Comments on: Development at 14th and T, NW

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:28:18 +0000

Since when does Dave Chappelle qualify as a local businessperson? He lives in Ohio. He left DC in the dust long ago.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:18:57 +0000

My hope is that Room and Board will be like a shot in the arm for the street. Like how Starbucks can help drive traffic to an area and ultimately help a mom-and-pop’s business, this might actually help some of the area’s shops, simply by drawing bigger crowds to the area.

More on that here: http://districtschmistrict.wordpress.com/2008/11/21/the-14th-and-t-showdown/

By: Christina

Christina — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:46:42 +0000

What comment thread were you reading? Who the heck is “whine cry”-ing? Almost every single post was neutral-to-positive on Room and Board coming to that space, saying that it’s better than a vacant building.

By: anoneemoo

anoneemoo — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:57:01 +0000

you all have NO IDEA what drives development.

jeeesus.

development is complicated. and NONE, i mean NONE, of your responses reflect an understanding of why things happen.

you think mr. local boy tryst is getting financing in this market?
nope!

you think mr. international furniture company might be able to?
yep!

but just barely!

whine cry all you want, forces far beyond what you want drive all this stuff…we’re all merely pawns…

By: criss

criss — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:37:50 +0000

I like Room & Board.

By: RD

RD — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:08:23 +0000

“I think it’s great that the district resembles the soul-less suburbs more and more with each passing year. Who cares about local businesses as long as we can have the same manufactured crap they have everywhere in this country.”

How many people can afford custom furniture from a local carpenter? Furniture is just one of those things that is going to be mass manufactured so it can be supplied at a low price.

By: DCzSlimmest

DCzSlimmest — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:49:15 +0000

Room and Board is a great alternative. The NYC location is beautiful and the furniture is actually quite accessible. I’d equate it to a high-end Ikea although not quite as minimal. The reality is that 14th is now a furniture district so why not encourage this transformation. Trust me, the food and beverage will follow if the foot traffic picks up.

By: FourthandEye

FourthandEye — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:44:19 +0000

This is almost like getting mad at an old IT professional for moving into your condo building because you were hoping for the hot coffee barista who qualify for the mortgage.

By: Drewlove

Drewlove — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:36:51 +0000

I’m surprised at the complaints that there are already too many furniture stores on 14th and that it looks like the suburbs. Furniture is not like groceries, when shopping for furniture people go to multiple stores to browse and compare. Retailers realize that if they are close to their competitors they will get more traffic. That said, it appears 14th street is becoming a furniture district, like the shopping districts of NYC. To me it’s a sign that DC is becoming more urban. I think the glass is half full.

By: New2CH

New2CH — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:13:27 +0000

It’s a good store with reasonable prices, a lot more afforadable than many of the high end boutiques in that area, with very good style / quality. I am happy for it myself. As others have said, there are a ton of vacant spaces (I can point folks to PLENTY in Columbia Heights) that will likely remain vacant for many years in this economic climate .. I wish this place was coming into DCUSA rather than the 1/3 of the space that will continue to sit vacant, for example.