There Will Be Crumbs

Is there really that much demand for cupcakes? Really?

“When we come into the market, people are going to realize what a real cupcake is all about.” — founder of Crumbs in February WaPo article

Boo to them and their New York hoity toityness. I like Red Velvet just fine, thanks.

More here: http://bit.ly/bm5juw

I agree with Columbo–an actual bakery would be great for residents! However, the proliferation of fro-yo and cupcake shops downtown (not to mention the fast fashion clothing stores) clearly has nothing to do with the shopping options we want and everything to do with the busloads of tourists. (I am not contemptuous of tourists, I just think they drive most of the retail decisions that are made in this area.) The issue I have with the new and forthcoming additions is that they make the area look more like a suburban mall than an urban neighborhood.

Why does it always come back to substantial retail options?

Here is a lesson on economics. There are 20,000 people who live in the neighborhood. In a typical day, a resident is unlikely to make a retail clothing purchase or buy a quick snack or fast meal.

However, the more than 40,000 unique visitors who pass thru the neighborhood every day DO buy this stuff — which helps support the inflated rents.

As residents, we don’t think that a cupcake or a tangy yogurt or a cheat pair of jeans is worthwhile — but when you come to the “big city” from areas of the country which have no retail of value — this is mecca!

I hate the cheap clothes and crappy eating options, too. But I also close to live in this neighborhood knowing full well that it is what it is.

Jon, “a resident is unlikely to make a retail clothing purchase” – really? I live AND work downtown and find myself shopping for clothes here fairly often – usually at Macy’s (not that it’s a nice Macy’s, but it’s conveniently located), Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, etc. I’d buy even more clothes around here if we had nicer stores. The demand from residents IS here.

If you read the sentence, it said “in a typical day.” I doubt you buy a piece of clothing every day. Tourists do.

That said, we do have plenty of retail clothing down here — from very high end retail such as Chas Schwartz and Sons, Alden shoes and Peruvian and Pua. We also have mid-range from Macys to Urban Outfitters and Jos A Banks. And discount such as H&M, Fileine’s, the new Dress Barn and many more.

Yes, multiple cupcake and yogurt/ice cream shops all within walking distance is a bit much — but as long as the market will bear it, they will stay open.

I thought this web site had a few writers that liked to do some digging. If a Crumbs sign goes up then we know that the new tenant is likely to be Crumbs. Easy to google. Last week I passed a tip to this web site that someone put up a teaser sign next to the new Pitangos on 7th NW b/t D and E….but the sign does not provide a name of the new establishment. Since the writers are busy, does anyone have any tips on who is moving next to Pitango? It appears to be a separate bldg permint from Pitango.

Anon: Please see our post on that topic from a few weeks ago, Food “Revolution” Coming to 7th Street (413 7th St NW).

By the way, it looks like the space next to Pitango won’t be Jamie Oliver. From the BID’s Downtown Update:

7th Street will get another eatery this summer—an English-Indian eating place. The name of the roughly 1,400 SF restaurant, which the owner hopes to expand into a national brand, is still under review. But word on the street is that it will be called Merzi, opening at 415 7th Street. Owner Qaiser Kazmi says the concept will be on the level of Chipotle Mexican Grill (601 F Street), but with distinct European-Asian flair. Kazmi once owned another restaurant, Kazo Kitchen, near Baltimore. He says the new concept will specialize in tandisserie chicken, a cross between tandoori and rotisserie chicken. The restaurant is slated to open in June.

thanks @Andy in PQ…it takes a village! we heartily endorse the Downtown BID newsletter.

sometimes our intelligence network asks that information not be made available until a certain point in time so while we like to make as much known as soon as possible, we also have to respect the wishes of our intelligence network.

we are also looking for additional writers so if anyone’s interested, drop us an e-mail at: pqliving [at] gmail.com

Sounds like an interesting concept. Look forward to more details once they get the name ironed out.

Thanks PQLIVING AND ANDY.

The BID update also said that Tynan Coffee & Tea is look for space in PQ, and that Galileo is opening this month.

More news on Pret: http://dcinternationalist.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/the-i-extra-pret-in-penn-quarter/