Retail

Leica Camera Store Still Coming to Penn Quarter?

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in Sept. 2011 a press release was issued saying:

Casual French eatery Le Pain Quotidien and exclusive retailer of photographic equipment Leica Camera, Inc. will soon fill the last available retail bays at 975 F Street, NW, in DC’s East End.

The Leica Camera space is also expected to open before the end of this year, and will include a product showroom, image gallery, and a studio where customers will have the opportunity to try out the company’s finest cameras. The 1,837 square foot boutique will be Leica’s first stand-alone store in the country, although the product line has been preferred by White House photographers and other prominent photojournalists for decades.

In Nov. 2011 the Le Pain Quotidien opened at the corner of 10th and F St, NW. But walking past 975 F St, NW this weekend, while Le Pain bustled, there was still only papered windows next store teasing me with “Leica Store Washington DC”.

I know the trend, lately, has been for camera stores to close or downsize but I still have hope for the Leica store.

Sapore Oil and Vinegar Coming to Capitol Hill in March 2012

By Prince Of Petworth

Sapore Oil & Vinegar is coming to 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in the former Quinzos space in March 2012. Their Facebook page says:

Welcome to Sapore Oil & Vinegar, Washington DC’s first gourmet Oil & Vinegar shop to offer over 24 premium Extra Virgin Olive oils and Balsamic Vinegars, single sourced and flavor infused, plus Sea & Mineral Salts, hand crafted Spice Blends and Pastas. We are located in Historic Capitol Hill, around the corner from Eastern Market. Sapore means “taste, or flavor” in Italian, and we encourage you to taste any of our products before you buy. From the most passionate foodie to the reluctant cook, we have something to make your next dish delicious!

Our mission is to offer the public the freshest, most high quality oils and vinegars at a reasonable price, while providing education and cooking ideas to make their purchase most enjoyable.

Sounds like this could be very cool.

Lovely Yogurt Coming to U Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week I found out that Frozen Yogurt was coming to 1017 U St, NW but I didn’t know if it was going to be FroZenYo or someone else. A coming soon sign for Lovely Yogurt just went up. Couldn’t find anything on them online so this is likely their first store.

Ritz Camera Downsizing Downtown as Retail Juggling Continues on 1700 Block of L Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in October 2011 we learned that Verizon Wireless was moving next door to the former Spezie restaurant at 1742 L St, NW. This weekend I noticed signs went up announcing who will be moving into the former Verizon spaces. Turns out it will be a MyEyeDr:

and a Ritz Camera:

Of course there is already a large Ritz Camera at the corner of 18th and L St, NW:

When I spoke to folks at the corner Ritz location they thought the current store would be closed and they’d be moved into the new space by the end of March. The new space is about half the size of the current space. The downsizing of this Ritz follows the news of Penn Camera’s bankruptcy and closing not too far away at 1015 18th Street, NW.

And Here is Where Tasti D-Lite is Going to be in DC USA in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

This week we looked at where the DSW and Lime Fresh will be located in DC USA in Columbia Heights. Today we’ll look at Tasti D-Lite. We heard a Tasti D-Lite was coming to Columbia Heights back in Aug. 2011. They also have a Dupont location open at 2029 NW P St, NW. The Columbia Heights location will be on Irving Street between Panera and Panda Express. It also requires a complete build out so keep an eye out for a late spring/early summer opening.

Dear PoPville – Anyone Know What’s Going on at Boveda in Mt. Pleasant?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Boveda Tribal Arts is NEVER open. (3165 Mt. Pleasant St. NW 2nd Floor).I live in the neighborhood and swing by a couple times a week (going on 10 months now) to see if anyone is around. I have tried calling, leaving messages, email….everything. No one in the hood seems to know what is going on.

I want to purchase a ring that I spotted in the store over a year ago. I must have it and I am kicking myself for not buying it at the time!
Any ideas?

I stopped by earlier in the week but was the store was locked. I asked next door and they thought the owner may have been visiting family in Chicago but was not 100% sure. Anyone else know why Boveda seems to be closed in Mt. Pleasant?

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