A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
CP: Old School Clothiers Ponder Their Role on H
George's Place isn't featured in the article, but the store has stood on the same corner for decades, and always has great window displays.
The City Paper talks to Stan's and Men's Fashion Center about what the future may hold.
36 comments:
gentry
said...
Time's change. He hasn't. It's that simple. If he adjusted his wears to fit the neighborhood, i.e. a non-chain urban outfitter like boutique then I'm sure the hipsters and yuppies would shop in droves. Ironic tshirts, kiche, and overly designed kitchen gear woudl sell great. If he insists on selling refrigerators to eskimos then he wont be around much longer
I have never been to Men's Fashion Center, but will definitely check it out. I wear a suit at least once a week and would love to buy from a local place that also does alterations (though can honestly say that I have never owned a purple/green/white suit - that might not go over well where I work).
Wow, instead of knocking the store and their items, try just going in and having a conversation with the owner. You can actually LEARN a lot about the history of the neighborhood, the store, and connect with neighbors that you might not have done so. There's a market for everyone! I wouldn't wear too many things in the store, but i'm glad it's there for those that would like to. Older African American folks are the most open and loving people you could meet. I think your negativity would go away if you gave them the benefit of the doubt, as you are given. fyi, they sell socks you can wear, ties, hats, shirts, cuff links, ect. What makes our neighborhood "hip" is the diversity. You moved to the wrong place if you think EVERY store needs to be yuppified!
I needed a bright red shirt about a year ago. I looked in several stores downtown, including Macy's, but found nothing. I remember asking at Macy's "Do u have any red shirts?" And I was told "NO."
But I walked into George's and they had exactly what I needed! They really came to the rescue that day!
I wouldn't wear too many things in the store, but i'm glad it's there for those that would like to.
Ok, setting aside the anti-yuppie snark, the story is about old school merchants going out of business as tastes and clientèle change. I'm sure that--even though you won't spend a dime at the establishment--the proprietor is grateful for your coming in and chatting his ears off.
What you always get from stories like this (and comments like yours) is that "newcomers" have to make 100% of the effort to try to win over "old timers". Which is questionable even in the best cases, such as getting to know your sometimes skeptical neighbors.
But if I'm selling suits, and I'm going out of business, I'm probably not going to wait around for all of the local residents to show up and break down the doors trying to sell themselves to *me*.
Take a cue from the liquor stores: you want to stay in business, give the people who live here what they want. If the guy were to dial back the flamboyance factor on half his inventory, and aggressively market to the "yuppies and hipsters" (i.e. 80% of the neighborhood), he'd make a killing.
You can still carry a reasonable percentage of crazy-ass suits and hats, but the number of folks in DC who want to dress like Chuck Brown is rapidly dwindling--among all classes and races.
This is no different than, say, Commander Salamander going out of business in Georgetown. DC used to have a big hardcore punk scene; now it doesn't. It's important not to confuse nostalgia with something else.
Anon 9:26. I'm sure the owner of this store appreciates your sentiments and would love to chat with you, but if he doesn't follow the advice of evolving to meet the new demands of the neighborhood, sadly he will soon be out of business. Just ask the wig shop owner at the corner of H & 12th.
hahaha. some of you read this and just think about gentrification and newcomer vs. the been heres.
i think, i wonder if i can get a good price on a style i like. its just a freaking store, and its not like this town is short on a demand for suits. this guy doesn't need to change drastically to maintain, just hit a bit of mainstream trends.
but yes, if you want independent retailers, YOU need to go support them. you can hit your big chains stores, or you can go to these places. i love indy shops, and i feel stupid i haven't tried these guys. why would you not want a suit shop and a tailor in your hood?
It's not exactly the easiest climate for small businesses right now, gentry-friendly or old school. But I guess it's natural for some people in this neighborhood to assume "Old Black People = The Problem, New White People = The Solution"
What history? He has only been around since 88. The history of the hood in that 20 years has mostly been blight and crime up until 5 years ago. Why would I want to learn that?
I think a lot of you missed a key point that was made in the article. The taste of young black men have changed as well. So, even if the neighborhood had no new residents in it, these stores would be facing a signifigant loss in sales.
And, yes, while many black people do have a different style than many white people, one of the keys to the article was there is now a blending of races and styles that these stores aren't moving quick enough to exploit.
So lets cut out the gentrifier versus the old resident in the neighborhood for a while. There are more capitalistic dynamics at play here. These stores are fairly unique in what they provide in DC (from what the article suggested). I am sure they target more than just neighborhood business. Sales are down and its not just because the ten square blocks around this store have more white people.
I hope they do survive because H street actually feels more urban than most of DC. I like the mix of races and styles that make up this neighborhood, and I think these stores add to that. But, in the end, "times are a changin'."
