Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Curbed Talks Popularise

Curbed mentions the Popularise experiment in which people can vote on the type of business they would most like to see come to 1351 H Street. Curbed also notes that you can now be part of a hard hat tour of the space. For those who have not been following the votes, the H Street Joodlum is currently in the lead with 288 votes.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is Joodlum really followed by another DC cupcake shop? It seems silly to me that the corridor is still thinking along the lines of bars and crappy, overpriced cupcakes. Some of the retail options seem more like the way to go with such a large space.

Anonymous said...

That is exactly what I was thinking. It sounds like a neat concept for a bar, but I really don't think we need any more of those. I would love to see the Green Grocer or something along those lines go in there. We desperately need someplace for good produce and meats around here!

Dave B said...

I dont get why Joodlum is winning that poll. Sharkey must have friends that vote. It sounds like Sova. Or Little miss whiskeys or Red Palacae or R&R...but with coffee too. Is it bigger than Sova?

Dave B said...

I also dont get why any of these other businesses who "lose" in this poll wouldnt open on H St. Its not like this is the last building on the street. Is this just a game to the West Mill boys as they lose their dad's money? Are they going to let the winner have free rent?

Even if you win, are you bound to open in this space? Can you look for a better offer? You can put that you won a Popularise Poll on the front of your business plan

Silly Popularise

Anonymous said...

These guys are trust fund idiots.

Tom A. said...

I wrote them a pretty scathing email saying that no one in the neighborhood is clammoring for another restaurant- it's just a popularity contest, they should ask people in the neighborhood, etc etc. I got a really nice note in response, saying there's no way that that small space could ever house a gym, and that the neighborhood isn't large enough for a bakery to survive. He also went on to say that they are going to open up the Popularize site to be about more than just that one address. He also said it's clear that we don't want a late night "theme bar."

Rayful Edmond said...

If the space isn't large enough for a gym, why doesn't one open where there is space? It would be sweet if WSC or Gold's opened up in the gym space located next to George's. Heck, keep the equipment there and open the doors to the public.

Anonymous said...

Not a big enough neighborhood for a bakery??? In addition to the huge existing housing stock, how about the thousands of apartments/condos delivering in the next 1-2years? Bakery, Deli, refurbished furniture shop, Tryst-like coffee place, etc etc. I can think of a million better ideas than another bar.

Anonymous said...

Its funny how everyone always goes straight to the "we need a gym" or "we need a bakery" chants when something new opens up. I'd lay money that none of you have ever owned a business. I can think of at least 3 times when Joe E. Or another businessman/woman Has come on this blog to explain why a cupcake shop or gym will not make money on H at this point in time. Believe it or not, businesses are in it to make money. Please just buy a treadmill and stop with the whining. Or use Vida Fitness a bit futher west on K.sheesh

Anonymous said...

i've assumed these Popularise folks are using this voting technique as a way to just collect data with names/emails. that's where some potential money is, having data to sell.

inked said...

3:59,
Disclosing such information without explicit permission would be prohibited under the contract you sign when you join the site.

Dave B said...

i've seen englert's calculation for bakery, but not a gym. would be interested to read it if it exists

Rayful Edmond said...

@Anon 3:01, What does owning your business have to do with informing entrepreneurs whom read this blog that their is a growing demand for a local gym? Sherwood Rec is abysmal and still has a membership fee. I would gladly pay $100/month for a gym on H Street, and as I've gathered from talking to neighbors, many others would too. I've yet to read a single explanation from Joe Englert regarding the economics of owning and managing a gym in NE.

Rayful Edmond said...

*there

Dave B said...

Sherwood is like $120 for a YEAR. It has weights and gravity. It works for me. Actually, it has too many weights as it is a pain in the ass to find a spot to rerack them when you are done.

Anonymous said...

so what if a bakery won the contest? does that in any way make the landlord put in a bakery? i dont see how this popularise site has any sway on who the building rents to.

If Joodlum wins, and doesnt have any capital, what does it matter?

If I were Red Rocks or Durkl .. the two seemingly legitimate businesses interested, I would be looking elsewhere .. I wouldnt want a landlord who leaves the decision of who to do business with to an internet poll.

this whole thing makes no sense.