image uploaded to Flickr by PetitPlat Food Art - Stephanie Kilgast
After many discussions about the lack of true bakeries and sweet shops, it looks like the Hill will soon have more than we may know what to do with. On 8th Street alone we will soon have Hello Cupcake, Sweet Lobby, 32 Below (frozen yogurt) and Spring Mill Bread.
Spring Mill Bread, the latest to be announced, will sell bread and baked goods in the space on the corner of 8th and G Streets, SE, where Cricket Wireless used to be. And just up the street near Eastern Market we’ll have Pitango, which will serve up gelato, just in time for our summer ice cream cravings (hopefully). And these new spots are coming on the heals of the house made treats at Ted’s Bulletin, and the pastries you can already get at our numerous local coffee shops.
Now I wonder who will bring us a running store? Maybe balance out the fact that we have TWO bike shops on the same block? Or a sports store like City Sports so we can have the gear to work off all of those delicious calories. Think about it — once Blockbuster closes, that spot will be perfect for a medium-sized retail store that fits that need!
So what are you most excited about or what would you like to see move onto the block?
I would love a Paper Source or some other paper goods/crafty store. I also sew quite a bit and Stitch DC doesn’t have much beyond yarn, so a place that carried embroidery canvas, hoops, thread, fabric, etc. would be nice. Lastly, if there was a shoe store that sold Keens, they’d make a killing around here.
I think a Sephora or something like it would be a lovely, albeit girly, addition.
@kate
Actually, there was a crafty type store on 8th for a bit; they were called Ipso Crafto. They did not do so well. I think they were there maybe less than 2 years?
A store that sold Keens would be terrible. We’d become Dupont with a Comfort One Shoes on every corner. No thanks.
Blockbuster is a great mystery to me. How does this outlet (or any of them) continue to exist? I know of absolutely no one who “rents” dvds.
I’ll say what no one else want to say but what everyone really wants — Apple Store
Ugh…leave the Apple Store in Georgetown thanks. The semi-annual gadget release creates mayhem and lines worse than those every day at Georgetown Cupcake. I think a City Sports would be a good addition for that space – they sell a range of brands and for a range of activities. Boutique shops are great to infill where the general stores leave off.
@Kate and @beth b I think one problem that the craft store had was that it was on the 700 block, which gets the least amount of foot traffic. That block has been the most challenging for retailers because of that lack of foot traffic. It’s improving, especially now that more restaurants have opened there and Chateau has moved there, but it was particularly bad when they were there. I do think a craft store would do well but in the right spot and with the right assortment of merchandise.
City Sports would be a fantastic addition!
I agree with the suggestion of a craft store. It would be great to have something with a wide-variety of items for sewing, scrapbooking, etc.
What better foot traffic than gobs of ‘early adopters’ with disposable income waiting in line? Have you seen the typical Apple geek? They’ll take turns holding each others places while they create concurrent lines at the various pastry shops.
Wake up.. A chain store would suck. No thanks re: Apple, or city sports.
-A great bagel place would kill it
-A place like South Moon Under but think mom&pop and think DC stuff but trendy & proud
-kick out Baskin Robbins and put in a Creamery
-A place like Cheestique in Del Ray
-@plankstar1
@plankstar1
Because the independent bagel joint at 3rd & Mass NE is so great? I’d even take Bruegers over that.
CH already has TONS of chain shops nearby. Quiznos, Kinkos/RedEx, Radio Shack, BR/Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Subway, Popeyes, Motophoto, Mattress Discounters, Pan Quotidian . . . not sure where chains are somehow excluded from renting commercial property if the landlords wish to lease within line with applicable zoning.
I’m agnostic on whether or not that’s good for the Hill, but don’t see how you “kick out” any of them.
Ipso Crafto did not have a large enough space to have much of a selection. In order for a craft store to survive here it needs to cater to a specialized group of crafters like Stitch DC does. Maybe a fabric store, or a place that sells scrapbooking supplies? I would love to see something like that!
We DO need a running store, but not city sports! Maybe the locally-owned Pacers?
Antone have a date for the sweet lobby opening?