I live on 10th street just north of H and pass by George's every day. Although my husband couldn't get away with wearing the suits in the window to work, I really admire George's for keeping their corner so tidy. The north corner of 10th & H has been for the last five years I've lived here getting better, but by no means do we have the neatest and tidiest corner. And we have that nice little group of seemingly underemployed old men who chill out from about 10am to midnight every day of the year playing dice, drinking, littering and cat calling. So I appreciate that when I cross over to the south side of the street that George's keeps their corner clean. I've seen the employees pick up litter! That's great. Like really great.
I believe the main reason WillPower Gym failed was because he wasn't willing to gentrify. It was too Afro-centric for me so I stopped going. He'd probably be in business today if he had just played more Britney.
What history? He has only been around since 88. The history of the hood in that 20 years has mostly been blight and crime up until 5 years ago. Why would I want to learn that?
You obviously haven't been here longer than 5 years. With the exception of the true shells, most places on H Street have had tenants (albeit not always great ones) of some sort or another since the place was torched.
I hope they do survive because H street actually feels more urban than most of DC. I like the mix of races and styles that make up this neighborhood, and I think these stores add to that...
I am fairly confident a Gap is en route...personally I would prefer a North Face store!
Derek, is something happening at Will Power? That's Anwar's building. He's had interest from various parties, but I haven't heard of anything definite.
$30 open tab to anybody in a pimp suit tonight athe pug. $50 open tsb if they have a georges reciept. Free shot of cheap whisky if you can tell me what clothing store was at the pug. tonyt the pug
Many thanks to tonyt for restoring sanity, some aspect of reality, and whiskey to this thread. Anon 6:37, I have no idea how to acquire sartorial splendor in DC because I'm a fed and haven't bought a suit in the 15 years I've been here. Me thinks my waistline doth protest too much, however, so it is an open question how many more years the old suits can hold out. George's Place keeps that corner nice though.
The building that once housed Will Power was sold at the DC tax auction on Sept 20, 2010, because the owner, Anwar Saleem, had failed to pay the property taxes on it for several years.
11:56, indeed it was. But that doesn't actually mean that he necessarily loses the building. It just means he either pays, or the aspiring owner brings a quiet title case. But yeah, pay your taxes people.
wow I love how H Street is prospering DESPITE people like Anwar Saleem. Ugg.
It should be illegal to continue employment funded by DC government if your job is to improve an area, but then you get your OWN property forclosed on IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD you're being paid to help!
Of course admitting to looting during the '68 riots should ALSO preclude you from this job... but whatever.
9:39, it's a tax sale, not a foreclosure sale. Even post tax-sale you can still redeem by paying the taxes and interest. Not so with a foreclosure sale. Not paying your taxes is bad. But it's a different animal than foreclosure.
Yeah, not paying your taxes is really bad. But why should we feel sorry for people who bought properties at low prices and leave them vacant and/or run-down? At any time, they could have leased the properties - as is - to tenants on long-term, triple-net leases. The tenants would have renovated them, paid the taxes, etc. and the owners would have had to do nothing but cash the rent checks. Some store owners who complain bought their properties so long ago that the real estate cost for their businesses is a fraction of that of new businesses that are succeeding. Why are they failing? These irresponsible people have kept H Street from recovering. They don't deserve our sympathy. They've done as much damage as the riots.
There were a ridiculous number of H Street properties that had tax liens sold on them at the tax sale, some for substantial amounts. The owners will have to pay 1 1/2% per month interest plus costs to redeem them. If they could have paid, they would have redeemed them before the sale. Now they're further out of reach. H Street runs the risk of new speculators obtaining the properties if the owners don't redeem them. The vacant property will sit vacant for more years under new owners.
The number of people posting in this thread about things like "vendor not keeping up with changes in neighborhood" or "gentrifiers vs. old residents" could have saved a lot of effort if they'd just posted "I can't be bothered to actually read the article, but I'm going to stridently post my opinion about what I *want* the article to be about."
The article wasn't about either of those things, dumbasses.
Of course not. But *explicitly expressing disgust* for the owners of these shops because they supposedly have adopted a stance that, IN FACT, they haven't adopted at all is just extra special stupid.
Inked, I spoke with Anwar over the weekend (I work at the lot then and see him every time I work), and he told me is still trying to re-coup the money he lost. He told me the amount, but I would rather him say it. It is a serious amount (at least to me). All the equipment inside became his and is for sale.
36 comments:
Time's change. He hasn't. It's that simple. If he adjusted his wears to fit the neighborhood, i.e. a non-chain urban outfitter like boutique then I'm sure the hipsters and yuppies would shop in droves. Ironic tshirts, kiche, and overly designed kitchen gear woudl sell great. If he insists on selling refrigerators to eskimos then he wont be around much longer
settle down kitten. the owner clearly recoognizes that in the story several times.
