Retail

Bicycle Stations Closes at 2204 14th St, NW Moves to Alexandria

By Prince Of Petworth

Bicycle Stations, which had only opened up in Sept. ’09 has closed its doors at 2204 14th St, NW (by W Street). Their Web site says that they moved to 610 Madison St. in Alexandria, VA to occupy a bigger space.

Credit to the many commenters who doubted they’d stay at this location for very long.

I’ll be sure to keep my eye on this space to see who moves in. It seems that attracting and maintaining retail on 14th St, NW north of V St, NW remains a struggle.

What do you think would be successful in this space?

BETA Martial Arts Academy Hopes to Rent Huge Retail Space in View 14 at 14th and Florida Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the word. Back in Sept. ’09 we discussed some rumors that a more traditional gym was thinking about going into the View 14 retail space. However, even at that time the rumor was that the deal had fallen through. Now it looks like the BETA Academy is hoping to move into the space. The owner just released the following you tube video and hopes to raise the remaining funds necessary to make the move happen. BETA currently resides in the basement level of the Calvary Methodist Church at 14th and Columbia Rd, NW. You can see the excitement they feel about this potential move:

While the video is a bit long, there is also mention of a “high-end restaurant” that was going to go into part of the non-housing space. I’ll def. be keeping my eyes on progress on both fronts here. Stay tuned!

Friday Question of the Day – What Retail is Union Station Missing?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any tips on what’s going on in the Northeast end of Union Station? Recently all of the car rental agencies moved upstairs, Ben and Jerry’s moved across the station, and the tie store, Lids, and just about everything in that block besides Verizon has disappeared. It seems they are planning on using the Northeast portion for something big, but I have no idea what. Anyone have a clue?

With all of the new restaurants near the metro (Chipotle, Potbelly, and Chopt) and the addition of the NY buses, it’s clear that improvement is afoot at Union Station even before they start construction on Burnham Place. Now if only they can figure out what to do with the old movie theater space and get Bojangles to open up…”

When we discussed the now open Potbelly’s on Monday a reader, Lou, said:

“I saw a presentation done by the Union Station managers a couple of years ago and this was not what was projected. They had ambitions of bringing in Apple, other high-end retail and a high-end restaurant. That’s why they were driving out some of the little independent shops in the basement food court.”

When I spoke to some folks who worked in nearby stores they thought that this space (where the Verizon store is) was simply being cleared to provide more lobby/loading space for Amtrak. But I’m wondering what you guys think – would an Apple or other high-end retail store work in Union Station? Do/Would people go to Union Station for specifically for shopping? I know folks who work nearby go for lunch but would people go specifically for an REI store? The funny thing is – when I was answering my own question in my head, I was thinking a movie theater would be great. I know not everyone liked the old theater because it could get loud but it (the former space in the basement) really does seem like a great space for a theater…

Anyway, for the Friday Question of the Day – What retail do you think is missing from (would be successful at) Union Station? Or should the addition of more restaurants be the way to go?

Another New Clothing Store, Black-Eyed Susie’s, Coming to 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

Wow, the retail scene on the 3400 block of 14th St, NW is off to a great start this year. On Monday we learned that It’s Vintage Darling had just opened up at 3423 14th Street NW and on Thursday Black-Eyed Susie’s will be opening up at 3443 14th St, NW (by Meridian Pl) in the former Cindy’s Bridal space.  I was able to take a sneak peek and chat with owner Susie Saadian.

Susie is a Columbia Heights resident and some may recognize her (photo below) as a spinning teacher at the nearby Washington Sports Club.  After looking at some spaces in Mt. Pleasant a student mentioned that Cindy’s Bridal space had become vacant and the fit was perfect.  While the space is small at around 700 square feet, Susie has packed it with clothing and accessories (25% men’s).

According to her Web site:

“Black-Eyed Susie’s is DC’s newest new, used, and artisan clothing and accessory retailer.

Located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, Black-Eyed Susie’s provides the community with affordable, gently used clothing and accessories for men and women. Black-Eyed Susie’s will provide an opportunity for individuals to buy and sell wearable, in-fashion and current with the trend clothing and accessories.”

Another neat feature is that the shop can also sell your clothes:

“We are most interested in women and men’s clothing and accessories that can be described as contemporary or business casual. Accessories that Black-Eyed Susie’s accepts are shoes, purses and bags, hats, belts, jewelry, scarves, gloves.

