Rumors: Museum Moving In To Penn Quarter, Cowgirl To Start Selling Wine, Comfort One Delayed

Any word on the billiards place near that Comfort One? The sign says they had their liquor license hearing on July 5th. Is their fate tied to Comfort One’s?

Also, to follow up on a comment to another post, there is definitely something going on in the space between Juan Valdez and the Chophouse. They put up a permit for some interior work about a month ago (permit was for Douglas Development, not a specific tenant), and things have appeared inside. It’d be a super-cute clothing store, imho.

Ugh … In a city already full of museums … I would really prefer retail.

I guess “retail” here still means something for tourists. I almost forgot about them until the “most wanted museum” rumor surfaced… silly to think maybe Apple or clothing would come in. Yes, I feel a tad bitter

I think someone should look into the zoning specs. I have heard that a certain percentage of local storefronts need to be arts-oriented. I think that is why it took so long to fill the space between Juan Valdez and Chophouse.

in response to the comment about the city being full of museums and prefering retail…

I’d have to express the oposite….

Our country is full of people who are living on credit beyond their financial means. How about offering people a new museum where they can perhaps learn and experience something new – instead of simply consuming.

Just a thought

I wish Comfort One, frankly, would go the way of BodySmith. It’s a dowdy little store, firstly. Secondly–and more importantly–Washington neighborhoods are all starting to look the same, as far as their retail profiles go. Fuddruckers, Comfort One, Potbelly, City Sports, Marvelous Market, Radio Shack, and Benetton all exist within about a mile of one another off Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle. Penn Quarter will set itself apart when locally-owned, unique-to-the-neighborhood places open up. This is beginning to happen as far as food goes–Matchbox and Ella’s, Exhibits A and B–but it needs to happen more, and it needs to happen in clothes, gift stores, etc. Penn Quarter will become a real attraction when Washingtonians and tourists can find things there that they can’t find anywhere else in Washington or its vicinity.

Why the focus on retail to draw in Washingtonians and tourists? Penn Quarter is home to Smithsonian museums, numerous private museums, art galleries, several theater companies, the Verizon Center, many high-end restaurants, and several arts festivals (Arts on Foot, the Fringe Festival, and now DC Shorts)…. and I’m just getting started. There are already established retail sectors in the area that offer distinctively different retail options–Georgetown, Friendship Heights, Tysons, etc.–while it would be a perk, Penn Quarter doesn’t need retail to make it a destination neighborhood.