I have never been to Men's Fashion Center, but will definitely check it out. I wear a suit at least once a week and would love to buy from a local place that also does alterations (though can honestly say that I have never owned a purple/green/white suit - that might not go over well where I work).
Wow, instead of knocking the store and their items, try just going in and having a conversation with the owner. You can actually LEARN a lot about the history of the neighborhood, the store, and connect with neighbors that you might not have done so. There's a market for everyone! I wouldn't wear too many things in the store, but i'm glad it's there for those that would like to. Older African American folks are the most open and loving people you could meet. I think your negativity would go away if you gave them the benefit of the doubt, as you are given. fyi, they sell socks you can wear, ties, hats, shirts, cuff links, ect. What makes our neighborhood "hip" is the diversity. You moved to the wrong place if you think EVERY store needs to be yuppified!
I needed a bright red shirt about a year ago. I looked in several stores downtown, including Macy's, but found nothing. I remember asking at Macy's "Do u have any red shirts?" And I was told "NO."
But I walked into George's and they had exactly what I needed! They really came to the rescue that day!
I wouldn't wear too many things in the store, but i'm glad it's there for those that would like to.
Ok, setting aside the anti-yuppie snark, the story is about old school merchants going out of business as tastes and clientèle change. I'm sure that--even though you won't spend a dime at the establishment--the proprietor is grateful for your coming in and chatting his ears off.
What you always get from stories like this (and comments like yours) is that "newcomers" have to make 100% of the effort to try to win over "old timers". Which is questionable even in the best cases, such as getting to know your sometimes skeptical neighbors.
But if I'm selling suits, and I'm going out of business, I'm probably not going to wait around for all of the local residents to show up and break down the doors trying to sell themselves to *me*.
Take a cue from the liquor stores: you want to stay in business, give the people who live here what they want. If the guy were to dial back the flamboyance factor on half his inventory, and aggressively market to the "yuppies and hipsters" (i.e. 80% of the neighborhood), he'd make a killing.
You can still carry a reasonable percentage of crazy-ass suits and hats, but the number of folks in DC who want to dress like Chuck Brown is rapidly dwindling--among all classes and races.
This is no different than, say, Commander Salamander going out of business in Georgetown. DC used to have a big hardcore punk scene; now it doesn't. It's important not to confuse nostalgia with something else.
Anon 9:26. I'm sure the owner of this store appreciates your sentiments and would love to chat with you, but if he doesn't follow the advice of evolving to meet the new demands of the neighborhood, sadly he will soon be out of business. Just ask the wig shop owner at the corner of H & 12th.
Gentrifiers with cushy bureaucrat jobs give the best business advice: "ME ME ME"
hahaha. some of you read this and just think about gentrification and newcomer vs. the been heres.
i think, i wonder if i can get a good price on a style i like. its just a freaking store, and its not like this town is short on a demand for suits. this guy doesn't need to change drastically to maintain, just hit a bit of mainstream trends.
but yes, if you want independent retailers, YOU need to go support them. you can hit your big chains stores, or you can go to these places. i love indy shops, and i feel stupid i haven't tried these guys. why would you not want a suit shop and a tailor in your hood?
It's not exactly the easiest climate for small businesses right now, gentry-friendly or old school. But I guess it's natural for some people in this neighborhood to assume "Old Black People = The Problem, New White People = The Solution"
Anon @ 9:26:
you said: Older African American folks are the most open and loving people you could meet
Chris Rock would disgree with this
Anon @926,
What history? He has only been around since 88. The history of the hood in that 20 years has mostly been blight and crime up until 5 years ago. Why would I want to learn that?
Man,
I think a lot of you missed a key point that was made in the article. The taste of young black men have changed as well. So, even if the neighborhood had no new residents in it, these stores would be facing a signifigant loss in sales.
And, yes, while many black people do have a different style than many white people, one of the keys to the article was there is now a blending of races and styles that these stores aren't moving quick enough to exploit.
So lets cut out the gentrifier versus the old resident in the neighborhood for a while. There are more capitalistic dynamics at play here. These stores are fairly unique in what they provide in DC (from what the article suggested). I am sure they target more than just neighborhood business. Sales are down and its not just because the ten square blocks around this store have more white people.
I hope they do survive because H street actually feels more urban than most of DC. I like the mix of races and styles that make up this neighborhood, and I think these stores add to that. But, in the end, "times are a changin'."
D
I live on 10th street just north of H and pass by George's every day. Although my husband couldn't get away with wearing the suits in the window to work, I really admire George's for keeping their corner so tidy. The north corner of 10th & H has been for the last five years I've lived here getting better, but by no means do we have the neatest and tidiest corner. And we have that nice little group of seemingly underemployed old men who chill out from about 10am to midnight every day of the year playing dice, drinking, littering and cat calling. So I appreciate that when I cross over to the south side of the street that George's keeps their corner clean. I've seen the employees pick up litter! That's great. Like really great.
