Retail

Dear PoP – Support Your Local Hardware Stores

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP

You’ve posted on local hardware stores in general and Pfeiffer’s Hardware in Mt Pleasant in particular. So I thought you might be interested in this below (from the Mt Pleasant Forum).

I shop there all the time – a world apart from the hell that is Home Depot. I hope others will show their support and spend their money at Pfeiffers (and other local businesses).

Dear Mt. Pleasant Friends and Neighbors,

Times are tight for all of us, and I wanted to let you know how Pfeiffer’s is coping.

First, we are doing everything we can to give you good reason to buy from us. We have been doing that since we opened, but we have redoubled our efforts of late. Our new manager, William Hester, has been a phenomenal help and has so much more experience managing people and stuff than I ever had. Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself at your leisure.

Our new assistant manager, Kyla Dickson, who was promoted from clerk, has also been tremendously helpful with her instinctive ability to get things done and to manage inventory. And then there are the usual suspects: John, Josh, Richard, Roberto, Rodney and Wing. All are there to help you find what you need, or to give you their opinion on the health care debate. Our previous manager Megan Crowley, left at the end of June to pursue her dream of opening her antique tavern in West Virginia.

I am also writing to ask for your continued support. The economy is hurting most of us, I’m sure, but the fact is, without an increase in sales, our store may become yet another empty storefront on Mt. Pleasant Street. No one wants that. So, if you need a widget or a doohickey, please remember us and the value of convenience and connection and helpfulness and friendliness that we bring to your shopping at our store.

Many other businesses on Mt. Pleasant Street are struggling. If you don’t want to see them close their doors, please remember to shop locally when you can.

Thank you for your support in the past and whatever support you can afford in the future.

I will be at the store this Sunday through Wednesday and will be available for conversation at Marx Cafe in the evenings from at least 4-6pm Sunday through Tuesday. If any of you would like to chat about the store, our current situation, suggestions, possible contractors to woo, or just to chat about all things Mount Pleasant or the Pfeiffer clan, please stop by. If you would rather meet one on one, please email me at [email address removed – log in to view].

In my next posting, I will give you an update on the possible sale of the store, some new policies, our new items, and the restructuring of our rental department.

Hugs and Hardware,

Old Man Pfeiffer”

Tina visited this great hardware store back in June of 2008. And last March I wondered if local hardware stores are doomed? It saddens me to hear about Pfeiffer’s tough times. They truly are a gem in Mt. Pleasant.

I Don’t Really Get This Article. But Having Read it, I Now Feel Nauseous

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by M.V. Jantzen

In the Post today there is a story titled, “The Target Of Their Ambivalence – Suburban-Retail Icon Seduces Hipsters Of Columbia Heights”. It starts:

“For the hipsters, post-hipsters or quasi-hipsters who moved into Columbia Heights several years ago for the grit and the cheap rent and the proximity to the Wonderland Ballroom (the hipster, post-hipster or quasi-hipster bar that sponsors local music and nights like “Sundress Fest”), life can be divided into two discrete phases: Before Target. After Target.”

Please read the rest of the article here. Let me know what you think. My reaction is a mixture of nausea, sadness and a slight smile. But I really think sometimes a Target is just a Target…

More Coming to 1400 Block of Church Street, NW – Immortal Beloved Hair Salon

By Prince Of Petworth

What can I say? It’s Church Street Monday here at PoP. The space at 1457 Church Street, NW which used to house Dragonfly is becoming a hair salon. I peeked in the window and it looked like some major work had been completed. I stopped in next door to NIMBUS hair salon to see if they knew what was going in. NIMBUS’ owner, Yusuf Baptiste, told me that Immortal Beloved Hair Salon will be taking over the space. Interestingly, I asked him if he was concerned that another hair salon was coming in right next door to him. On the contrary, he said, the idea of more folks on the street will bring more commerce to the whole block. (And of course we learned that CrossFit is going in a couple a storefronts down.) Mr. Baptiste’s NIMBUS salon has been on Church Street for four and a half years.

Coming and Moving – Wired and Apartment Zero

By Prince Of Petworth

A new tavern called “Wired” is coming to 1015 1/2 7th Street, NW. The liquor application says, “New tavern offering snacks such as chips and cheese, live jazz music, DJ, karaoke and dancing. Occupancy load is 350”. Sounds pretty interesting.

And a bit further south at 406 7th Street, NW, Apartment Zero furniture store is moving. Their Web site says:

“Going forward, Apartment Zero will focus its resources on residential and commercial interior design, plus a dedicated office for contract sales to the trade (architects and interior designers). Apartment Zero will also be launching its e-commerce site offering a much larger and more exclusive range of products to a national audience in addition to the Washington DC area.

It has been our pleasure to serve you! We look forward to expanding our relationship with you now and in the future …. and who knows, perhaps you’ll see another retail concept pop up very soon.”

Dear PoP – Can Anyone Offer Advice on Where To Open Up a Vintage Furniture Shop?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I am the individual who was looking into leasing the space next to CH Coffee in hopes of opening a vintage furniture store that would sell primarily mid-century & Danish modern furniture. Unfortunately I was about a month late in applying as the owners were already in serious negotiations with the current tenant who is applying for the alcohol license. The space is only 600 sq feet, so how they would ever fit 75 people — I don’t know. Regardless, their space limitations is not why I am writing.

I am a resident of CH & have been selling this furniture as a side hobby for some time now. However, with having a ‘regular’ FT job & already devoting almost all of my weekends to this side endeavor, I have not had much time to look for alternative locations. As a resident of CH, I am very much hoping to open this business within our neighborhood; and also offer some type of store discount to local residents.

I am seeking your assistance in helping me find an alternative location for this business. It appears that CH has a lot of retail space available, but unfortunately for a large portion of these closed storefronts, it is difficult to track down the appropriate individual(s) to inquire about leasing the space. At the same time, leasing space in a prime location on 14th street is not feasible. Nor is that the type of store/space I am desiring.

After reading some of the comments on your web site, I’m wondering how I would also go about contacting some the respondents (if they were open to this) for their help in this matter. I say this because “New2CH” and “Tim” seem to have a devoted interest in the CH community, in addition to a lot of knowledge on locations and/or the subject. These are two people who recently posted comments that sparked my attention.”

Anyone have any advice and/or suggestions?

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…)

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