New Retail

alaaro · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 573 Location: 11th and Park

I know it's early, but is there any word on what retail tenants may be coming to the two big condo buildings at the CH metro - Kenyon Square and Highland Park?

GforGood · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 606

I've been wondering the same. You've probably seen the news on the upcoming restaurant in Kenyon Square, but that's about all I've heard.

Mr. D · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:27 am Post subject:

My assumption is that a lot of businesses are waiting to see how the neighborhood dynamics change as a result of all the new development before they commit to an investment. Can't say I blame them. When the construction within two city blocks of CH Metro is complete, the whole neighborhood will be literally transformed. What form that will take, nobody knows. It's an exciting time to be living here!

alaaro · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 573 Location: 11th and Park

Ive noticed that TMobile and Citibank are coming into the Park Triangle (I think that's the building) first floor - completely useless retail in my opinion. I think more specialty shops (like we see on U St) and restaurants need to come in. Glad to see StickyFingers though...

Mr. T · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 902

Yes, I was a little disappointed as well. I have no problem with banks and mobile phone stores, but it's better for them to be located in "inside" retail spaces with only one frontage, and leave the prominent corner locations to restaurants and bars to promote more foot traffic and make more of an impact on 2 frontages instead of just one (good example: Kudo Beans).

GforGood · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 606

Well, while I kinda agree I am not too upset. Even Citibank and T-Mobile will create foot traffic, and thereby a feeling of a more vibrant neighborhood and also clientele for the restaurants and cafes and bakeries (yeah, go Sticky Fingers!). Also, I think T-Mobile and Citi Bank have certainly eveluated the DC USA option as well, and might move there in the end. So I do think it is better to have some retail than no retail (i.e. sad empty store fronts), there is probably enough retail space in the new condos and in the older houses (after renovation) along the 14th corridor for example to easily house all the restaurants and cafes we realistically hope for.

New2CH · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 652 Location: Park Road

Great article in this month's intowner (http://www.intowner.com/) summarizing all of the retail planned for 14th street. A lot redundant of what has already been placed on this site, but some new information.

My thoughts: DC USA is basically all chains, and some pretty awful ones (Panda Express, e.g. -- why not get a decent locally-owned Chinese restaurant, instead??) in the bunch. But it's fine to have so long as the surrounding buildings attract a more interesting set of retails. so far, that is mixed but pretty positive. I love the sound of a Tryst-like loungy place in Park Triangle, I definitely hope that gets finalized and I would love to hear more about that, and the bakery also sounds great (although I would kill for aplace that bakes fresh bread or sells good cheese). The Heights is perfect. Encouraging that another restaurant may be coming into the other big condo development by the metro. I would love to see some funky local retailers along the likes of a record store, book store, or some of the houseware stores like Pulp, etc. down around U Street. And definitely some kind of wine store would be great. As for big chains, if we have to have them how about a Barnes & Noble? NO place to buy books anywhere nearby. My biggest gripe, though, is not a single Japanese/Sushi, Thai, or real Chinese (not the horrible take-away style) place anywhere in CH -- with ALL the retail going in, HAS to be room for one good asian restaurant. Oh, and finally, I love the sound of what is going in at Allegro -- I thought there wasn't going to be retail at all, now they are saying totally local / non-chain type stuff -- bravo!

As for futher down 14th street, Trader Joe's would be great -- easy drive or metro down to U Street area. If we could get Teeter or Whole Foods here, plus the Giant, plus a Trader Joe's nearby, we'd be all set for grocery options.

GforGood · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 606

Thanks for the link! I read it with great interest! All in all, CH seems to be heading for a pretty comprehensive shopping area, and hopefully the chain store types will also pull with them some non-chain stores to the area. I am hopeful some of that would happen along 14th North of Tivoli.

Just to provide my two cent views on the "chain stores and restaurants" in the DC USA mall: yes, it would be great to have some non-chain stuff, and I am fairly sure DC USA would not mind that at all either if they could find someone who is reliable and can pay the rents they are asking and also make a profit.. Also, that's the way most if not all malls are.. not too many original stores that I can think of in most of them with the exception of the Georgetown mall perhaps.. but that's very high end and would not work in CH. DC USA does, I think, have some space allocated to local businesses, but I guess the types of Quizno's count towards that as well so I would not expect too many "boutique" style stores.. but who knows.