DSW in Columbia Heights on Hold or Still Happening?

Last year, we posted about the possibility of DSW coming to Columbia Heights. A job posting on the shoe retailer's website indicated they were hiring a store manager for a DCUSA location. Now a review of the store's job listings only show positions for area Virginia and Maryland stores; nothing in DC.

But this week, the Prince of Petworth wrote about a tipster who says otherwise.

What say you: Will we ever get a new anchor store in DCUSA?

Rep. Polis in the 'Hood

Out and about Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) says he barely ever gets to leave the Capitol area, but he did mention Columbia Heights as one of the DC 'hoods he's managed to hit.

I'm going to guess since he's new in town his visit was for the DCUSA shopping. But I like to think that maybe he also visited the Ruby Tuesdays Salad Bar (we haven't mentioned that place in a while - had to work it in!).

From Metro Weekly:

METRO WEEKLY: How are you settling in, both with Congress and the District?

REP. JARED POLIS: Well, as a member of Congress, we don't get to see the city that much. Probably 90 percent of my life is just within a few square blocks of here -- the Capitol campus and where we live. I walk four blocks to work. But my partner and I really enjoy our excursions into Washington. We've been to Columbia Heights, the Dupont Circle area, Georgetown -- we enjoy going out when we have the chance.

Sign Goes up for Chicken and Steak

Before grabbing lunch at Pho 14 Sunday, we noticed the sign for Desi's Chicken & Steak is now up. There is a lot of work going on inside, but it still looks a few months away. There has been only bits of news about the restaurant but luckily the Google came through with some more information. An interview with the owners was in the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights newsletter last year:

 

The Camacuari's have been in business for over 16 years and own three other Peruvian eateries in Maryland and Virginia. Their success is credited to their recipe and motto "to bring back the best of Fine Peruvian Cuisine; creating innovative dishes with incomparable Peruvian flavors." Dishes like their Aguadito de Pollo (chicken soup made in the traditional Peruvian style) and their Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) fits the bill.

 

And reviewers on Yelp are liking the Falls Church location.

All Around the Neighborhood: Pancakes, Crime and Love

Pancakes! Maybe... Prince of Petworth is reporting some "scuttlebutt" that IHOP is considering coming to DCUSA. The big question, says ArtBart, is how late it would stay open. The Heights Life has long supported a 24 hour restaurant to save us from 2AM CVS mac and cheese purposes. And hey... pancakes! Did we mention the many kinds of syrup?

Crime! It's warm out, which means more people on the streets and an inevitable crime spike. The Heights Life witnessed a good amount of police activity around the neighborhood this weekend. Yesterday evening, three police cars raced up 14th at ridiculous speeds. And the CH Yahoo Group has two disturbing reports. One person asked about shots fired in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon. Another says there is a groper in the neighborhood.

Love! The CH News Forums are notoriously nasty. Last year a group of forum posters held a happy hour to try to engender a little forum love, but DCDireWorlf and broNat continue to battle with CH Kool Aid and New2CH. Alas, one friendly forumite has decided to seek some common ground based on universal support for escalators at the Metro and universal hate for zombies. As of this update, nobody has joined in the attempt at forum community building.

Ellwood Thompson's Store Opening Delayed

It looks like Giant will still be the only grocery store in Columbia Heights. As reported by Washington City Paper and DCist -- Ellwood Thompson's has put their DCUSA store opening on hold.

“We believe that DCUSA in Columbia Heights is an excellent location choice and are eager to serve this community, which is a perfect fit for our products and philosophy. However, with this delay we are acting prudently to keep our company sound during these difficult times for retailers. We continue to work with DCUSA on a timetable to locate there," said Ellwood Thompson's owner Rick Hood on the company's blog.

This is unfortunate news for DCUSA and its tenancy. The most recent additions to the retail complex were the Bank of America and Panda Express, and Desi's chicken looks to be the next expected opening. But after that, who knows. But the real question is, does this mean a revival of the Whole Food for CH petition?

And just for an interesting comparison of where things were almost three years ago, here is the proposed tenant list and layout for street level.

Ellwood Thompson's Update

This isn't much of an update on our promised grocery store, but in case you don't walk down Irving between 14th and 15th (where Ellwood Thompson's is slated to go), here is what they are saying:

My ongoing disappointment with Washington Sports Club

A few months ago, I changed my gym membership to the Washington Sports Club at DC USA. I liked my old gym a lot but having one just a few minutes from home worked much better for my schedule. My expectations were low due to WSC's reputation, but I am having a hard time finding anything good about it at all.

