Comments on: Does Ross & Marshall’s @ DC USA = Low-Rent Columbia Heights?

By: Wayan

Wayan — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 11:54:34 +0000

Otavio,

Thanks for the welcome, I am all for being local – someone who integrates themselves with their community, no matter if they’ve been here a year or a generation. If people didn’t move, it would be a boring town full of those you wish would leave. Wait, that’s Baltimore.

And from what I’ve heard, Ross isn’t official. Only the great desire of DC USA to have a full complex as soon as possible, neighbourhood desires be damned.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:28:22 +0000

What’s the big deal about Ross? I mean, it’s obviously not unique clothing to define you, but they have some decent clothes (and other stuff too). Granted, it is a little bit ridiculous to think people would want to spend their hard-earned money on something else besides clothes (especially given the rising rent costs in the District).

By the way, Old Town has a Ross. They seem to be doing okay.

By: otavio_dc

otavio_dc — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:58:01 +0000

Hey Wayan,

It’s nice that you’re here for the long haul. I welcome others to be here for the long haul.

i like vibrancy, and I like different types of people living in one area.

I know everyone can’t be a native Washingotnian, but it sure sounds nice to keep adding more to the pot!

Has Ross even been officially announced yet as a tenant in DC USA? Or is this rumour?

And, what does “Bling Bling Giant” mean? hehe

By: dcres

dcres — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:12:38 +0000

OK. I’ll grant the Ross probably won’t be selling me a shirt with 3 sleeves, but it’s only a small step up.

By: Tiff

Tiff — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:49:36 +0000

OMG, DCRES, you did not really just invoke “Gabriel Brothers” in this conversation. LOL. Now there’s some memories… A little unfair to Ross, perhaps. They’ve never tried to sell me a dress with a big chunk cut out of the hem.

By: dcres

dcres — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:44:42 +0000

I agree. I’m fine with Marshalls/TJ Max/Loehmans/etc. Two of the three are in Friendship Heights. There’s obviouly a market for such stores, but Ross is awful. They might has well put a Gabriel Brothers in (subtle shout out to Western PA).

By: sara o.

sara o. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:37:23 +0000

I love me a bargain store but… Ross just sucks dude.

I can’t imagine why ANYONE would want to shop there. Crappy department store clothes at prices they should have originally been sold at. Every Ross I have ever been to was just aisles of disorganized crap. Who wants that in their neighborhood?

By: Wayan

Wayan — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 05:57:44 +0000

Adam,
Changed the quote, sorry about that.

Otivao,
I too did not buy in DC to make a quick buck, I am here for the long haul. But rising property values are good for everyone involved, no matter when you are going to sell. Increasing values are the best signal that a neighbourhood is desirable and give pride (and equity) to owners, incentivising them to take care of their community.

Also, please don’t have a DC residents need to be DC-by-birth mentality. The very vibrancy of our city requires a constant influx of new blood, like me! And we are the ones pushing to change the shopping mix from dry cleaners & liquior stores to Target and the Bling Bling Giant.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:29:23 +0000

Hey! The quote noted as RJ Mauch’s second quote was mine, not his.

Anyway, fine, we won’t get high end retail. We’re not G-town (yet, if ever). But still, there is no thought being put into the selection of stores coming in. I already mentioned the drycleaners (3 in two blocks) and the banks (5 in three blocks). Then there’s the cell phone stores, garbage fast food, etc etc. I know that the developers simply want tenants that pay rent, but please – how about looking to create a great development? 500K sq ft filled with Foot Locker, Lane Bryant, Mattress Discounters, etc etc? Is that the legacy this developer wants? I should hope not…

By: otavio_dc

otavio_dc — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:46:09 +0000

But, I don’t want to go to PG Plaza to shop for this stuff. The city is pushing this type of development from an economic standpoint as well as for people to be able to buy their TVs, phones, socks, and shower curtains in the City.

The economic sustainability of the City is at stake. More retail tax revenue that stays in the city or comes into the City, the better. Space is limited. DC has an underserved retail market. It is a statistical fact. Keeping revenue producers out of the City because you think it is ok to drive out to the suburbs or take the subway out to the surburbs is not the answer!

And, if you’d like to discover a little more specialty retail (Independent) shopping in DC, their is a nice book out called “Unique Places in DC: An Insider’s Guide to Shopping the District’s Indie-Boutiques” by Crown Guides. You can pick one of these up at any of the indepedent book stores in DC like Olsons or at the bookstore located in Busboys and Poets on 14th Street. It is a nice, handy guide.