Bike Rack space in Logan

By Prince Of Petworth


1412 Q Street, NW via The Bike Rack

Scuttlebutt confirmed!! From Conte’s Bike Shop:

“We are proud to announce the opening of our 14th location off 14th Street NW in Washington, DC. The shop will likely look familiar to many in the #BikeDC world, and for good reason: for the past 13 years, this space housed our friends @bikerackdc. The Logan Circle community of cyclists is among the most vibrant, active, and passionate we’ve ever encountered, and we are excited to get to know you and your bikes as we get settled in our new home.

We hope you’ll come by and say hello in the coming days, we’d love to introduce ourselves – although we would imagine you will recognize many of the faces you’ll see.” (more…)

Continuing Coverage of Chinatown’s Bed Bath & Beyond Coming Closure Continues

By Prince Of Petworth


709 7th Street, NW

Ken reports from the front lines:

“I went in to get a few things and while I was checking out, I was chatting with the sales clerk. She told me that the store won’t actually close until June 1st and that they will continue to get shipments of items until that time, but it would mostly be clearance or other reduced items. She described it kind of like a BBB clearance center. She also said that she’s heard a lot of scuttlebutt regarding what would happen to the space, (more…)

Oh No, The Bike Rack is Closing After 13 Years in Logan Circle Today

By Prince Of Petworth


1412 Q Street, NW via The Bike Rack

What the hell is happening?!?! Ugh. Thanks to Jeff and Sarah for the heads up. The Bike Rack posts on their Facebook:

“After 13 amazing years Bike Rack is shutting it’s doors today.

Thank you everyone that has stepped foot in our store. Thank you everyone that has come on any of our rides. Thank you every single customer we have ever had. And thank you to all of our employees past end present for making the Bike Rack what it is. (more…)

Scuttlebutt: I hear who is probably taking over the Bed Bath & Beyond Space in Chinatown and, well, it’s not a bank!

By Prince Of Petworth


709 7th Street, NW

Earlier this week we broke the news that the Bed Bath & Beyond/World Market would be closing in Chinatown. Ed. Note: One reader hears they could remain open until April. Anyway, I’m now hearing some scuttlebutt from a very good source who says a Target may be taking the space. This is unconfirmed at the moment but I give it an 85% chance of happening. STAY TUNED.

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