Retail

One of the Best Bookstores in the City Closed (For the Moment)

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been meaning to post about Chapters A Literary Bookstore for a while but I couldn’t seem to find it. It was located at 445 11th St., NW. I just thought I kept walking down the wrong street. Sadly the location has closed. However, their Web site says:

“CHAPTERS is currently in storage, but we now have a Letter of Intent from the landlord of 601 Penn. Ave. NW (on Indiana Ave., between 7th & 6th) in the dynamic Penn Quarter area of downtown D.C., and 90 days to raise the funds to undertake the lease. With your help, we will again be part of the downtown renaissance, and of its cultural and community life. Please see the home page: WHY & HOW TO MAKE A DONATION. Thank you!”

I think that 90 days has passed. Has anyone noticed any movement at 601 Pennsylvania Ave? Anyone remember how great this store was?

Rock Creek Market Opens at Corner of Rock Creek Church and Warder Streets

By Prince Of Petworth

I got a ton of emails about this market opening up on Tuesday. If you recall this was the space that was gutted by fire in August ’08. It looks amazing now.

This is one of the nicest bodegas in town, well worth the wait. It’s not gonna replace a grocery store but if you need a few items and live nearby, you should be very happy.

New To Me – DC Stem

By Prince Of Petworth

Stem is located at 1412 U Street NW. Looks pretty cool.  They have men’s and women’s clothing, home furnishings and jewelry.  Anyone check it out yet? Thumbs up or down? Here are the hours in case you haven’t been yet:

sun-thu: 11am – 10pm
fri-sat: 11am – 11pm

Dear PoP – News from Irving and Warder!

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

There is an old store on the corner of Irving and Warder- you once featured it in your “Capturing Cool Signs” feature within the past year.

Anyways, after many evenings on our porch wishing that it would reopen, it looks like it is!

There has been renovation going on there for the past 3 weeks, 7 days a week. After work last Thursday I popped in to talk to the construction guys. They told me that it was in fact going to be a new store and it would be opening in 2 weeks!

I am super stoked about this and I know our friends in Park View will be as well.”

Great news for this section of Park View!  And thanks to IntangibleArts for providing the great photos.

Before renovations:

DCCH Focus Groups This Week To Discuss Current and Future Retail in Columbia Heights

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“This is just a reminder that the Development corporation of Columbia heights will be hosting three focus groups this week to discuss the current businesses and future retail development needs of the neighborhood.

11th Street Focus Group
Date: September 8, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Red Rocks Pizzeria, 1036 Park Road NW

Park Road Focus Group
Date: September 9, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Los Hermanos Market, 1426 Park Road NW

14th Street Focus Group
Date: September 10, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: La Molienda Restaurant, 3568 14th Street NW”

Coming to New Buildings at 14th and Florida (Strictly Scuttlebutt)

By Prince Of Petworth

I’ve been consistently getting emails about what possible retail is going into the new Solea building and View 14 building located at 14th and Florida Ave., NW. These are just rumors and not terrible exciting but I hear Solea is slated to get a new sign store and possibly will house a non profit.

Across the street at View 14 I heard some rumors of a gym going in but I hear that plan has stalled. Other than that I’ve heard of no deals signed yet. Anyone else hear any rumors?

Going – Garden District (Indoor Plant Store)

By Prince Of Petworth

This spot at 14th and Church opened relatively recently back in March ’08. There is big sign saying they are moving and offering lots of sales:

The original store is located up the block at 1801 14th Street (at the corner of T St.). That spot will reopen in September. The location at 14th and Church is pretty prime, it’ll be interesting to see what goes in there.

Recommend a Neighborhood Business To Receive a $500 Grant

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

My name is Yvette and I work at LEDC ( Latino Economic Development Corporation). We are offering $500 grants to businesses that have potential but need some graphic design/marketing/other consulting services (the vendor of their choice).”

I suggested the great El Limeno restaurant located on the 200 block of Upshur across from the Hitching Post. What do you guys think – know of any worthy local businesses that could use some graphic design/marketing services? Put your suggestions in the comments section and Yvette will check back at the end of the week.

They previously awarded a grant to Jam Down the new Jamaican restaurant, located at 3303 Georgia Ave., we spoke about last week.

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