Retail

Levi’s Store Closing Jan. 26th, Space becoming a Kit and Ace “men’s and women’s technical cashmere attire”

By Prince Of Petworth

levis
3263 M Street, NW

And the whole store is 60% off I got some sweet deals yesterday when I was following up on the Five Guys closing. So if you see someone clad head to toe in denim taking photos around town… An employee at the store told me their last day will be the 26th.

From a press release:

“Cutting-edge fashion is coming to Georgetown. EastBanc, Inc. and Jamestown LP announced that Kit & Ace, the innovative clothier of men’s and women’s technical cashmere attire, signed a 10-year lease to occupy the 6,500-square-foot retail space at 3263 M Street, NW. Located in the Levi’s Store retail space, this will be Kit & Ace’s third DC-area location with plans to occupy the Georgetown site in first quarter 2016 with a grand opening slated for this summer. Jennifer Price of KLNB Retail represented Kit & Ace in the deal. (more…)

The Olive Oil Boom of 2015 continues into 2016

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_4607
3414 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Cupcakes, Frozen Yogurt, Doughnuts, Olive Oil remains hot in the District! Next up – Ah Love Oil & Vinegar – coming to the new Cathedral Commons development next to the Starbucks on Wisconsin.

Their website says:

“Cary Kelly first ventured to Europe in 1979 and was awakened to a lifestyle based on fresh flavors, local and natural ingredients, and simple recipes; all common in European homes. Her souvenir was three bottles of fruity, green Italian olive oil and a hunger for fresh, wholesome foods full of flavor.

Cary has continued to feed that love of fresh wholesome cuisine as she has traveled the world. Her favorite region is the Mediterranean, the heart of olive production. Olive oil, like wine, changes with the soil, temperature and milling of its country of origin and is meant to be experienced to find what most pleases your palate and suits your recipe. Balsamic vinegar, from Modena, Italy, is a rich, sweet and pungent elixir that bursts forth with flavor without adding calories. Authentic balsamic vinegar from Modena is not an easy find; most grocery store offerings are colored with caramel and weak and thin in flavor. It’s possible you’ve never tasted the real thing. You’ll fall in love.

Ah love invites you into a warm Mediterranean country farmhouse environment showcasing flavorful foods made only by small-batch producers. We like to know who is behind our food offerings; to touch the hands that made the food. We seek out small producers who make food bursting with fresh flavor, use natural ingredients, and design their delectables with integrity, honesty and creativity. Come taste!”

They currently have locations in Virginia and Union Market.

Side note: Allure Spa is coming too…

IMG_4606

Town & Country Market Closing for Renovation at end of the Month “Won’t even recognize it when it was done”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Town & Country Market back in the day at 823 Upshur Street, NW during Domku’s white picket fence period

A reader reports:

“You know the mini market on Upshur between Domku and the book store, the Ethiopian gentleman who owns the place told me tonight that at the end of January, they will be closing for a month in order to remodel the store. He said I wouldn’t even recognize it when it was done. I didn’t ask if he planned on removing the the bullet proof glass.”

Ed. Note: Back in 2008 Family Foods removed their glass partition but it only lasted a few weeks before they put it back up. Hopefully in 2016, if Town & Country does decide to take theirs down, it can be down for good.

Update: Well this is randomly awesome – thanks to a commenter for posting this 1926 photo of Upshur Street from the Library of Congress:

1926
823 Upshur Street, NW

French pastry shop, Un Je Ne Sais Quoi, opening soon in former Hello Cupcake space in Dupont

By Prince Of Petworth

bakery
1361 Connecticut Ave, NW

Thanks to a reader for sending these photos announcing the replacement at the recently closed Hello Cupcake space in Dupont – Un Je Ne Sais Quoi, a French pastry shop.

Merveilleux is:

“a small cake that originated in Belgium and is now found in France and some U.S. cities. It consists of a sandwich of two light meringues welded with whipped cream which has been covered with whipped cream and dusted with chocolate shavings. A candied cherry sometimes decorates the cake.”

Updates when an opening date is announced.

Who Would You Like to See Take Over the Seasonal Pantry Space in May?

By Prince Of Petworth

seasonal_pantry_shaw
1314 ½ Ninth Street, NW

Yesterday we spoke about Seasonal Pantry’s planned departure in April. Lisa writes in the comments:

“I’m the landlord. What would the neighborhood like in this quirky space? We’ll put up a sign and contact info soon.”

Via Email Lisa adds:

“It’s 3 staggered levels with an option for a 4th. Each is approx 300 sf. There is the storefront level, a lower English Basement level with back door, a lower basement (beneath the storefront) with sinks etc, and the option is another space with a window that opens onto the back yard and a door into the hallway. There is no hood nor can there be one. We’re open for almost anything that can make itself at home is this quirky space. Would like tenant to appeal not only to the neighborhood but give the Cambria Suites Hotel visitors another reason to not hop into a cab the second they exit the hotel.”

Also, keep in mind all this (and more across the street too) are opening soon nearby. Think an Upshur Street Books could do well here? Or stick with food?

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