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?

Venture Down 14th Street for Sales this Weekend

Yes, this is all happening about 15 blocks south of Columbia Heights but it feels like home since 14th street is part of my daily commute ...

We already know it's going to be hazy, hot, and humid this weekend, so it's perfect weather for the annual Dog Days sidewalk sale along the 14th Street corridor, August 1-2. For 10 years, the MidCity Business Association has organized this sidewalk super sale, but it's more than just finding great deals, there are some pretty cool cultural and community events, too.

The Studio Theatre is holding its Annual Garage Sale on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Hundreds of items from this past season are for sale, including clothing, furniture, and home accessories. Also on Saturday, Washington Improv Theatre is holding its IMPROV-A-PALOOZA 2009. It begins at 2 pm and features 10 straight hours of improvisational comedy presented as individual 10 minute acts. And on Sunday don't miss Words Beats & Life Inc: DJ Workshop at Source Theatre's open house.

Here's a sampling of Dog Days deals from some of my favorite places:

• Cakelove (1506 U Street)- Buy 3 cupcakes get 1 free
• Nana (1528 U Street)- all clearance items are 50-80% off the original price
• Ruff and Ready Furnishings (1908 14th Street)- 25% off EVERYTHING, 50% off all items priced $127 or under. 75% off all basement items.
• Cork (1720 14th Street) and Cork Market (1805 14th Street) - A lemonade stand in front of the new space for Cork Market and Cork restaurant will open early
• Miss Pixies (1626 14th Street) - 20% off all items throughout the store plus free cookies!
• Redeem (1734 14th Street)- Take 25% off all summer merchandise, including an additional 25% off already marked down items.

More information is available here. And be sure you download your "Dog Days Bingo" card to win free gifts.

CVS: The Perfect Spot for Late-Night, Last-Minute Gift Shopping

OK, I wasn’t really gift shopping at CVS around 10:30 pm last night but if I needed to this would be the perfect spot. For the Green Thumb, weed killer was 50 percent off, as well as some sort of garden gnome bobble head doll. Near the back left corner of the store there is a section dedicated to “As Seen on TV” products but sadly not the ever-popular Snuggie or ShamWow. For the less than savvy gardener, though, you could buy a variety of Chia Pets. The biggest surprise though was the gift card kiosk by the greeting cards. It wasn’t in order, but I saw gift cards of varying amounts from major retailers and chain restaurants.

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.

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.

Fun find at d’vines

While you normally find cool window designs at clothing, furniture, and department stores, d’vines also does a great job of showing off its goods. I love the steel wine caddies currently on display. They retail for $55.99 and represent various professions and hobbies. There’s more online at the H&K Sculptures website if you can’t find what you like in the store.

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.

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.

A Review of Radiance

When I first moved to Columbia Heights, I itemized everything I could get within a 1 to 2 minute walk of my place...

Coffee, shipping, tutoring, insurance, money and now... botox?

Radiance Medispa on 14th offers just that, along with a plethora of other services. I'm not really a spa type, and I'm certainly not a botox type, but maybe once or twice a year I indulge. The other day my indulgence was a massage.

The place was incredibly clean, friendly and I immediately felt comfortable. My masseur was very professional and I suppose very good. I say suppose because I thought I was going in for the "Swedish" massage, but it seems my masseur thought it was "deep tissue." Deep tissue kind of hurts, but Swedish - not so much. Either way, I imagine it was a good service, despite the soreness that came with it.

What isn't so great about Radiance is the price list. I paid $90 for an hour long massage. That's not cheap, and if you shop around DC you can certainly find cheaper ($40 facials at the Aveda institute!). But - they do have daily specials and every Friday botox is $100 off! I can't tell how much botox costs to begin with, it just says "$13 per unit," but I guess that's like getting about 8 units free? What's a botox unit?

What I can't figure out about Radiance is who they think their customer is in CH. Those places can't depend on people like me visiting once or twice a year, they need regular customers. Columbia Heights doesn't seem like a place with a lot of rich old people (aka weekly spa customers), and they don't do the smaller services that might get more traffic (mani/pedi).

But good luck to them. Maybe I'll be back next year.

Online: Radiance Medispas