Retail

Annie’s Ace Hardware Opens in Petworth Feb. 7th

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to everyone who wrote in about the new murals that went up at Annie’s Ace Hardware, coming to 1240 Upshur Street, NW. The murals/maps were done by Petworth’s own Torie Partridge.

I stopped by last Friday and took a quick tour to get a sense of the space pre-shelving. Plus the outdoor gardening section is still being finished as well. A master gardener is also on staff! I can’t wait to see the space once the shelving goes in.

And since Spring is around the corner, I was also psyched to see we’ll have a new spot to get our propane refilled. And the date is in stone – opening Feb. 7th!

Dear PoPville – What’s the story with Monarch Novelties?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

We’ve lived in Logan for three years now and have never been in or seen anyone inside the Monarch Novelites store on 14th (just south of P). Not to mention, we’ve only seen it open a few times. Just curious if you know what’s going on in that place…

Back in June 2009 we learned a bit when I gave Monarch Novelites Door of the Day honors.

In 2005 the City Paper wrote:

The parcel within the Jefferson site isn’t the first bit of Robinson property that the family has fervidly defended. A 1968 photo from the Washington Post shows the Robinson boys guarding their father’s 14th Street shop, Monarch Novelties, on a summer day when business owners feared a reprise of the riots that had devastated the neighborhood earlier in the year. Standing inside their storefront, with children’s stuffed animals hanging innocently over their heads, Tommy dangles a pistol over his knee and Bo stands with a shotgun half-drawn.

Tommy has lived above that shop, in his father’s house, since he was a teenager in the ’50s. One of 11 children, he’s spent most of his life helping the family run their carnival-supply business—“Dad caught the carnival bug when he was 13,” says Tommy—and for decades they’ve been supplying whatever market there is in the District for giant inflatable crayons and oversized clown eyeglasses. His brother Douglas, an even greater eccentric with a mountaineer’s long gray beard, can usually be seen sitting still through the Monarch’s window, amid the pink and blue stuffed animals. Somehow the Monarch has survived as other old-school businesses have been taxed out during 14th Street’s transformation into an urban-chic commercial strip. But whatever the Robinsons’ trick is to surviving revitalization, it doesn’t involve courting walk-in traffic: Curious window-shoppers need to be buzzed in by Douglas before they can even enter the store.

Anyone else ever venture inside?

Like Pickles? Meet the folks behind DC’s Own ‘Gordy’s Pickle Jar’

By Prince Of Petworth


Sarah & Sheila

Sometimes I really love my job. Attending a pickle tasting is one of those days. So I was psyched to get an email from the owners of DC’s newest local business – Gordy’s Pickle Jar:

Gordy’s handcrafted pickles and preserves are a labor of love. Each thoughtfully designed recipe uses fresh, local produce & responsibly cultivated spices. We carefully tend to every small batch. Then we hand pack each & every jar to send to you.

We think you’ll taste the effort.

I met Sarah and Sheila at Blackbyrd (14th and U St, NW, where Sheila is also a bartender) to sample some of their product. And while I’m not a food critic – as a lover of pickles I can tell you that these had the best crunch I’ve ever had. Also the relish is amazing (and hand chopped.)

While you can order them online, you’ll also find them sold all around town:

Cork Market U Street Cardozo
Hill’s Kitchen Capital Hill
Palena Market Cleveland Park
Seasonal Pantry Shaw
Science Club Dupont Circle
Smucker Farms of Lancaster Co. U Street Cardozo
So’s Your Mom Adams Morgan
Sticky Fingers Columbia Heights
Trohv Takoma Park
Washington Green Grocer DC Metro Area

And at the end of the month you’ll even find them at the Whole Foods in Friendship Heights.

And more cool news, as mentioned above since Sheila is a bartender, she and some other bartenders around town are concocting some delicious cocktails with their brine:

I tried the vodka based ‘Gordy’s Picklet’ and a gin based mixture that were both delicious. Of course I don’t remember anything else from our conversation after that point and my notes look like a Jackson Pollack sketch. But from what I can remember you’ll be able to find drinks at Science Club (and fried sweet chips) and at the Gibson soon.

