The retail space formerly home to Bemmi Hardware at 12th and Florida Ave, NW has been locked up for ages. While it would be awesome to get a hardware store back in business at this point I’d be happy to see anyone open. Or, hell, even convert it to an apartment/living space.
Thanks to a reader for sending the heads up that Habitat is closing at 1512 U St, NW. I stopped in on Sunday and the owner said that he won’t be opening up a new location because he’s moving to Argentina.
For fans, you’ve still got a little time – they’ll be closing Jan. 30th.
The former Best Cellars wine store and more recently a discount cellphone store located at 1643 Connecticut Avenue, NW is now gonna be a Sprint store.
And downtown a weight watchers is coming to 1031 Connecticut Ave, NW:
Map via CBRE
A reader writes:
“This may be the biggest news of the year in my opinion. Costco as well as other stores coming to Dakota Crossings next year!”
DCMUD reported earlier in the week:
“The District and the developers of the Shops at Dakota Crossing – a forthcoming 42-acre big-box retail destination revolving around Costco – have struck a deal.”
You can learn lots more about the project, scheduled to open in April 2013, here.
Costco in DC is big news. But I still think Trader Joe’s to 14th and U St, NW is bigger :)
Back in Aug. ’11 we heard that Miss Pixie’s could lose her lease at (1626) 14th and R St, NW. So I was super happy to hear from a reader who forwarded me an email notice from Miss Pixie’s. It was announcing a 3rd Thursday sale for Dec. 15th with 10% off but the real news was at the bottom of the email:
“AND WE HAVE GREAT NEWS….OUR LEASE HAS BEEN RENEWED! FIVE MORE YEARS!”
Great news.
In late Nov. we judged Capitol Hill’s Toscana Cafe. At that time it was still listed on their Website that a Toscana Market would be coming to Dupont Circle. They were planning on coming to the old Pleasure Place space (which closed back in Aug. ’10) at 1710 Connecticut Ave. NW. Unfortunately, the market is no longer listed on their website and a new for lease sign has gone up in the window. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the signing of a new tenant.
Comfort One Shoes has opened up it’s fifth location in DC at 1329 Wisconsin Ave, NW in the former Bandolino space. It’s not clear yet if this means that the Dupont Circle market has finally been saturated?
Oh yeah, a Mephisto shoes opened up next door too:
Photo via Fleurir Chocolates
Fleurir Chocolates located at 3235 P St, NW is in this month’s Food & Wine magazine (Jan. ’12.) There’s a brief article titled, “Chocolate Case Study” that shows how much it costs to open a Chocolate boutique in Georgetown. I was surprised to learn monthly rent and utilities was “only” $2,775 per month.
4NXC (Foreign Exchange) was located at 1019 U St NW. Arzo (also selling clothing) has taken over half the space and the other half remains vacant. I’ll be sure to update when a new tenant moves in.
Thanks to a reader for sending word. From Pierre’s Attic Web site:
“As a new addition to the Georgia Avenue shopping district, Pierre’s Attic brings a new edge to the neighborhood. Incorporating the changes in the city, a vintage boutique brings the green movement to Ward 4. Pierre’s Attic will feature apparel for all ages, furniture and everything in between.
Pierre’s Attic offers affordable and unique items for ALL shoppers stop by our 5320 Georgia Avenue, NW. A new and different retail experience, Pierre’s Attic is where you can shops for vintage clothing and used furniture.
Pierre’s Attic’s aim is to help customers bounce back from those hard economic times by selling gently used clothes, furnishings, and accessories at affordable prices. We want you to come to browse and buy knowing that if you need it we have it and you can afford it.”