Some Thoughts About Giant

Today I offer three thoughts about the Columbia Heights Giant.

Thought 1: Why am I such a sucker for bonus card savings? Bags of shredded cheese are on sale 2 for $5... do I really need 2? No. But they are on sale... One still costs just $2.50... but they are 2 for $5. Of course... I get 2. Anyone want to come over for cheese and crackers? Nachos maybe?

Thought 2: Today I checked out in lane number 10 which is designated as "family-friendly." I guess this means it's not covered in candy as the sign said something about "good choices." It was, however, still full of gum, the same magazines, and had cookies locate precisely at the child eye level. I call BS.

Thought 3: Remember how Giant represented at Columbia Heights Day, sending over members of their team all day long and dishing out their delicious soft cookies? That was awesome.

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.

The Allegro's PR Firm Knows How to use a Thesaurus

I’ll get to the ridiculousness of the “Desire” opening gala in a minute, but check out the phrases used in a press release about the new Allegro apartments on 14th and Newton.

• urban residential sanctuary
• cosmopolitan-inspired residences
• dramatic 297-unit ultra luxury apartment building

The developers think it takes this much superfluous language to sell a new rental apartment building? Apparently it also needs a gala grand opening celebration. A DJ, the “Velvet Allegro Cocktail Competition,” and more, is all yours to experience on April 22. There’s even a cheesy [read: strikingly evocative sensual milk-product] website at http://www.allegrospaces.com/desire/

Hidden in all this is the real news—Thai Tanic one of my favorite Thai restaurants is opening up Thai Tanic II in one of Allegro’s retail spaces.

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!

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.

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.

CH Retail Investigation: The Results

Columbia Heights is buzzing with business today... or, perhaps it's more accurate to say that CH is buzzing with attempts to create business in the future. There were crews putting up signs around DC USA, work being done inside the new WSC, and the CH hot dog stand is back!

Washington Sports Club - Monday? Sort of

The doors are open and the machines are lined up, but the sweat will have to wait. I was told WSC would open on Monday, but that's only to sign up new members. Workouts won't begin for "another few weeks."

I managed to snap this picture before being walked out.

D'Vines - Divinely Dark

Despite the rumors this blog helped monger, D'Vines is still dark. Garbage bags cover the windows and nary a soul was milling about inside.

For now, the Giant wine aisle will continue to suffice.

Payless- Signs of Progress

Payless has added some signage and crews were working hard on the front of the store.

The land of BOGOHO (buy one, get one half off) is sandwiched between Radio Shack and the main DC USA entrance.

Hot Dog Stand - New Spot, Same Dogs

The hot dog stand that used to populate some sidewalk space outside Mayorga is back from vacation and now stationed outside of Staples. Is it just me, or does a hot dog stand make the whole neighborhood a little friendlier? Everyone likes hot dogs, expect for those of you who like tofu dogs. Moving on...

The Vitamin Shoppe - Waiting on Metabolife

I have no idea when this place is supposed to open. The signs have been up for a while, but I've heard next to nothing on it.

Today's investigations yielded little beyond a few Fed Ex delivery slips. Apparently nobody has been around to collect the incoming shipments of fish oil capsules and Super Duper Weight Gainer.

Tivoli Square - Nothing New

There is life beyond DC USA in this area, so I ventured north to check out what's new at Tivoli Square. The answer: not much, but there is a sale at Nash's sports.

Also, it seems all the shops in this area are Obama fans, including Cinnabon and the salon.

CH Retail - Spreading Like Bunnies

This weekend's shopping addition: Radio Shack! Welcome to Columbia Heights, Radio Shack. Good luck staying open with Best Buy bearing down on you. Despite your street access, I'm guessing my electronics loyalties will lie elsewhere. But welcome. May you soon be replaced by a sushi place.

In other retail news, I'm not one to make false promises... so I refuse to commit to a date on this next shop - but know that the opening of D'Vines seems imminent! You can do it D'Vines! Please just do it already. We drank our last bottle of Pinot on Saturday night! WE NEED YOU!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled Sunday Target shopping.

CH Openings: Don't Be Fooled

When I saw bodies moving about inside Potbelly at 9:30PM on Friday night, I assumed the place had opened. It's appeared ready to go for days.

Alas! Don't be fooled like I was. Friday night activity does not equal open.

Potbelly opens tomorrow, Monday, April 7.

Elsewhere in our ever more bustling slice of metropolis, Staples put some signs up, though they still lack shelves. Word is they won't open until May or June.

D'Vines, sadly, is still sitting there, ready to go, without a single bottle of wine to show for it.

Radio Shack looks promising and may open soon, though paper still covers the windows.

And today, Best Buy lacked the Target traffic. The line was non-existent when I checked out, but the store is quite fabulous. Here is a peek inside in case you haven't been:

Welcome to the 'Hood, Best Buy

And then there were four...

Best Buy opened in DCUSA yesterday, joining Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Marshalls in our NW DC behemoth.

With the opening came Mayor Fenty and Councilmember Graham - both dropping a few bucks to get things started.

DC Wire humorously recaps the mayor's attempts to go digital with a new camera. Hopefully his new camera will capture more than some of our local crime cameras.

And for our area's weekly ad click here.

Update on Retail Openings

I was reading the Columbia Heights News forums this afternoon and came across some opening dates for DC USA, Kenyon Square, and Park Square retail:

March 20 - Marshalls
Will its shoe collection and prices rival DSW? I hope so.

March 20 or 21 - D'vines
One of my favorite stops in Adams Morgan and thrilled they are coming to the neighborhood.

March 27 - Best Buy

March 27, at the latest - Julia's Empanadas
Its website lists the Columbia Heights location hours as 10 am - 8 pm, but hopefully they will stay open later.

While heading to work this morning, I saw that progress is being made on the Potbelly's at the Highland Park metro entrance. Does anyone have news on opening dates for this and the other food venues and restaurants there? Is it still June?

Surprise! Bed Bath & Beyond Opens

Bed Bath & Beyond opened in DCUSA today with little fanfare and no real announcement.

I noticed the shelves filling up but was clueless that the opening was coming so soon after Target.

According to ArtBart, the best bargain shopper I know, the new store has a health and beauty section like the Chinatown location. ArtBart says that BB&B usually has better prices than the competition, so that section is certainly worth a look.

Marshalls! Best Buy! Oh My!

Soon, very soon, that $600 TV and those 75% off shoes will be available in our very own beloved Columbia Heights.

As of this morning, the CH metro station is saturated with signage promoting the opening of the next big things at DC USA.

You can expect Marshalls to open at 8AM on March 20. And Best Buy is set for March 27 at 6PM. Both are opening on Thursdays, just in time for some Spring weekend shopping.

So, Bed Bath and Beyond? Where are ya?

Coffee in Columbia Heights

For most city residents, having a local coffee joint is a must. There are those who are Starbucks loyalists no matter how much the chain raises its prices, and there are those who will only drink cup of free trade coffee at an independent shop. As retail in Columbia Heights continues to expand, so do your choices for a cup of joe. Check out the map below for where to get your caffeine fix when taking 10 minutes to make coffee at home just won't do.


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Councilman Jim Graham - NoVa Hater?

Could it be that our city councilmember feels the same way we do about the suburban black hole that is Northern Virginia?

In an email to the Columbia Heights listserv on the topic of the new Target, fearless leader Jim Graham said:

What we believed has proven true, there is a great pent up interest in shopping in DC rather than having to go outside our boundaries. And that is good news for local prosperity!

Good news for local prosperity, sure... but bad news for the big box abyss just across the Potomac! RIP NoVa.