Retail

Amani ya Juu on Mt. Pleasant Street by Charles

By Prince Of Petworth

It wasn’t the grandest grand opening I’ve ever stumble across, but it was great to see life coming back to a vacant Mt. Pleasant Street storefront, especially in the form of a colorful women’s clothing (and charming tchochkes) store — the only U.S. retail outlet for Amani ya Juu, a collective working to bring jobs and healing to West African women.

Meaning “higher peace” in Swahili, Amani ya Juu “is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women,” based in Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. It brings together women caught in the middle of bloody tribal conflicts (think Hutu/Tutsi or the aftermath of last year’s Kenyan elections) despite ethnic rivalries, to learn the skills needed to produce unique and beautiful clothing and to support themselves.

Their new home, at 3166 Mt. Pleasant Street, has long been owned by the Community of Christ, a 45-member DC-based Christian fellowship devoted to peace and justice. As part of their mission, the Community has opened their building – which also hosts their worship services – innumerable times for uses as tedious (or exciting) as ANC meetings and as exciting (or tedious) as rock shows, and rented space to non-profits that share the Community’s vision. Bright and open after a new renovation, the building is also now home to the DC Language Access Coalition, which works to ensure that DC residents with limited English have access to essential government services.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Petworth CVS Rendering

By Prince Of Petworth

The scandalous gossip from almost a year ago turns out to be true. Thanks to Petworth News who got the rendering above from Robb L. It says LaKritz Adler has signed a lease for a CVS to be built at Georgia and New Hampshire Ave and construction is set to begin in the fall with the store opening in late spring 2010.

I’ve come to support this addition. Have some of you guys changed your mind?

Scuttlebutt: Slot Next To CH Coffee on 11th Street

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

“I was over at CHC Saturday morning, and some folks had opened up the shuttered space next door (where CHC was unfortunately unable to expand) and they were messing around in there. I distinctly overheard someone say he was planning to sell vintage furniture in there.”

I wasn’t able to confirm this info so please consider this strictly, strictly scuttlebutt. There is a distinct possibility that this space will become something else. But, damn it, I enjoy scuttlebutt. While many of us were truly saddened that CH Coffee was unable to expand, I’m curious, would you be happy if this space turned into a vintage furniture shop?

It’s Actually Going to Happen!

By Prince Of Petworth

Just seeing this coming soon sign at Georgia and Taylor nearly makes my heart skip a beat. It’s wild to hear about something for so many years and actually see it materialize. Anyone know when it’s supposed to open?

I Still Love You Cleveland Park

By Prince Of Petworth

I know some readers won’t shed a tear to hear about Cleveland Park’s retail woes but I still have some love for Cleveland Park. I lived in Cleveland Park for 3 years and I think of her as an ex-girlfriend with whom I’ve had an amicable breakup. When I walk through Cleveland Park, I really hope she is doing well. It’s not like a bad breakup when you’re secretly psyched that your ex has gained 25 pounds. I truly wish her the best.

So I was dismayed to read last week that their Starbucks on Connecticut Ave. was closing. What I really don’t understand is that this particular store always seems to be crowded:

As you can see in the first photo, the consignment shop right next door has also closed. The McDonald’s across the street has been closed for years now. I just don’t get it. Then when I walked further up the street, it seems that the Cold Stone Creamery has closed:

I thought things were looking up when we learned a new wine store, yogurt shop and running store had recently opened up. Anyone know why such a established neighborhood is having such a hard time keeping retail? Are the rents simply to high in this economic environment?

Good News And Bad News For the 800 Block of Upshur Street, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Domku got a cool new picket fence out front and some new art is being displayed inside.

There’s lots more art to be seen but here’s a taste:

In the sad news department, clothing store and former neat neighborhood find, Shaka King Menswear, has closed.

I spoke with some folks out front who said Mr. King had moved to Florida. While I wasn’t a regular at his shop, I thought he was a really nice guy and I liked the flavor his store brought to the block. Hopefully, someone/thing equally cool will move in. I’m hoping for a shawarma/falafel spot…

Petworth Florist Opens at Georgia Ave and Allison Streets

By Prince Of Petworth

Back in early Feb. I mentioned that a florist was slated to open up soon. I’m happy to report that Mother Virginia is now open at the corner of Georgia and Allison Streets. I’m hearing good things about them so with Mother’s Day approaching be sure to check them out.

What Will Become of Retail at Harvard and Sherman?

By Prince Of Petworth

It was briefly mentioned in a comment yesterday that the Apex Gas Station has closed (perhaps permanently?) on the southwest corner of Harvard and Sherman. And of course we learned a couple months ago of the closing of the coffee shop, Coco libre (and before that Nani’s kafe) pictured above. So it got me wondering what type of retail do you think can be sustained at this intersection? I actually think it’s a great intersection as it is really close to all the development going on around 11th Street (not super close, but close enough). A reader was gchatting with me that she thought a Chipotle would be perfect in this spot! Now there is some foot traffic around here but it’s certainly not as dense as around 14th Street. Anyway, what type of retail do you think could work at this location? Do you think once 11th Street builds up a little more that the retail growth will naturally expand one block east?

An Odd Move – Pinz N Needlez Tattoo

By Prince Of Petworth

I thought this was pretty odd. The Pinz N Needlez Tattoo shop moved one door over from 926 U Street to 924 U Street in the old At&t storefront. What’s the scenario to move one storefront like this? But what I’m most curious about is, will they repaint one of the best shop numbers in town?

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