Moojoo Ken, located at 1512 U Street, NW, is closing its doors. From an email:
“We are closing our store. Thank you for your support over the years.”
Very sad news as the owners were super nice folks.
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Retail
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Metrocurean has the scoop:
“The first floor will hold about 60 percent wine, with the remaining space devoted to a small selection of beer, food and specialty items, including cheese, charcuterie, jams, oils, vinegars, pasta, bread and baked goods. An open kitchen in the back will turn out sandwiches and salads to carry out, as well as some favorites off Cork’s menu — chicken liver pâté, oil-cured roma tomatoes, olives, nuts. “I like to say everything you’d need for a picnic,” says Gross.”
More info at Metrocurean.
I think this is a really interesting development as last we heard back in March this space, at 1805 14th Street NW, was slated to become Blu Lounge & Grill. Does a wine store and market sound good to you?
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A couple of years ago I wondered if 14th Street was becoming a new fashion hub?. Sadly, it seems Circle Boutique located at 1736 14th Street has closed their doors. However, Redeem located next store is still open!
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I’m all for CVS, seriously I am. But it seems painful that this old theater in Brookland was converted into a CVS. I also noticed that the old movie theater in south Dupont is also now a CVS. I miss movie theaters. Oh well…
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A reader writes:
“I walked by Beveragemania this morning and there was a foreclosure notice (dated May 6, 2009) on the door. It said the place had been foreclosed on in October. I’m sad to see the place go as everyone there was always friendly and chatty. What do you know? Did they simply lose their footing after the damage to their New Orleans properties last fall?”
Oh this is sad news. I’ve emailed the owners and hopefully will find out the full story.
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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…)
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?