Back in Sept. 2011 we learned that Fashion One was closing at 700 H St, NE. It’s a huge space and I was really curious to learn who was going to be moving in. I’m happy to share some sweet scuttlebutt that I’ve learned from a very reliable source. Word is – Ace Hardware is in negotiations to take over the lease. I give this an 88% accuracy likelihood.
You think an Ace Hardware store would do well here?
Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99
Photo via Google Street View
Sad news from Dupont Circle – Melody Record shop is located at 1623 Connecticut Ave, NW next to Comfort One Shoes (formerly Lambda bookstore). Their Web site announces “STORE CLOSING SALE!”:
TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL CUSTOMERS,
Melody Record Shop will be closing its doors in the winter of 2012.
While we wish that we could continue indefinitely, technology, the internet and the economy has taken its toll, and we have concluded, unfortunately, that it is not possible to survive in this environment.We are a family owned business and it has been our privilege getting to know many of you so well over the past 34 years. We nurtured Melody, in much the same way that we raised our children, with tender loving care. We watched our store mature and grow, from vinyl, to 8 tracks, cassettes, CDs, and back to vinyl! We kept pace as VHS evolved to DVD.
For those of you who have shopped with us forever, we are eternally grateful. We worked so hard to help you locate that hard to find album, special order that specific CD or DVD, choose just that right song and be the first to have the new release from that favorite artist. We hope that our efforts have helped to bring wonderful music into your lives. Over the years, many celebrities and politicians have stopped by our store. As exciting as this was, it was just as important to us to serve the one time customer who needed a quick purchase.
To our devoted employees, we cannot thank you enough! You shared our mission, finding each customer, exceptionally important. We know that your efforts helped us survive the impact of the Internet on music for as long as we did.
We are sad to say goodbye as Melody was not just a store; it was a community where customers shared the joy and magic of great music. We are not merely closing an icon of Dupont Circle; we are saying farewell to so many good friends.
With so much gratitude for your commitment all these years,
Suzy and Jack
Back in Sept. ’11 I noted that the building home to ACKC Chocolates and Bistro was for sale. At the time they commented:
Hello All, I just wanted to let you know we are NOT closing. We are not sure how this got around, but we have a 10 year lease and still going strong. The landlord is 100% with us. http://www.examiner.com/real-estate-in-washington-dc/artfully-chocolate-bistro-undergoes-transformation Sorry to those who have not had a good experience with ACKC…we do have a new staff and have changed the venue a lot recently. We hope you give us a second chance to change your mind about us.
Not sure if it’s just a coincidence but thanks to all who sent emails about this while I was away.
Back on Dec. 28th the folks from ACKC wrote in an email:
Artfully Chocolate is beginning the new year by taking the unfortunate, yet necessary step of closing the doors at the Logan Circle location (ONLY) at 1529 14th Street, NW. (Our last day open will be 12/31/11. However, stay tuned to Constant Contact and Facebook for a special post-closing sale we will have on 1/1/12.)
We will sorely miss serving our friends and customers at the Logan Circle location, but look forward to seeing you at our Alexandria stores. Many factors contributed to the situation that caused us to take this action, but the loyalty of our customers was never in doubt.
I’m very happy to share the news that new year is starting off right for those who’ve been pining for a proper bakery in DC. Le Caprice DC is opening up this [Tuesday] morning at 3460 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights. For those who missed the last update a few weeks ago, you can see the opening day menu here. When I stopped by on Monday, I also found out there will be some specialty coffees offered. I’m eager to try out the lavender flavored one.
If anyone stops by let us know what you think.
Very cool to see this retail space get filled with a good group. Studio 85 [Ed. Note: careful if you hit the link, music plays] is located at 53 Florida Ave, NW in Bloomingdale. Their website says:
Tammi, Tamika, & Tiffany are sisters who were born & raised in Washington, DC. As kids they were always taking their creativity to new levels, whether putting on homemade fashion shows in their moms closet or turning the whole house into an amusement park! The three have always kept in touch with their creative side and it was always encouraged by their artist father, and there fashion forward mom. So working in a creative field seemed to be fate for each sister.
Studio85 came to be one morning at a coffee house, in their parents hometown of Lancaster, South Carolina. They were singing songs, making jokes, & somewhere the idea of making funny names for nail polishes came about, and that’s how they came up with idea of creating this line.
The name “Studio85” just seemed to flow with the women. They knew they wanted a studio and CEO Tiffany was born in 1985, completing their artistic semi-circle. Once the company name was decided, the three narrowed down the hundreds of names & color combinations to develop the now exclusive S85 Nail Gloss.
With their love for the arts, and their eager ambition to make all things possible these sisters are looking forward to presenting you with all things art and apparel with, Studio85.
The former ICON Interiors and Lighting space has a new tenant at 1821 14th St, NW. It’s going to be a stone, tile and bath design store called Lux.
Finally got the answer to 1007 U St, NW:
The new CVS coming to the corner of Connecticut Ave and Calvert is looking wild. The previous retail spaces that housed a real estate office, a liquor store and a rug store have been completely demoed:
Photo courtesy Annie’s Ace Hardware
Annie’s is looking good at 1240 Upshur Street, NW. Stay tuned for an early February opening.
Back in mid-Sept. it was announced that Citibank would be coming to the old Blockbuster space at 1751 Columbia Rd, NW. Turns out the lease negotiations fell through.
Maybe a Jos A Bank would be interested…?