No More Chunky Monkey In PQ?

If competition was the culprit, I’m glad to see that a local retailer outshined a national chain, and was rewarded for it. That doesn’t happen enough here in DC.

I think if it came down to Gifford’s and B&J, Gifford’s was the natural choice.

Having to walk through the gift shop to get to B&J’s was never an attractive option. Plus, most people just passing by would never know that it was there.

But more than that, the prices and portion sizes at B&J were outrageous. You could get double the ice cream at a decent discount next door at Gifford’s.

Hooray for Giffords. I like Ben and Jerry’s a lot, and I think they are a great company, but I am happy for the little guy in this case. I always found it sad that all those tourists would choose B&J when such a great local option was right next door. I really like that I can take my dog right up to the take out window.

Also a silver lining, now the visitor center has more room for garish souvenirs and over-the-top tchotchkes. That place is such a hoot, with the rotating Lincoln sculpture, talking Bush and Carter dolls, and military figurines in heroic action poses, flanked by eagles or angels. It’s like something out of The Simpsons.

I call the WWC, the TFPC. translated, that’s the Tourist Fly Paper Center. “I’m stuck here waiting for my topless bus and I can’t leave. help me!” every major city’s got one. what would a visit to DC be without tchotchkes…FBI hats for everyone !!!

joking aside, tourism is a part of DC’s economy so I personally appreciate the coin they spend. with the $ in the dumps, my thinking is we’ll see more Euros coming our way.

You know I think that many of the B&J are closing down, I notcied that the one in Clarendon closed recently too, maybe they realized that B&J is best out of the carton in front of a TV, not out of a cone out in the real world!

Seth

every time an ice cream shop closes… they dance in hell…
..ok..maybe they are dancing because its hot.. but.. nonetheless.. im glad giffords will benefit.. and… wwc..is a great place for christmas shopping…
i like to attach DC tchochke to all my presents.. of course..now that i think about it.. i am kinda like the simpsons too.. doh!
xoxo

What ever happened with the Chocolate Lounge (C3 Fix?) that was supposed to come to PenQUarter?

c3 Fix is supposedly still coming – some work being done on their space but it does not seem particularly close to being ready – maybe late fall / end of this year?

There were construction workers finally doing work on Asia9 in the Artisan building this past week.

Also saw some construction workers recently in the c3fix space.

On the B&J’s issue, I always hated seeing tourists coming out of there with $5 cones when Gifford’s is so much better AND local (though the prices are about the same). There’s a B&J’s in the Old Post Office for those needing their fix.

C3 is still coming to PQ. My (future) sister-in-law is going to be one of the pastry chefs there. Never fear, it is on the way in late fall.

The Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop next to Avalon Theatre closed at the end of September as well.
A letter in the window (from the Avalon) said that it issued a statment on the 28th that it was ceasing operation immediately. It was operated by a youth charity.

Sounds like a number of them closed about the same time.