Six Hot Retail Stores Coming to DC
Whether located in newly created town centers, former warehouses or revitalized malls, area residents will have more places to spend their money. Here are six of the most-anticipated stores in the pipeline.
1. Local Motors - 3D Printed Car Co
What: It's the world’s first company to build and sell 3D-printed cars.
Where: National Harbor
Who: Scott Peterson Co
Details: It will be a 40k SF micro-factory, lab and showroom where people can participate in building products and vehicles. The company is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
The cool factor: It’s the first micro-factory and showroom on the East Coast and the company’s first location to debut its fleet of 3D-printed cars.
Bonus Buzz: Now when a mechanic says you need a dubious sounding part, such as an ethylated simmer gidget, you can reply, "Great, I'll just print my own."
Opening: 2015
2. Nike Factory Store
What: An outlet store that sells athletic apparel
Where: On New York Avenue in the former Hecht warehouse
Who: Douglas Development
Details: This will be a 15k SF factory store. Most are in outlet malls, but this one won’t be.
The cool factor: It's part of the historic Hecht Company Warehouse transformation.
Bonus Buzz: AT Nike in DC, everyone wants to be like Mike (Dukakis).
Opening: April 2015
3. Francesca's
What: Trendy women’s clothing boutique
Where: On M Street in Georgetown
Who: H & R Retail
Details: 1,800 SF. It’s the store’s second location in DC, with another at Union Station. Plans to be a flagship store for the Mid-Atlantic. Will occupy part of Bistro Francais right next door.
The cool factor: A mid-level price range store in Georgetown to buy party and special event dresses or handbags.
Bonus Buzz: The store sounds enough like an Italian restaurant that you can tell your partner you're going there without them realizing you're shopping for more clothes.
Opening: 2015
4. REI
What: REI is a specialty outdoor retailer catering to the area’s adventurous outdoor community, including skiers, snowboarders, cyclists, campers and climbers.
Where: Uline Arena in DC’s NoMa neighborhood, 1100 3rd St NE
Who: Douglas Development
Details: 51k SF. It will be the company’s fifth flagship store. In addition to retail, REI will include immersive experiences with in-store classes. The store will occupy the entire first floor.
Cool factor: It's on the site where the Beatle’s held their first concert in the US and where President Eisenhower hosted his inaugural ball.
Bonus Buzz: The site is also where Thomas E. Dewey held his inaugural ball because, bless his heart, nobody wanted to tell him the Chicago Tribune was wrong.
Opening: 2016
5. Canali
What: A luxury Italian suit maker
Where: CityCenterDC, 978 I St NW
Who: Hines
Details: Canali’s first store in DC, as the area hopes to lure luxury shoppers. CityCenterDC will be a sprawling 10-acre, 2.5M SF mixed-use development.
The cool factor: Helps put DC on the map as far as being a luxury shopping destination. Other Canali stores are in places like New York, Miami and Beverly Hills.
Opening: 2015
6. Wegman's
What: Greatest grocery store in the history of all time.
Where: Alexandria off Telegraph Road
Who: Weingarten Realty
Details: The 126k SF store will be in the Hilltop Village Center and employ 550 people. It will be Virginia’s seventh Wegmans, and the grocer has plans to open more in Chantilly, Charlottesville and Greater Richmond.
The cool factor: It will be the first Wegmans in Virginia to offer a full-service restaurant named The Pub.
Opening: June 2015
