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221 Upshur Street, NW

The former House of Falafel space has been leased by the folks from Gordy’s Pickle Jar. According to the Petworth listserv it will only be used for the commercial kitchen and won’t be for retail purposes. As a pickle fantatic – I for one think we should lobby for some kinda retail component!

Update: The folks from Gordy’s say the Petworth listserv is not accurate. We will update with more details as soon as we learn the complete plans.

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Holy transformations Vol. 76 – 1728 14th Street, NW – the former International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers building and soon to be home of West Elm.  It’s located between crown pawnbrokers and the former Redeem boutique and future Logan Hardware store.

West Elm currently has a DC location in Georgetown at 3333 M Street, NW.

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1728 14th Street, NW

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previous building at 1728 14th Street, NW in 2012


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Located in the Cornerstone building of Monroe Street Market on Monroe Street, NE between Michigan Ave and 7th

With word of more bookstores closing it’s nice to hear of one opening.

From an earlier press release from Catholic University:

“The store will feature 14,000 square feet of retail space on two levels, a 44-seat Starbucks-branded café, and designated areas for Catholic University textbook and school spirit sales.”

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11 Dupont Circle, NW

Some incredibly big scuttlebutt was reported by Elevation DC earlier this week:

“The store’s website [Mrs. Greens natural food store] had (now removed) a “Coming Soon” page for a Dupont Circle location at 11 Dupont Circle NW, the office building on the circle’s northwest corner, with a retail component (where there’s currently a Books-A-Million) on the ground floor. That building was put on the market in May, and the retail space was put on the market around the same time.”

Mrs Greens website says:

“Mrs. Green’s Natural Market is a neighborhood store, passionately committed to clean, natural foods. Dedicated to health and sustainability. Devoted to customers who care deeply about the foods they eat.”

Back in January 2012 I wondered about the long term future of this Books a Million.

Which would you rather have in this location Books a Million or Mrs. Greens?


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1939 12th Street, NW

From a press release:

“Gallagher & Graham Fine Spirits are pleased to announce that they have reached a preliminary agreement with the owner of 1939 12th Street to open an upscale liquor store to serve the needs of the growing U Street Neighborhood. The group filed paperwork with ABRA in late June to open a Class A store and hopes to open its doors in early October.

Gallagher & Graham plans to specialize in craft beers, organic wines and selectively distilled spirits in addition to the staples. “We will carry a few of the name brands but really want to allow Washingtonians to sample some of the great products coming out of this region.” Said Tucker Gallagher, longtime U Street resident.

Gallagher, formerly in corporate marketing, has teamed up with his cousin, John Graham, a newly minted MBA with a focus in entrepreneurship. They are excited for the challenge of serving a changing neighborhood.

Mr. Gallagher came up with the idea while shopping for a dinner party: “The area east of 14th lacks a store where you can buy a fine wine for dinner, a decent craft beer to watch the game or a top shelf liquor to make cocktails. We want to be the first and only stop when U street resident are stocking their bars and wine cellars.”

In addition to serving the needs of the average customer, the duo hope to benefit from the recent trend in artisan products: “We want to help educate our customers about what they are drinking as well as introduce them to new brands. The craft spirit industry has really taken off in recent years and small batch products are in many cases better than the name brands people are familiar with.” added Graham.

“U Street has changed dramatically in the past 10 years and our neighbors are demanding more refined products for a cultivated palate.” Gallagher said “We look forward to providing a variety of quality products for the inquisitive gourmet.”

The store, to be located at 1939 12th Street, hopes to open in October upon approval of ABRA and input from local groups.”

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looking north toward U Street


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3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW

From a press release:

“Four years after founding Baked by Yael, lawyer-turned-baker Yael Krigman is taking her online bakery to the streets. Baked by Yael is opening Washington’s first cakepoppery across from the National Zoo at 3000 Connecticut Avenue. Washingtonians and visitors alike will be able to enjoy award-winning cakepops, bagels, and other preservative-free treats made from scratch at Baked by Yael’s first storefront when it opens later this year.

“I can’t think of a more perfect location,” said Krigman, adding that “not only will I be able to meet many of our customers who have been ordering through our website for years, but visitors to the zoo will be able to enjoy unique and delicious treats in an area that currently has limited options.”

The deal concludes Krigman’s two-year search for retail space. Last summer, Krigman ran a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, raising nearly $75,000 from 669 backers who pre-ordered cakepops to support Krigman’s dream of opening a brick and mortar store.

Krigman’s online cakepop business has been thriving with orders for birthdays, baby showers, corporate events, and even divorce parties. With a storefront, Baked by Yael’s cakepops and other baked goods will be more accessible to those people who don’t want to wait a day or two to satisfy their sweet tooth.

“When the cakepoppery opens, our customers will be able to have the full Baked by Yael experience,” Krigman said. “They’ll smell the cakes in the oven. They’ll watch us dip and decorate the cakepops. They’ll see our cakepops in different shapes and colors and the space will be available for children’s birthday parties.”

The company will also expand its special event and corporate catering business and will continue to sell other products, including its renowned hand-rolled bagels, black & white cookies, and rugelach.”

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Riggs Road NE and South Dakota Avenue NE

Thanks to @lowbraudc for tweeting us the update:

“Blue panels are going up on a designed #walmart”

Walmart’s website says:

“Site Development Program Mixed-use residential and retail 400 rental housing units 118,000 SF Walmart Supercenter 8,700 SF other retail 740 underground parking spaces for residential and retail uses”

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Rendering via Walmart


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