Retail

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.

Ah, So Here’s Where Cork & Fork Will Be

By Prince Of Petworth

Metrocurean wrote about this spot back in July but I finally walked by the location and noticed the alcohol permit.

I was wondering what was going to happen at this prime location at the corner of 14th and Church. According to Cork & Fork’s Web site:

“Cork & Fork is a place for wine and food lovers. Customers can attend monthly wine seminars as well as Wine 101 classes where they can develop their enjoyment of wine and food. The flagship store in Gainesville, VA opened in 2005 and was the first of its kind in the fast developing Western part of Prince William County where Gainesville has become known as the “Gateway to Virginia Wine Country” because of its proximity to a number of wineries in the Northern Virginia area. Besides carrying select Virginia wines, Cork & Fork stocks some of the finest wines, beers, and cheeses from around the world not available at your local grocery store.”

Sounds awesome. Thought, as others have noted, it is crazy that there will be Cork wine bar, Cork’s new market (same owners) and now Cork & Fork (different owners) all within a few blocks of each other on 14th Street.

2204 14th Street, NW To Become A Bike Rental Shop

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in March, the scuttlebutt for this location included a Dunkin Donuts or sushi restaurant. I spoke with a worker who said the spot will become a bike rental shop opening late this week or next week. I have to admit I’m a little surprised. Given the city’s smartbike program renting bikes I’d think that’d be a tough business to compete against. (Particularly because there is a smartbike rack a few streets down at 14th and U.)

Do you think a bike rental shop in this location will thrive?

Coming and Going – Cleveland Park Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in April I wrote about my continued love of Cleveland Park despite their retail woes. In March we learned it was going to get some of its groove back. But we were really ahead of the curve when we first discussed their retails woes last August.

Well, there are still some ups and downs in Cleveland Park. The 7-11 at Connecticut Ave and Porter has closed. But don’t lose all hope, a Walgreen’s is coming next door…

Coming and Going – Signs Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader writes:

“I noticed a bunch of signs for new businesses on 14th street today. Masa 14 and the new Cork market now have “coming soon’ signs.

In sadder news, Shoefly on U appears to have reduced its hours to only be open on weekdays. Hope that’s enough to keep them there.”

And I thought I’d add another from 14th St.:

And in “Going” news it looks like Score the educational center has closed in Columbia Heights (in the plaza where the new fountain is going near Julia’s Empanadas).

Arrived and Going

By Prince Of Petworth

The new Cricket store at the corner of 14th and U has opened. The guy in the photo out front was awesome. As I was setting up the photo he hustled out of the store because he wanted to get in the photo. He put a huge smile on my face.

And in less pleasant news.

Back in January we looked at the promising Zizi Boutique. Folks were happy that a cool non bar option had opened on 18th Street in Adams Morgan. Sadly, it was short lived as the store is now closed.

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