I would LOVE a craft store. I have a DC-focused craft blog (www.idlehandsdc.com), and I hate always having to drive out to the suburbs to get supplies. Ipso Crafto was kind of small and oddly laid out, but a fabric store would be great. There’s a great store in Brooklyn called Home Ec that has a home and gifts store in the front and a sewing studio in the back. Something like that would be awesome.
@claudia @caroline i absolutely agree. (re: location & size) i do more sewing than scrap-booky type stuff. And it aggrivates me every time I need a zipper I have to drive to Virginia.
SHOES! For the love of g*d, this is a walking neighborhood! Seriously, other than eat, there’s nothing I do more than walk. We’ve got plenty of places to nourish ourselves, get a buzz, get fat, get caffeinated, and get a haircut. How about a store to keep my tired feet comforted?
Comfort One is a “chain store?” Personally, if you don’t have an outlet at Tysons Corner, I don’t think a store qualifies as a chain.
The business model is sound. Stocking Keens would pay the rent with a solid customer base already on the Hill. Sell kid-sized Crocs and you’d be able to break even. Stock some snazzy, walking-friendly ladies shoes and you’re now pulling a profit.
I still stare wistfully at the Starbucks on 8th and remember the days of the Payless store…where I could pick up a pair of shiny flats on my way home from work.
I have no interest in crafts, other than stocking items I need to help my kid complete her school projects. Shoes. We need shoes!
I know someone in my family who would enjoy a place that sells Fluvogs and Simples.
Does anyone know whether the new bakeries on the hill will actually have ovens to do their baking on the hill in the store? Or will the “product” be trucked in from some other location. Personally, if I can’t see an oven I wouldn’t call it a “bakery”. I’m kind of sick of the stores and restaurants on the hill that don’t make their stuff fresh in house. And yes, I realize that places like Starbucks and others may have fabulous baked goods suppliers. But a true bakery should be held to a higher standard.
On a similar note, I saw people clearing out the People’s Church last night. Anyone know what that will become? Looks like a big space.
The Hill could really a movie theater as well! Maybe a small independent one like that theater in Old Town.
And I have to agree with Jill that a shoe store would be handy. Most of my shoes are so worn down that they’re dangerous to walk in, but getting out to VA is such a chore. In desperation I dug around the shoe bins at Clothes Encounters the other day, but they didn’t have anything small enough.
Also a good kebab place! I work at the Navy Yard, and my coworkers sometimes make lunchtime excursions out to Crystal City just for the kebabs.
Wait, Jill, you don’t think Comfort One is a chain store? There are what, 20 of them in the area? And, FWIW, there is one at Tyson’s. There is also one right at Union Station, so not that far from Barracks Row.
A small movie theater.
Oh, and you guys might hate me for saying this, but I would love a GOOD dollar store like the Dollar Trees they have in Virginia (not the horrible one that’s already on Barracks Row). I still go out there once a month to stock up on toilet paper, doggy poop bags, cleaning products, wrapping supplies, things like that.
How about a paint your own pottery place?
re: People’s church… National Community Church (who operate Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse at 2nd and F NE) purchased the property and takes official ownership in June. I heard there are plans to hopefully use it as a movie theater at some point.
1. running/sports store
2. movie-draft house
3. wood furniture studio-made on site and sold.
4. outdoor shop like blue ridge mtn sports/rei
I’m trying to think of businesses that aren’t food oriented.
Having a shoe store doesn’t mean it HAS to be a Comfort One. Why does everything have to automatically fit the mold of a pre-existing chain store? If it sold Keens, my husband and I would most certainly patronize it because we use ours year ’round. I like @Jill’s suggestions because having both comfy walking shoes as well as cute flats would cover many shoe needs.
I would also love a movie theatre. Maybe two screens tops, show later runs for a slightly lower price than AMC, have decent popcorn, and I’d patronize it.
I think a movie theater similar to the West End Cinema would be great.
What are Keens?
I’d like a shoe store where I can get sturdy basic black pumps– I go through a pair every couple of months and it’s too expensive to get them fixed.
Keens= really ugly shoes. Sorry but it has to be said.
Keens=rugged Crocs=really ugly shoes
Keens = “ugly” for some yet very comfortable shoes you can walk/hike in whether its to work from the Hill or Paris for seven days.
Some folks value comfort and craftsmanship over looks. I’m not about to suffer for fashion’s sake and a shoe store would mean one less empty storefront.
