Balducci’s Deal Revived, Anthropologie In Talks For PQ!

I’m not an Anthropologie person (though my wife certainly is), but I have to think that either would be a welcome addition to the ‘hood. Particularly with neighborhood retail diversity frequently coming down to which fusion restaurant does a better curry puff, a market and clothing retailer would certainly help.

Anthropologie on F Street = my dream come true

I second Anon #2. Anthropologie–please join us in Penn Quarter. Dreamy!!

This would be so fabulous. I hope Balducci’s realizes the potential in Penn Quarter. Love Anthropologie.

Ah the 2nd Amendment…I’m reminded of the immortal words of Rowdy Roddy Piper in the movie They Live:

“I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick [butt]. And I’m all out of bubble gum.“

I love Anthropologie. And really really really hope this comes to be.

this is what I call a newsday!

Balducci’s TIF financing = subsidy for higher rents for Jemal

I like Balducci but not at taxpayer expense or to line the pockets of politically connected “developers”.

I thought there was a deal for a Staples in that space now. Was I mistaken on the space?

PQ Guy: Yes, the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) approved a permit for signage for a Staples store at the same address. We can only guess that the Staples deal didn’t materialize or that Balducci’s talks pushed Staples to the wayside. In retrospect, we should have written that Staples post with more emphases on it being speculation. Lesson learned.

On the TIF financing – this is a terrible way to look at it – but if there are handouts being made, at least this one is in our neighborhood and helps get something most of us want.

Very exciting news…residents should do everything they can to back both of these developments…including TIF financing!

On what happened to Staples….its not always possible and who has time but you can keep checking comments for updates on every post.

From the Staples story back in April:

Thu 3 Apr 2008
Staples Confirmed To Occupy Old Balducci’s Space
Posted by gpliving

Last comment was:

Evroult Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
According to conversation today with one fairly in the know source, Staples was serious but its not a certainty bc the space is not a great fit. Other parties more to our liking are looking at financing and costs to finish out space but as we have learned, final decisions could be weeks or more away.

Maybe with all the good announced restaurant and retail openings lately, potential tenants are reconsidering that space.

snip

I agree with #11. Is ed Ed Lazere? TIF doesn’t = higher rates for Jemal. He can get market rates with a Walgreen’s or a Staples, but not a grocer. I’m not a real estate guy, but I would say that Jemal probably bought the property at market value, which was probably partially based on market leasing rates. In order not to lose money, he probably needs to lease it out at market rates. He could do this with stores that aren’t what the taxpayers in this neighborhood are asking for, but the public is asking for a grocer. Unfortunately, across the country grocers have historically gotten breaks on rent because they operate at such low margins, and probably because in suburban type markets, developers giving grocers free/reduced rent to get the draw into their plaza, and then making their the money on the other retailers became the norm. I agree this is a bad model, but we’re not going to fix the grocery real estate model here and now in the PQ. So I say bring on the TIF, just like they are for the O Street Giant and others. Now the fact that Balducci’s should be making good profits based on their prices may be true, but their finances don’t seem to be so great given the way the pulled out of all new development previously.

My wife confirms what I read here, that Anthropologie will satisfy pleasures that I, as a man, could not even fathom.

Of course, now that the gun ban has been struck down, I can open my dream store in DC (sure to be a hit with the Bush cronies) — a gun/slaughter/butcher/burger shop. You see, at my store you can buy a gun, shoot the cow of your choice, we’ll make the burger meat (never frozen naturally), and viola!, ultra fresh burgers to satisfy any NRA member. Good bye Five Guys. Any suggestions for names?

Olsson’s filing for bankruptcy. Evidently closing the Penn Quarter store was just the tip of the iceberg.

Wash Post article

“Olsson’s filing for bankruptcy. Evidently closing the Penn Quarter store was just the tip of the iceberg.”

Sad, but the book business isn’t exactly thriving these days.

I’m with MeYou&PQ. Cannot fathom the fascination with Anthropologie. Then again, I’m not into Gap Outlet quality at Nieman Marcus prices.

As for the name of a shoot/slaughter/burger shop, I suggest “Meat Beat Manifesto” or “Dr. Lector’s Abbatoir and Shooting Gallery.”

Make sure you serve lots of small plates of forcemeat and charcuterie.

Well, if we get a damn grocery store in the neighborhood that will be great. I’ve only been to Balducci’s once up in CT. All I have to say is that they better have steak and other meat. It better not be like that Trader Joe’s crap which won’t sell real hot dogs or even have a meat department.

Does anyone know what the outcome of the July 2 vote was? I’ve been out of town… Thanks for all the great info!

link correction. article stub here.