• There is still no cardio machine sign-up board and waiting in line for a treadmill or Precor is common on each visit for me. Have you ever been to the gym when it wasn't crowded?
• The quality of the group classes fail on each try for me. With the exception of the lunchtime yoga class on Mondays, but I can only take that on work holidays.
• The free weight area is a free-for-all; I often end up standing and using the window as my mirror.
• Very rarely do I see someone wipe down an exercise mat, on the main floor or in class. Eww.

How is your local gym experience?

DCUSA Readies for Holiday Shoppers

The holiday shopping season has arrived at DCUSA. Snowflake lights cascade over the escalators; a small stereo plays Christmas music on the lower level (but whatever was playing at 7 am this morning, it was quite depressing); and Port-a-Johns are coming for Black Friday shoppers. Brags Councilman Jim Graham:

I worked with Metro/WMATA to secure the early opening of Metro on Friday at 4 a.m. instead of the usual time of 5 a.m. Other plans include store specific lines for early bird shoppers, access to restrooms before stores open and street entertainers.

 
DCist has more info.

DC Now Part of Google Street View

Google Maps has finally introduced street view for DC. I already found my apartment and car, but the most interesting view is that of 14th and Irving streets. Set your view in the middle of the intersection and it is a fairly recent picture, but start heading east or west on Irving and it flashes back to over a year ago. Check it out for yourself.


View Larger Map

Target Prepares for Sale of Beer and Wine

A Sunday evening trip to Target brought about a welcomed surprise: beer and wine is finally on its way. An aisle in the grocery section of the store may have empty shelves for now, but prices are already posted. Target is advertising American lagers, domestic brews, and international drafts and prices look comparable to Giant and the like. Wine takes up the other half of the aisle, including picks for less than $12 and the awesome Wine Cube.

Based on space alone, the selection is smaller than that at Giant. And you miss the great recommendations and conversations that you get at d'vines. But the addition of beer and wine at Target adds another level of convenience to the store.

Firetrucks at DC USA

BREAKING.

The Heights Patio--Fire trucks arrive at DC USA this evening and those in the retail complex were told to leave. Situation is developing.

"Get 'yer dishes, knives, and blenders here!"

Additional signage for Bed Bath & Beyond at DC USA was being installed
on Friday evening. Now everyone heading north of 14th Street will know
where you can get your kitchen needs.

Columbia Heights Shoe Shopping: A Rant in 200 Words

In the two months that the inexpensive shoe triumvirate of Target, Marshalls, and Payless has been in operation at DCUSA, I should have purchased at least three pairs of cute, cheap perfect-for-summer shoes by now. Except, in fact, it’s been the exact opposite:

• While the Columbia Heights Payless has a lot of shoes in my size (something that the Metro Center and Adams Morgan stores do not), their summer styles just don’t suit me this year. Or they don’t have the shoe I want in stock. Where is this shoe, Payless?!
• Marshalls' shoe department continues to surprise me, but between May and August black heels are the last thing I want to buy. Give me embellished sandals!
• This weekend Target’s shoe department was full of empty shelves because they removed all the shoe boxes, with the exception of anything by Converse. A call to Target as to why they no longer use shoe boxes was not answered, but it certainly doesn’t help an already quiet corner of the store. Also, has anyone else noticed this Target rarely puts its shoes on sale or clearance? I used to have the best luck getting good deals at the Potomac Yards Target, but not yet at Columbia Heights.

Get your papers, pens, and printers on May 24

Staples is coming! Staples is coming! The sign on the door reads, opening May 24, so start making your shopping list. Here are The Heights Life we are hoping to get some snazzy pens and a hole puncher.

RESPONSE: Spud Lite here. Although ArtBart seems psyched about this Staples business, I must wonder... between Target and Best Buy, aren't the Staples goods covered? And with Fed-Ex Kinkos right across the street, don't we have the office crapola market saturated? I'm just guessing that my new pens will be Target pens. Back to you ArtBart!

Vitamin Shoppe: So Much Whey!

The Vitamin Shoppe opened last week, full of powders and pills to make your hair grow and your muscles bulge.

So today, The Heights Life went to see what pills we could pop for some self-improvement. The grand opening means everything is also on sale! How could I resist discounted fish oil?

Around and around I went, protein powder here, fasting tea there, raspberry pills all over. Wait... raspberry pills? Why not just eat some raspberries? I think maybe I don't understand the Vitamin Shoppe.