You receive 40% of the retail price.”

The average price in the shop is $15-$30 but I even saw one t-shirt going for $4. They’ll be having a grand opening on Thurs. from 11am – 9pm and there’ll even be some drinks to celebrate.

I’ll say it again, things are def. looking up for the 3400 Block of 14th St, NW in Columbia Heights.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – New Vintage Shop, It’s Vintage Darling, Opens Up in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Just wanted to shoot you an e-mail to see if you saw or knew anything about what appears to be new vintage shop opening up on 14th Street in Columbia Heights. It’s called “It’s Vintage Darling” and in the same building as Quiet Mind Yoga. A sign went up this weekend, but the windows are shuttered and there’s no sign announcing when it’s opening or anything like that. Hope it’s soon… would be a great addition to the neighborhood!”

I stopped by on Saturday and am happy to say that they are open are the space looks great!

It’s Vintage Darling is located at 3423 14th Street NW (by Newton) and run by partners Amira Hikim and Kindall Hudgins. Some folks may recognize Hikim and Hudgins (photo after the jump) as they run a popular vintage stand at Eastern Market. They had their grand opening on 1/1/11. They offer men’s, women’s, accessories, jewerly and inventory changes every day. Prices range from $20-$500 but the average price is $35. You can reach them by phone at 202-525-1327.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)

Coffee and the Works Closing in Dupont after 31 Years

By Prince Of Petworth

Long time Dupont resident, Coffee and the Works, will be closing up shop after 31 years at 1627 Connecticut Ave, NW. They will remain open until Jan. 31st. Their Web site saya:

Unique shop offering a wide variety of gourmet coffee, tea, chocolate, Stonewall specialty salad dressings, sauces, candies and bake mixes. As well as hand-crafted wood, metal, horn, shell, ceramic, glass and crystal home decor by reknowned artists. We also carry an extensive line of tabletop accessories and gadgets by Alessi, Francis Francis, Ritzehoff and fun quirky items by FRED and Anne Taintor, Japanese tea pots, Bialetti espresso makers, Bodum French press coffee pots and a whole lot more.

There were a number of pretty rough reviews on Yelp. Any fans out there?

And remember this is right next door to the former location of the Lambda Rising bookstore which rumor says is now slated to become a Comfort One shoes store:

Mt. Pleasant’s New Temporium to be located in Upcoming Nana’s Storefront

By Prince Of Petworth

Last week I shared the good word that Mt. Pleasant had been awarded a grant to open a Temporium at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. for Jan. and Feb.

As part of the city’s new Temporary Urbanism initiative, the DC Office of Planning (OP) has awarded Mount Pleasant Main Street (MPMS) a grant to establish a “Temporium” in an unoccupied retail space at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. A Temporium is a temporary, pop-up retail space for local artisans to exhibit and sell their work. The Mt. Pleasant Temporium is scheduled to open for 24 dates between late January and February.

The Mt. Pleasant Temporium, scheduled to open for 24 dates beginning in late January 2011, will feature handmade goods for sale from 20 local, independent crafters and artists, as well as special programming that includes autobiographical and theatrical storytelling, trunk shows, educational panels, and live music.

The Temporium will be developed in partnership with Mount Pleasant Main Street, SpeakeasyDC, Hello Craft, Radio CPR, Partners for Livable Communities, the DC Office of Planning, and several neighborhood-based community groups.

At the time a reader noticed that this is the space that Nana is moving into. I spoke with the owner of Nana’s clothing boutique and she confirms that it is indeed the same space. She assured me that Nana will still be moving into that space when the Temporium closes. Good news all around!

Lucky Brand Store Closing in Dupont at the end of Jan.

By Prince Of Petworth

I just noticed that a big sign advertising “prime 1st floor retail” space has been posted above Lucky Brand Jeans located at 1739 Connecticut Ave NW.  I went in the store on Sat. and they confirmed that this location will be closing at the end of January.  However, the Georgetown location at 3273 M St NW will remain open.  The Dupont location is located right next to the old Anna Maria’s restaurant that remains vacant.

This is also just down the block from the old Lambda Rising space which will soon become a Comfort One Shoes.

What do you guys think will go into the “prime 1st floor retail” space? More retail? Another restaurant? Or it’ll sit vacant for a while?

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