Retail

Big Changes in Store for Skynear in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in October ’08 I asked about all the stores on 18th Street, NW for lease in Adams Morgan. This past weekend I was able to speak with a longtime Adams Morgan business owner, Lynn Skynear, who’s been in Adams Morgan for 20 years. Skynear is located at 2122 18th Street, NW.

First let’s talk about the plans for this space, which are pretty cool. As you can see the third floor is for lease and now there is a sign saying the first floor is for lease.

Ms. Skynear explained that in this economy small furniture stores are having a tough time and therefore one needs to be creative. And here’s the creativity:

Skynear will remain a part of this space on the second or third floors. But on the first floor Ms. Skynear is looking for a tenant to open a European style bakery and cafe with an outdoor seating area. Skynear explains, “you have to give folks more than one reason to come here”. And to fill out the second and third floors, Skynear would like to see a consortium of Skynear furniture along with potential partners including the following possible vendors – clothing, jewelery, and/or pottery. She envisions folks having a coffee and cake downstairs and then shopping upstairs.

Ms. Skynear also addressed the issue of the many storefronts for lease on 18th Street. The only way Adams Morgan will become a destination spot beyond nightlife, she believes, is with better public transportation. Specifically she would like to see one of the new Circulator buses coming down 18th Street. She believes this is the only way to prevent other small businesses from leaving the area. And the only way this will be possible is if the Mayor embraces the neighborhood. She left me with these words: “I’m hoping the Mayor will embrace the place in which he grew up in.”

So what do you guys think, do you like the idea of a bakery cafe on the first floor? And what are your thoughts on a Circulator bus coming to 18th Street?

Coming and Going

By Prince Of Petworth

We were saddened to learn of Moojo Ken’s closing. It seems next door neighbor Habitat will be moving into the space. I’m not sure if Habitat is expanding or will vacate its current space. Stay tuned…

Treasury Vintage Boutique Opens Up at 1843 14th Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all the readers who sent news about this info. When I stopped by it was pretty crowded as a result of being featured in a Daily Candy email alert. I spoke briefly with co-owner Katerina Herodotou (the other co-owner is Cathy Chung). Katerina told me that she and Cathy, long time friends, wanted to bring a modern aesthetic to vintage shopping. Finding the goods for their store was described as a treasure hunt. They go to auctions, estate sales and other places to find high quality vintage goods. At the moment this is a part time gig for both Katerina and Cathy who currently hold day jobs. As such at the moment the shop is open from Thurs.- Sun.

Beyond the grand opening celebration this past weekend, the spot will continue to feature regular events.

1843 14th Street is located above Som Records and a beauty shop on the second floor (south of T Street).

Park Place Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Above Petworth Metro) Plus Some Details on Retail Revealed!

By Prince Of Petworth

Mrs. Peron Williams right (whose husband was an ANC rep who strongly supported this development) and Muriel Bowser cutting the ribbon along with CM Graham, Mayor Fenty and Chris Donatelli

On Wednesday the new building, Park Place, above the Petworth metro was officially unveiled. It brought out quite the representation from the DC government. In addition to Mayor Fenty, Council members Bowser, Graham and Kwame Brown were in attendance.

Some highlights from the remarks. Mayor Fenty said the day signaled that “economic development on Georgia Avenue had finally arrived”. He continued, “the days when stagnation reigned on Georgia Avenue are over”. And he gave a lot of praise and recognition to the Donatelli (the developers) family for their vision. “Donatelli is not afraid to invest in neighborhoods that other people have written off”.

Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser said, “My breath was literally taken away when I stepped onto this roof”. She continued, “This is just the start for things to come on Georgia Ave”. She also noted that this project captured the best of green development as it clusters people above the metro with easy access to commute to work. Bowser also lauded the community for their involvement in supporting this project.  Before the community got involved this space was slated to become a municipal property.

Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham said, “Who would’ve thought that we would have this kind of building at Georgia and New Hampshire? The neighborhood knew that this building could be here, that’s who knew”. Graham also noted that the project had “the benefits of transit oriented development in the best sense”.

Sadly, I passed out a bit from the blaring sun when Council member Kwame Brown said a few words. But he basically echoed the previous comments. I revived a bit when Chris Donatelli took the mic and started mentioning the coming retail. (Some info I found out after the official remarks.) There will be a cafe/coffee spot, 2 sit down restaurants (one from Gillian Clark formerly of Colorado Kitchen and the other possibly a Thai/Sushi spot). He said the retail may resemble some of the spots on U Street (in the Ellington building) as some of those folks are considering opening up second or third spots in Petworth. There are also discussions to bring a wine store in most likelihood the folks behind D’vines. There will be 8 retail spots in total.

Given the current state of the economy, I think we are very lucky that this project was completed. The place looks pretty amazing. It really sinks in when you hear Mayor Fenty say, “I remember the day when new development hadn’t been built on Georgia Ave. in like 80 years”.

As promised after the jump you can find some photos from inside along with a pricing sheet. (more…)

Dear PoP – What’s Going on at Columbia Road?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Do you have any information about what’s moving in on Columbia Road right next to the Safeway? All the surrounding stores went out of business at roughly the same time so I’m thinking maybe they’re putting some new megastore in there.”

I have received a number of emails asking about this. Back in April we learned that CVS will be taking over this spot. They will be closing their store across the street when this new spot opens. At the time Kristen Barden from Adams Morgan BID wrote me that:

“Combined Properties (www.combined.biz) is combining all of their stores along that stretch – Popeye’s, the beauty supply store, Citibank, etc… and the CVS on the south side of Columbia Road will move over there. I also don’t know what will go in the old CVS space yet…”

And of course construction has also begun on the Safeway which will stay open during renovations.

Dear PoP – New Furniture Store Possibly Coming to 14th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Woo hoo! Just what 14th Street needs…another furniture store!”

The reader sent an article from Washington Business Journal:

“Furniture retailer Crate & Barrel is looking for space to bring its CB2 store to D.C., according to a source familiar with the deal.

CB2, which is aimed at a younger and more urban market than Crate & Barrel, is considering taking space along the 14th Street NW corridor in a planned office-retail project at 1350 R St. NW.”

Wow, I’ve never even heard of CB2. Has anyone seen their goods? Think it’ll be a good fit for this section of 14th Street, NW?

Coming and Coming

By Prince Of Petworth

Something called Kabaji Grill appears to be building out a space on the 1300 block of Connecticut Ave south of Dupont Circle. Anyone know anything about this restaurant? Is it a chain?

And a few storefronts north on Connecticut we see that wireless services are expanding in all parts of DC. I believe this spot used to house a really nice stationary store. It’s getting harder and harder to find good spots for birthday cards…

Coming and What’s Coming? Cricket and Mount Pleasant Deli

By Prince Of Petworth

It looks like the phone company Cricket is coming full force to DC. Above is a new spot they’ll be coming to at the corner of Georgia Ave. and Gresham. And as we noted a few weeks ago, they’ll also be coming to the corner of 14th and U and 1652 Columbia Road.

“Dear PoP,

It looks like there is some action (paint, lighting) going on inside the empty store front to the left of Ercilia’s on Mt. P St. I can’t remember if that was the former deli spot or what…”

I took a look at the former Mt. Pleasant Deli spot but sadly there were no workmen there to inquire what was going. I’ll keep my eye on the spot though and update as soon as more info becomes available.

New Bank Coming to 9th and N Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Well, these storefronts at the corner of 9th and N, NW have been vacant for a super long time. It looks like Independence Bank will be taking most of them over. I’ll have to file this under better than vacant. But, I’m serious with this one, would you rather have a CVS in this location?

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