Oh, ok. I’m the type who wears heels to walk the dog (or walk around Paris for that matter) so I guess that’s why I haven’t heard of them. I’m always surprised there aren’t attractive shoes for people that have foot problems.
How about a great book store – like a Politics & Prose or Kramerbooks?
I have a pair of keens…and they are indeed ugly!! Strictly for rafting purposes.
Kate…ugly does not equal impractical. Dansko’s are ugly too, but I have a pair and find them delightful. That being said, I wouldn’t wear Dansko’s for 7 days in Paris, just like I wouldn’t fly an American flag from my fannie pack while in Paris.
I have a few thoughts:
1) I know there are a ton of “food” places but what about Chipotle? Another thought is Jimmy John’s (yes I realize there is a Subway right down the block). I just feel like there a lot of places to “sit down” and eat but few that are good for those who are “on the go”
2) If retail is the path we want to take what about lululemon athletica or possible Ann Taylor Loft?
Is blockbuster actually leaving? We still use it! They come in the mail and we switch them there.
@LB — thanks for chiming in. You’re right that it’s all speculation given BB tenuous state with bankruptcy and mass store closings elsewhere. I genuinely didn’t realize anyone still uses BB. For many people a Redbox rental box may meet their rental needs. Personally I use Netflix.
SG, I think the southern end of 8th Street would be perfect for some on-the-go food options. I work at M Street and there really aren’t many options for lunch, unless you have a lot of time to walk and/or sit down somewhere. There’s already a Quiznos, but something like a kebab place or one of those make-your-own salad spots would do really well.
I am confused by the implication that you have to drive out of town to get shoes. There is a Comfort One at Union Station as well as a Shoe Woo. Between them they cover a range of shoe types.
If you need running shoes, try the Model’s at the confluence of H St. and Bladensburg (in the back of the mall).
As for sewing supplies, G St. Fabric in Georgetown is a short circulator ride away. (And Ipso Crafto had some sewing supplies…I bought a lot of basics there but the owner lost the business during the beginning of the recession when people cut back on that kind of spending.)
I never drive out of town for these kinds of basics.
It’s the same dilemma as in Adams Morgan or the East Village. Everyone gets upset that there’s only bars and restaurants, but those businesses can compete on location — you can’t get a beer with friends on the internet, but you can get a pair of pants. Rental rates then get priced for these more lucrative businesses.
On 8th Street, you have limited weekday foot traffic, very few other businesses to pull in shoppers, a demographic that is very internet-savvy, and I-395 nearby. You’d have to have a special business model to compete in bricks and mortar retail — something built on expertise where people will go out of their way, and pay more they would than online (e.g., Frager’s).
Running stores tend to have loyal customers and limited stock, so that might work.
I would love to see a Pacers here! Even some other running/sports store would be great. Granted, if that happened I could probably kiss half my paycheck good bye. I usually have to trek out to Clarendon or Pentagon City when I want to buy running gear. And I don’t count the Model’s at H and Bladensburg. It’s way too far to walk and I don’t have a car, and taking a bus would probably take just as long as metro-ing somewhere else. Plus, they have a poor selection of running gear, even compared to City Sports.
Some other type of shoe or clothing store would be great too. There are a few at Union Station, but they’re mostly chains. An independent boutique (that wasn’t crazy expensive) would work well in this area.
You’d think that independent boutiques would do really well in Adams Morgan, but it’s very hit or miss. Vintage stores seem to get by, but new clothes stores come and go — keeping a good rotating selection, without getting stuck with unsold inventory, is a delicate balance.
Comfort One wouldn’t work. 8th Street is not Dupont.
@gina a: Baking is an industrial operation, and these days generally takes place in industrial settings. It’s really difficult to make a single-site storefront bakery work financially, given the high upfront cost of ovens, the high product volumes needed, and high retail-space rent. Many places that do have an oven within view (e.g., Subway) are just par-baking: the bread is half-baked elsewhere, frozen, then finished on the premises. The taste is *almost* indistinguishable.
To take your logic further, you’d only patronize coffee places that roast on site, or bars that brew on site, or butchers that slaughter on site — all of these are certainly possible to find (and often very good), but there are very good reasons why we’ve separated those uses in most instances.
In any case, I’m very glad to see more bakeries anywhere in town!