RSS FeedExciting Neighborhood News From "Downtown Tim" (Grocery Store, Tousaud’s, Clothing, Butcher, etc) *Updated*
Our friend, Downtown Tim, just left a comment that we feel deserves its own post. Here is the scoop:
- Downtown Tim said…
I have some exciting retail news for the ‘hood…
(a) a very reliable source has informed me that Magruders has completed a deal to take the Balducci’s space — a reporter I know is working on a story right now!!!
(b) Zara is taking the remaining storefront space on F Street next to H&M –apparently it will be the largest Zara outside NYC (over 20k ft)
(c) Madame Tousaud’s is likely taking the basement space at the Woodies Building
(c) Douglas Development is finishing deals w/ clothing stores (no banks, no restaurants) for the Atlantic Building (930 F Street NW) announcements will be made soon
(d) Akridge has leased (or will soon lease) most of the retail at Carroll Square (across the street from the Atlantic Building). Tenants will include an organic butcher, a gourmet chocolate restaurant/bar, a yarn salon, a baby/maternity store, etc.
(e) A lounge/restaurant is looking at the HNTB space on 7th — no deal yet, though
More news to come…
- Thanks Tim!!
Here is an update:
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly…
My reporter friend called me back this afternoon AND the Magruders deal isn’t done (all of the other info is accurate, though). Apparently there are four competing proposals for the Balducci’s space (including Magruders as well as, unfortunately, at least two non grocers). JPI (the developer) is in the process of finishing their due diligence and plans to make a decision on a tenant sometime in the next two to three weeks. FWIW, JPI does not feel obligated to put a grocer there — apparently, whatever agreement they had w/ the city expired sometime during the Balducci’s fiasco. One name I heard which sent shivers done my spine was Walgreens — ugh!! Maybe NOW is the time to raise our voice just a little before a BAD decision is made…
On the flip side, the butcher at Carroll Square has two stores in VA — can’t remember the name, though — who knows, F Street (along w/ the freshfarm market on 8th) may evolve into Penn Quarter’s “supermarket”…
The “yarn salon” is a local yarn shop that will build a flagship store downtown — perhaps not your (or my) cup of tea BUT a cool (and unique) addition to the neighborhood, nonetheless.
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Comments
Regarding Milania’s comment: You’re confusing the needs of the neighborhood with other forces driving the marketplace. Simple need doesn’t bring the store… there are many other factors keeping the store out(high rent, low downtown population density, very low profit margins in the grocery industry, etc.).
Regarding Jon Gann’s comment: Why aren’t you at liberty to say who is looking at these spaces–if this came up at a public meeting, isn’t it public information?
Congratulations GP, this has to be your most popular discussion yet.
To follow up on Jon Gann’s pontification, I emailed several council members this morning (does that make me “Someone who makes things happen”?). Tommy Wells was out of town, but his office got back to me. Apparently, as a result of this post, he’s made a few calls and is eager to work with us to get the neighborhood a grocer.
Based on a comment I believe I saw here, many months ago I sent an email to say I was interested in attending the PQNA breakfast meetings and never got a response. Where is the information about PQNA, what its goals are, when and where its meetings are, what transpired at the meetings, what else it does, etc.? I have found an attempt at a website, but it won’t even load into my browser. As someone who has regularly attended ANC 2C meetings, PSA meetings, Jack Evans’ meetings, and other neighborhood meetings in the past (when I lived in ANC2C, I now live in Penn Quarter), I find PQNA to be an organization that doesn’t seem easy to learn about and participate in. Who has the info about this group that anyone coming to the neighborhood shouldn’t need to work so hard to discover?
Andy
I seriously doubt the abilility of an email staffer to get us a neighborhood grocery store however well intended he might be. If Marge in Sharon’s office couldn’t get us one, nobody can. I’m looking forward to walking to the new Safeway.
Milania,
The email came from the Councilmember Well’s chief of staff, and I think he’s probably well versed in what the Councilmember is doing.
As for your excitement for Safeway, I thought Peapod was your solution. I’m glad to read you now see the need for a walkable grocery store, even if it means indulging your “high maintenance therapy of supermaket shopping” at a Safeway in the neighborhood to our north. I wish you the best with your bags.
Ok guys & gals, I’m closing down commenting on this post due to excessive flaming of Milania, who arguably deserves it – just not on my blog.
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jordon: I was thinking about opening up an independent grocery store too!