Regardless, here is a little video. Note: Despite our weeks of anticipation, you actually can't find Metabolife on the Shoppe's shelves. Oh well, that stuff is probably really bad for you.

We Have Pizza! But Metabolife? Not so much.

As first reported by ArtBart a few days ago, Pete's Apizza opened today in Columbia Heights.

I have not yet consumed the pizza, but I promise ArtBart and I will head over to capture some local video ASAP.

The openings have been coming more rapidly these days, WSC, Payless, Pete's. What's next? My best guess - the Vitamin Shoppe. Or maybe that's just because I need my Metabolife and won't take "closed" for an answer! Where are you Vitamin Shoppe?

UPDATE: Mattress Discounters on the Park Road side of DC USA is open. Anyone want to go and jump on beds?

I See Cheap Shoes! Run!

ArtBart reports on the opening of Payless in Columbia Heights.

The sign barely went up, and already our discount shoe bastion is open and operating.

Apparently the women of Columbia Heights took quick notice, because ArtBart says it was jam-packed earlier. The good news: lots of shoes, cute ones, for about $10-$20 a pop.

Crickets on the CH Listserv

As any subscriber to the CH listserv, or any avid reader of the Craigslist "Rants and Raves" section, knows, there was a disturbing report of a mugging in the DC USA parking garage published online.

This blog has, up until this point, declined to write about it because we were waiting to see if this was just another rumor, or if Inspector Delgado would confirm the report.

On Sunday, someone sent the item to the CH listserv. The same day, Councilmember Jim Graham asked Inspector Delgado to review the report. And since then, nothing but crickets on the listserv.

We checked the 3D substation crime reports and saw nothing that looked like this mugging, so why then have we not had this rumor put to rest or confirmed? Why has it been two days since anyone responded? What happened to Councilmember Graham's concern? Do you, fellow CH residents, think we should expect a quick response on this question, or should we leave Insp. Delgado and the rest of the 3D officers alone to fight crime? Does the whole listserv have a right to know? The Heights Life comments section is open for discussion.

An update from the comments section: "For what it is worth -- I received an email from CM Graham & Insp. Delgado. MPD did follow up on this rumor with the shopping center and there have been no reports of muggings in the garage. Apparantly people just enjoy spreading these rumors and wasting community resources. I don't know why people do this -- perhaps they are anti-development or just enjoy sowing the seeds of controversy, but it is incredibly irresponsible. MPD does have an obligation to respond to the community's concerns. But folks really need to be aware that much of this talk about predators roaming the DCUSA garage and stores is false."

WSC Update: Pre-Sale is On, Opening is June 1st

Washington Sports Club is taking orders and giving tours. I called to ask about the actual opening and was told June 1st, with hours of operation expected to be from 7AM until 10PM.

Alas, still another month before the stair-climbing begins, but at least it will be open before the sweltering DC summer hits hard. Though I must take issue with a 7AM opening time. Is there any gym in DC that opens that late? Most gyms start their classes as early as 5:30AM (U Street Results, for example). Hopefully that's just the soft launch?

Here's the email they sent out to those who registered for updates on the WSC website:

Hello Spud Lite,

Thank you for joining our WSC at Columbia Heights VIP list. We would like to let you know that we will be starting the pre-sale season tomorrow Monday April 21st from 9:00AM to 9:00PM. Also, let your friends and family know about this great news. Please email me back or call me at 202 986 2281 to make an appointment and give you a tour of the facilities or if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to hear from you,

Gonzalo Perez-Tamayo
General Manager
Columbia Heights-WSC

Update: The WSC hours should be better than I thought. Rumor has it the open time on weekdays will be 5:30AM, not 7:00AM as I was initially told.

What to wear when you shop at Target

A few months ago, before Target opened, I was in CVS one evening and joked that this felt like college. Especially based on how I was dressed: flip-flops despite the cold weather, yoga pants, and an old sweatshirt. I think I was buying odd things as well, like toothpaste, laundry detergent, and plastic-wrap. However, once Target opened I upped my game.

It is my goal to always shop at Target in not my best attire. Comfort and even grunginess is the key here. Those yoga pants I mentioned above, have made at least four trips to Target so far. My circa 1998 powder puff T-shirt, you are more than welcomed past the big red entrance. Same goes for messy hair, sandaled feet, and a bare face.

It's that what makes Columbia Heights and all it's retail, restaurants, and bars great. They are truly neighborhood spots and ones of such convenience. Who cares how you look.