Thanks to IMGoph for the heads up. About a month ago Garden District moved to a new location across the street from its former location to 1740 14th St., NW. Well, 14th & You is reporting:
“Last week, the Garden District–the 14th Street nursery and plant lover’s paradise–filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving it’s future on 14th Street cloudy.”
They say the spot will remain open (including selling Christmas Trees) through December but it is unclear what will happen after that. Yikes!
This sign terrified me when I first saw it. I’m a huge fan of Good Wood located at 1428 U Street, NW. I went in the store on Saturday and the owner said that he wasn’t too worried. I asked if he was looking for a new space for Good Wood but he said it was way too early for that. Apparently, it is not uncommon for a building like this to go on sale but not find a buyer. Should the building actually sell, it is likely Good Wood will remain somewhere in the neighborhood. Hopefully they won’t have to move…
Thanks to a reader for forwarding the news:
“Please join us this coming weekend as we welcome the long-awaited addition to the Culture Shop community: The Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar.
Under construction for over three months, the Tavern promises a venue for stimulating conversation, tantalizing cuisine, and a wide representation of your favorite beverages. In addition, The Culture Shop will continue to celebrate world-class shopping via a unique selection of eco-chic accessories, personal care items, clothing, housewares, foodstuff, and much more.
As a space-warming gift, we invite all our visitors to bring a can of food or make a financial donation this weekend (and each weekend throughout November) to be donated to a local charity – in support of our less fortunate neighbors.
Help us usher in the Season of Thanksgiving by celebrating all that is good and right in our global community.”
The Culture Shop is located at 341 Cedar Street, NW.
Well there’s some good news and some less exciting news. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Union City, a coffee brunch diner type spot from the owners of recently opened Tynan Coffee & Tea in Columbia Heights, will fill the northernmost retail spot.
Today, the CricKet sign went up to help cement CricKet’s take over of DC…
And in happier news – Sala Thai will be opening up a Thai and Sushi restaurant. And finally a Subway sandwich shop will be opening. Still no word on whether the spot from former Colorado Kitchen chef Gillian Clark is going forward. More news on the rest of the spaces as deals are signed.
I’m particularly curious what you guys think about the Sala Thai and Subway shops?
This is something that’s been on my mind a while and in a previous post about a CVS coming to Petworth, someone mentioned that they’d like to see a bank branch as well. I have to echo that sentiment. It’s always (and I’ve noted it before) bothered me that the Petworth (and U St) metro doesn’t have a Chevy Chase ATM when so many other stops have them. Then it got me thinking that there really aren’t many banking options near where I live in Petworth (yes there is one further south in Park View). So my folks were here this past weekend and my Dad mentioned that it was often quite common for banks to neglect lower income neighborhoods. And of course we have plenty of “Checks Cashed” spots. I know they are useful to some folks but they really bother me just like the damn Cash Point commercials. I believe the “Checks Cashed” stores take a decent percentage every time you cash a check. But do regular hard working residents also not deserve a proper bank where a percentage of their check will not be removed every time they/we cash one? I’m not saying I want a bank on every single corner (nor do I want a CVS on every corner) but it does seem like a glaring omission in many neighborhoods considered lower income. Am I reading too much into this?
A couple of years ago I thought Hair Plus Gift Shop was pretty odd. But this seems equally random to me. Paper and Tea? Paper and pens? Yes. Tea and pastries? Yes. Is it just me or does that seem a bit of a bizarre combo?
Thanks to Dallas for sending the photos. POSH is located at 1828 18th Street, NW above Ansonia Wines (which I also hear is progressing towards opening). The store looks pretty good – be sure to check them out if you’re in the neighborhood.
A few weeks ago we learned that construction will start in November. Thanks to a reader for the word that the signs have gone up. I know some folks would’ve preferred a more dense development like retail on the first floor and apartments above it. It seems that would’ve made a lot of sense. But I have to be honest, I’m happy to be getting a CVS nearby. Especially since I sold my car…
We learned of this spot located at 3519 Connecticut Ave., NW back in March. I was lucky enough to chat with the owners and wine consultants on Saturday. Weygandt Wines is owned by Peter Weygandt and Todd Ross:
Todd Ross to the left and Peter Weygandt to the right
Peter Weygandt has been an importer of wines for 20 years with Weygandt Metzler Importing based out of Pennsylvania. Peter and Todd chose DC for their first brick and mortar store because “DC is filled with educated, sophisticated people who like to drink wine”. I couldn’t agree more. The store will be unique in that it will have a tasting bar much like you may see at a vineyard. They will be offering wines from 120-130 different producers (nine of whom are photographed on the walls). If you have a tough time deciding which wines to purchase you can be guided by their two wine consultants, Tim O’Rourke and Matthew Stintz. Tim and Matthew are a bit unique in that they were both formerly chefs. Tim at Citronelle (among others) and Matthew at Terra (in St. Helena, California).
Tim O’Rourke left, Matthew Stintz right.
The store was still being stocked but this’ll give you an idea of the size of the space (formerly Blockbuster video store):
You can see where the tasting spot will be in the back right corner of the photo. Speaking of tasting – their Web site says they’ll be having “Our first tasting: The wines of F.X. Pichler
Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 – 5:00 pm”. Though, they mentioned that tastings will not only be reserved for special events.
So if you wanted to check out a store devoted exclusively to wine – check out their grand opening Wed. starting at 10am!
A few weeks ago a reader wrote in that she heard a sex shop was opening in the old Habitat space at 1510 U Street, NW. I posted a FQoTD asking folks if they thought it would fit in well to U Street. Most folks thought it would. Well, the spot, Secret Pleasures had its grand opening this past Saturday. It’s Web site says:
“Secret Pleasures is committed to providing a comfortable environment that will allow exploration and enhancement of intimacy. We offer in-home parties for women and couples, that soon will be replaced with workshops and party hosting at our soon to open location in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
Our goal is to enhance intimate relationships by offering enhancment techniques and educational resources as well. Secret Pleasures offers a wide variety of intimate products, books, DVDs, lotions and other romance enhancement products. We carry the highest quality of adult novelties and intimate products from the leading manufacturers.”
1510 U Street, NW