@commie:
Gentrifiers with cushy bureaucrat jobs give the best business advice: "ME ME ME"
Go buy yourself a pimp hat. Seriously, knock yourself out.
speaking of that corner, what is happening with Will power?
I believe the main reason WillPower Gym failed was because he wasn't willing to gentrify. It was too Afro-centric for me so I stopped going. He'd probably be in business today if he had just played more Britney.
What history? He has only been around since 88. The history of the hood in that 20 years has mostly been blight and crime up until 5 years ago. Why would I want to learn that?
You obviously haven't been here longer than 5 years. With the exception of the true shells, most places on H Street have had tenants (albeit not always great ones) of some sort or another since the place was torched.
Gentrifiers with cushy bureaucrat jobs give the best business advice: "ME ME ME"
Bashing gentrifiers...how original!
I believe the main reason WillPower Gym failed was because he wasn't willing to gentrify.
This neighborhood is not ready for a boutique gym, even if it caters toward crackahs.
Old Black People = The Problem, New White People = The Solution
I am a firm believer that people = problem. Haven't all the hipsters finished killing themselves yet?
I hope they do survive because H street actually feels more urban than most of DC. I like the mix of races and styles that make up this neighborhood, and I think these stores add to that...
I am fairly confident a Gap is en route...personally I would prefer a North Face store!
Derek,
is something happening at Will Power? That's Anwar's building. He's had interest from various parties, but I haven't heard of anything definite.
what is an Afro-centric gym?
gents,
where do you get your suits?
$30 open tab to anybody in a pimp suit tonight athe pug. $50 open tsb if they have a georges reciept. Free shot of cheap whisky if you can tell me what clothing store was at the pug.
tonyt
the pug
Many thanks to tonyt for restoring sanity, some aspect of reality, and whiskey to this thread. Anon 6:37, I have no idea how to acquire sartorial splendor in DC because I'm a fed and haven't bought a suit in the 15 years I've been here. Me thinks my waistline doth protest too much, however, so it is an open question how many more years the old suits can hold out. George's Place keeps that corner nice though.
The building that once housed Will Power was sold at the DC tax auction on Sept 20, 2010, because the owner, Anwar Saleem, had failed to pay the property taxes on it for several years.
11:56,
indeed it was. But that doesn't actually mean that he necessarily loses the building. It just means he either pays, or the aspiring owner brings a quiet title case. But yeah, pay your taxes people.
wow I love how H Street is prospering DESPITE people like Anwar Saleem. Ugg.
It should be illegal to continue employment funded by DC government if your job is to improve an area, but then you get your OWN property forclosed on IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD you're being paid to help!
Of course admitting to looting during the '68 riots should ALSO preclude you from this job... but whatever.
9:39,
it's a tax sale, not a foreclosure sale. Even post tax-sale you can still redeem by paying the taxes and interest. Not so with a foreclosure sale. Not paying your taxes is bad. But it's a different animal than foreclosure.
Yeah, not paying your taxes is really bad. But why should we feel sorry for people who bought properties at low prices and leave them vacant and/or run-down?
At any time, they could have leased the properties - as is - to tenants on long-term, triple-net leases. The tenants would have renovated them, paid the taxes, etc. and the owners would have had to do nothing but cash the rent checks.
Some store owners who complain bought their properties so long ago that the real estate cost for their businesses is a fraction of that of new businesses that are succeeding. Why are they failing?
These irresponsible people have kept H Street from recovering. They don't deserve our sympathy. They've done as much damage as the riots.
There were a ridiculous number of H Street properties that had tax liens sold on them at the tax sale, some for substantial amounts. The owners will have to pay 1 1/2% per month interest plus costs to redeem them. If they could have paid, they would have redeemed them before the sale. Now they're further out of reach.
H Street runs the risk of new speculators obtaining the properties if the owners don't redeem them. The vacant property will sit vacant for more years under new owners.
The number of people posting in this thread about things like "vendor not keeping up with changes in neighborhood" or "gentrifiers vs. old residents" could have saved a lot of effort if they'd just posted "I can't be bothered to actually read the article, but I'm going to stridently post my opinion about what I *want* the article to be about."
The article wasn't about either of those things, dumbasses.
yes, we're dumbasses for expressing our opinions.
must we only respond to the text at hand?
Of course not. But *explicitly expressing disgust* for the owners of these shops because they supposedly have adopted a stance that, IN FACT, they haven't adopted at all is just extra special stupid.
HTH. HAND.
Inked,
I spoke with Anwar over the weekend (I work at the lot then and see him every time I work), and he told me is still trying to re-coup the money he lost. He told me the amount, but I would rather him say it. It is a serious amount (at least to me). All the equipment inside became his and is for sale.
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