Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Yes! Organic Market Coming to Old H Street Playhouse Space

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The future site of Yes! 

My confirmation on this one is about as strong as it's going to get short of actual construction. The rumors are true, we are totally getting a Yes! Organic Market on the East end of the H Street Corridor (1365 H Street).  As Aaron Wiener (AKA Washington City Paper's Housing Complex) pointed out, they still have to work out some financing details, and deal with the Historic Preservation Review Board, but  this really looks to me like it's going to happen. At this point, there is a contract in place, but it has contingencies clauses allowing Yes! to cancel if, for example, HPRB says he cannot make it work.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Score!

Xavier said...

No indication as to what the potential time table for this would be, is there?

inked said...

Xavier,
Not yet.

HM said...

Yes! So excited for this.

PNB said...

I'm amazed by the high prices this place gets away with (at least the one on Barracks Row). Quite a bit more expensive than Whole Foods even. But, I guess there's Safeway and Giant for those concerned about cost...

SustainableDC said...

I agree PNB MOM's would have been better but this will be nice in a pinch!

Tom said...

High prices? Yes! undersells everyone in the only key factor important to me...Flying Dog Double Dog 6 packs.

Unknown said...

Hmm, my hunch about the space was right. Cool, it will be a welcomed addition.

Anonymous said...

I'm excited but...where are we going to park? In the Atlas District, parking is scarce. It may be time for a parking garage on H.

Liz said...

Take the bus!

caroline said...

The prices aren't that high. Like Whole Foods they do carry a lot of high quality/specialty products that command a high price tag, but you can usually find a regular version of whatever you need that's normally-priced.

pat said...

i was hoping it would go in with the unsafeway.

Liz G. said...

Yayyyyyyy!

Unknown said...

The prices aren't that high. Like Whole Foods they do carry a lot of high quality/specialty products that command a high price tag, but you can usually find a regular version of whatever you need that's normally-priced.

Exactly. Much like WF, Yes! gets a bad rap on prices. People come in and ignore comparable items, then see WF has, say, Jamon Iberico at $42 per pound, but "Hey! I can get Safeway Select brand boiled ham for $4 per pound at Safeway!

It's antagonism that there exist luxury food items than a reasoned comparison of prices between stores.

Dad said...

There's going to be an increase in double parking in front of the store.

Any word on what's coming to the space next to Ross just down the street at Hechinger?

Anonymous said...

...provisions allowing Yes to cancel, if for example- a MOM's Organic Market store opens up right down the street...

hillite said...

I'm tired of hearing about the prices at the Yes! on 8th St being comparable to other stores. They are not; they are A LOT higher for the same vegetarian items I can get at the Safeway (i.e., Amy's products, Boca, etc). Higher by as much as $1.00! For example, a half gallon of Silk soy milk at Safeway ranges from $3.29 (on sale)to $3.99. The same half gallon of Silk is $4.99 at Yes! I don't know what products you all are comparing, but on items I buy almost every week, Yes is much more expensive. I consider Yes to be an organic market with convenience store prices. I'm glad to have it in the neighborhood, but don't kid yourself, it's not a good value for regular grocery shopping.

PNB said...

Agreed, hillite. I understand that economic realities mean that small, local stores often need to charge more than big chains like Safeway. But, in a number of cases Yes! prices are even higher than some of the local convenience stores - for example, P&C Market, of all places, charges less for Trickling Springs milk; and many of the higher-end six-packs of beer offered at Yes! are cheaper at the convenience store at 8th and F NE. (sounds like this isn't the case for Flying Dog though...). I suppose it's always good to have more options, but the markups at Yes! seem excessive.

shoeguydc said...

Now I need to decide whether to open my shoe store (family/comfort) closer to the restaurants/clubs or closer to 4th street NE

John said...

I wish the Playhouse never left. A shoe store would be great - displace one of the shops at 8th & H.

Alan Page said...

"There's going to be an increase in double parking in front of the store."

There was a Yes on Pennsylvania Ave, I never noticed double parking in front of that location.

I think most of the shoppers who go there will be from the surrounding neighborhood (i.e. walking or biking). There is a small paid parking lot where H and Florida intersect, maybe Yes can arrange something with that lot for its customers to get free parking with validation?

I love their organic selection, so I'm hyped!

Alan Page said...

"Now I need to decide whether to open my shoe store (family/comfort) closer to the restaurants/clubs or closer to 4th street NE "

I think you might want to angle for either specialty sports shoes, designer womens shoes or business shoes, because there are a glut of casual shoe stores near the intersection of 8th and H. Good luck!

Unknown said...

You can take a free street car to buy expensive food!

shoeguydc said...

Thanks for the advice folks. For starters, I'm going to carry kids shoes. Something nicer than payless or shoetown. My market research has shown that most parents won't by kids shoes on the internet because of fitting concerns. By asking all sorts of people I knew (or saw) with kids I basically confirmed that research. Except for Nordstroms the only shoe stores with kids selection are near the Avalon Theatre at CC Circle or in upper Georgetown. I figure the folks east of Rock Creek should have an easily accessible kids shoe selection. Regarding adult shoes: between market research and asking everyone in sight: Dansko, Camper, Tsubo and and a surprisingly high number of request for Neil M and Tods (mens) and Naturalizer. Also, I didn't know so may ladies wore smaller than size 5 and so many guys were 15's and 16's. None of you have much luck finding shoes in smaller sizes and larger ones. So I plan on stocking (if I can convince the manufacturer's) womens 2.5-5 and 12-16. And Mens 5-7 and 14-17. I mean I can't please the world, but if I can make good friends and provide good service I'm halfway there...

litigatrix said...

A kids' shoe store would be awesome. Dawn Price has a very small amount, but right now they don't even have sandals in stock for spring/summer!

Alan Page said...

@shoeguy There are lots of families in the neighborhood. It should be lucrative to corner the kids' shoe market for sure. Once again, good luck!

Anonymous said...

@shoeguy the west end where I live seems to always be teeming with kids... Both from the neighborhood and capitol hill moms walking over from there. I think it'll be the better side of H st for retail

Unknown said...

Alan Page, I'm leasing 1425 H Street NE...I'd love to have your shoe store there. Give us a call at miprealestate.com