Retail

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?

Coming and Going – 100% Mexico and Dry Cleaning in Logan Circle

By Prince Of Petworth

I don’t know how I missed this because I’ve always wondered what’s going into the “100% Mexico” spot at 1612 14th Street, NW. I was checking out the Metrocurean Coming Soon section and the first listing says:

“1612 14th St. NW
Chef and sustainability advocate Barton Seaver is partnering with Eli Hengst (Blue Ridge, Sonoma) and Doug Singer to open a seafood market and restaurant on 14th Street.”

And not too far away at 14th and Q Streets, NW the big drycleaner on the corner is closing. Let the speculation begin for this prime locale. I’m guessing Cell Phone Company…

New Cell Phone Company Taking Over Prime Storefronts in U Street and Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth

I had noticed the sign at the corner of 14th and U Streets, NW and a reader wrote in about the Adams Morgan location:

“What’s going in the space next to Shwarma King on the 1600 block of Columbia Road?”

I spoke to some workmen at the Columbia Road location (1652) and they said Cricket Communication will be coming in the next few weeks. From their Web site they say:

“Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required.”

I’m gonna file this under – it’s better than an empty storefront…

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Deal Sealed For Building at 14th and T – Room & Board Furniture

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for forwarding an email he received from Room & Board:

“We wanted you to be the first to know: We’ve purchased the Taylor Motors Building at 14th and T. Here’s a sneak peek just for our Customer Advisory Board members. This great building will be restored without taking away from its character or architectural details. We’re so excited to become a part of the neighborhood!”

While it’s not as exciting the Tryst type proposal it’s still great news that this building will finally have a new owner.

City Paper has a full press release from the company.

Dear PoP – What’s Going on With Ghana Cafe?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Hello PoP,

Over the past few weeks my friends and I have noticed that the Ghana Cafe (on 18th street in Adams Morgan) is going through a transformation. First they took down the sign, now they have gutted the whole building, installed new windows on all three floors and put up new internal walls. Could you work your magic and find out if it’s coming back as a shiny new Ghana Cafe or if it’s gonna be another Jumbo Slice?”

I took a look this weekend and the permits out front said that it was slated to become a retail or wholesale store. I think it would be great to add some retail to the mix of 18th Street. Anyone have any idea what type of retail this may become? What do you think would do well in this spot?

Going and Just Thought I’d Mention This

By Prince Of Petworth

The really cool Neat Neighborhood Find, ShowOff Apparel has closed at 2608 Georgia Ave, NW. This is quite sad as those guys were super talented. This is how cool the inside looked back in July.

In happier news, while not new, I know folks mentioned the Philadelphia Water Ice Factory on H Street, NE. People seemed to really like their cheesesteaks.

Just thought I’d mention that there is also a location at 2620 Georgia Ave, NW.

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