While the small batch production just launched in October (9th and V St, NW) stay tuned for lots more variety coming out in the future. Personally, I was begging for pickled okra. It’s always cool to hear about new local businesses. It’s even cooler to learn about delicious ones.

YO Sushi!, Walgreens, Panera Bread Coming to Chinatown

By Prince Of Petworth

The Washington Post’s Jonathan O’Connell continues to share tons of great scoops. Yesterday he told us about the Nike Store taking over the Barnes & Nobles space in Georgetown. And I forgot to share his big retail news for Chinatown:

“One of the most visible strips of vacant storefronts in the District — beside the Chinese Friendship arch in Chinatown — will become a YO! Sushi restaurant, Walgreens pharmacy and Panera Bread bakery and restaurant.”

You think YO! Sushi, Panera and a Walgreens will do well at 7th and H St, NW?

Bike Shop Coming to H St, NE. Plus Scuttlebutt for Possible DCUSA Tenants Includes a Bike Shop

By Prince Of Petworth

It’s not scuttlebutt for H St, NE. Yesterday, H Street Great Street shared the good word that The Daily Rider will be coming to 1108 H St, NE in the Spring.


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The scuttlebutt goes to the possibility of a bike shop in the DCUSA mall in Columbia Heights. Ever since the Elwood Thompson’s debacle, it’s been tough to find out scuttlebutt for new tenants looking into the DCUSA mall on 14th St, NW between Irving and Park Rd. Thanks to a reader for sharing some promising leads they heard.

In addition to a bike shop, they hear a Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is looking as well as a DSW (which we’ve previously spoken about here.)

You like the idea of a Lime Fresh and/or a Bike shop coming to DCUSA in Columbia Heights?


Photo of DCUSA by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Carbon Clothing Boutique Closes in Woodley Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Carbon was located at 2643 Connecticut Ave, NW in Woodley Park. While their Web site is no longer active, their Facebook page said they closed Dec. 27th and the description said:

In early 2011, Katherine Limon, DC’s eco-fashion stylist behind My Signature Look LLC, acquired Carbon as the vehicle to bring more eco-fashions to the DC area. Carbon offers functional yet chic men’s and women’s shoes produced by small brands and clothing, accessories, and handbags by local and international independent designers using sustainable materials and/or methods in their production. Carbon – your destination for sustainable style!

DC Kool T-Shirt Boutique Featuring Local Designers Coming to 14th Street in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

DC Kool will be located at 3441 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights (where the District Authority banner hangs in the photo above.) Their Web site says:

ARTISTS… We are filling our boutique with merchandise Hurry local designers needed. GRAND OPENING IN FEB. 2012…

Something to think about.. “If you spend $100 with a local business, $68 stays in your community; if you spend that $100 with a non local business, $30 stays in your community; and if you spend $100 with an online merchant $0 stays in your community to be spent at your business or to pay to support your community! C’mon DMV!

With a variety of offerings to choose from, we’re sure you’ll be happy with us. All Local All Hand Made items. If your from the DMV then support the DMV.

Their Craigslist ad says:

“We are opening a store on 14th Street NW selling local designers clothes mainly T-shirts. but we can fill the store up with anything locally made. (art, purses, odd things, whatever!)”

Penn Camera declares bankruptcy – closed 18th St, NW Store. Status of E St, NW Location Not Known

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of 1015 18th Street NW Penn Camera via Penn Camera.com

Thanks to a reader for sending word that a discussion on Photo.net revealed that Penn Camera has declared bankruptcy:

Penn Camera, arguably the best remaining camera store in the Washington, DC – Baltimore area told its employees late this afternoon that it had filed for bankruptcy, and would be closing several of its locations almost immediately. I was told that the remaining locations (Rockville, Tysons’, and maybe downtown) would remain open for “a while”, but photofinishing at all locations would stop immediately.

A call to the 840 E Street NW location confirmed the bankruptcy. They also shared word that the 1015 18th Street NW has already been closed. As of today the E St, NW location remains open but it’s future is unknown.

You can see Penn Camera’s other locations here.

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