5th & Shepherd store

[from the Editor]

The corner store at 5th and Shepherd has always been a dreary underachiever to say the least. A few neighbors and I have long discussed how to help the store become a community asset rather than a liability. Just recently (at the last Great Streets meeting) I learned about the city's reSTORE DC program, which helps small businesses revitalize. I've been in touch with their office and hope to set up a meeting for next week.

As part of the process, it would be great to compile resident comments, especially from those who live within a few-block radius. Have you ever shopped there? If so, for what? If not, why? What kind of improvements or merchandise would you like to see? What would make you want to shop there? The exterior and interior are both in need of physical/aesthetic help, how about some design ideas? Lighting? Landscaping? A couple of outside tables and chairs?

The new owners and staff are very nice and receptive, and are already trying to upgrade the place somewhat. Recently they've added a new sign, an ATM machine, fresh coffee... They also take plastic now, which the previous owners didn't. Even as we try to enlist some city aid for them, it's not too soon to show some encouragement. If you live nearby and have a chance to drop in, feel free to ask for the owner(s) just to make friendly contact, the woman is often there in the mornings.

Comments

[Bill]

And by the way, the store got tagged with graffiti the other day. A big special thanks to Merrit Drucker who came out to help us clean it up Sunday (actually we ended up painting over it).

[Bill]

A quick followup after the meeting - as I expected, no city money will be readily available to help the store owners upgrade. But reSTORE DC did offer a lot of good input on how to make this a successful grass-roots approach.

More details to come later, but one key point stands out - the time to support this store is now, not after some future magical transformation. We can't say, 'I'll shop there once they have this-that-the other...'.

Already I see new, better beers in stock: Stella Artois, Beck's, Sam Adams, a Chinese beer (can't remember the name...).

The new business owners (Malessa and his wife Tegest, hope I spelled right!) are very decent people doing their best with a property that has not been maintained well for quite a while.

There are still one or two possibilities out there for finding money for physical/aesthetic improvements. In the meantime, if the community shows support - by buying things and letting the owners know (directly, not just here) any product suggestions - progress will come naturally.

[eric]

We've lived up the street on Marlboro PL for three years. I've been in the 5th and Shepard store twice and found what I needed once.

Just to second all that has been raised before my post. Healthy alternatives and key "pantry" goods are what's needed. We lived at 4th and east capitol prior to coming to petworth and we would go to out corner market 3-4 times per week. Eggs, semi-gourmet cheese, a head of lettuce, 1% milk, intersting wine, starbucks coffee, peanut butter and pasta were jsut some the items we'd happily go in and buy. The key is to stock a little bit of everything that is key and don't stock mountains of awful, high-fructose juice. Be selective and thoughtful and we will come. I've always felt like the corner markets in petworth did not respect their clientel and in turn the clientel did not respect them. if you have a store that says "come in, we care about you and want your business" then people will come for more than their 40's.

[Bill]

Thanks to all for the great feedback. I have a meeting tomorrow with the reSTORE DC office to see what's possible. I'm going to print out and bring this thread as a sampling of community support and interest.

Just to temper expectations, my impression is that a store like this may fall outside of many gov't aid programs (like Great Streets and others). I'm optimistic that reSTORE DC will help with getting an action plan together as far as bureaucratic advice, technical assistance, etc. At that point, we can approach the owner with an informed set of suggestions and go from there.

In the end, we're probably going to need residents who are willing to donate some expertise and/or sweat equity. I actually think that's a healthy approach, as it will make this more of a community collaboration ('barn-raising'?) instead of just a handout. For actual funds we may have to ask the ANC.

In any case, watch this space, I'll keep everyone posted.

[John]

Everyone wants them to get rid of the bullet proof glass protecting the cash register. I agree that it's less than appealing, but is that a reasonable request. Most of us have iron bars over our doors and windows. And there was a gun related murder over on 8th and Taylor just last weekend. I would encourage the store to improve its facilities as well, but only as far as the community can support it.

[Murphy]

I think they should orient more to the street, and think they could do it without a public space permit for cafe seating (we spent a lot of time and effort on the process for Domku last year; I think it's more appropriate - and therefore more easily permitted - for a restaurant situated on Upshur than a corner store on Shepherd).
Anyway, some design ideas:
- landscaping that would encourage use of the lead walk off Shepherd, and discourage the 'cut through paths' which have worn out the grass from the corner to the door.
-exterior signage and advertising that's better integrated with the facade and improvements.
- bigger windows (without 24 hour bars), a bay or vitrine that gets more transparency inside to out, and outside to in.
- the windows will require a rework of the display strategy inside; right now, it's piled against the outside walls; it would have to work b/tw windows, maybe with taller shelving at part of the center aisle, but should encourage more connection into and through the store.
- the cashier and check-out should be on the party wall, so there's a more immediate visual connection with the door (and of course the 'safety cage' should go).
-Activity upstairs: I'm not sure if there's an apartment up there or not. But tenants with a stake or concern in what's happening downstairs would encourage eyes on the place while the retail portion is closed.
...so that's 2 cents worth...

[G Cook]

I'll second a bunch of previous comments and make a few others...

-Exterior landscaping improvements important to draw customers. Could start quite simply and "grow" (no pun intended) from there. Possibly Petworth Garden Club could come up with a design?
-Cigarette signs from outside should go
-Overall more healthy food choices BUT KEEP all the fun stuff for kids
- No outside seating
- Bullet proof glass should go
- New flooring

I applaud the new owners in their efforts to begin the improvement process AND for Bill to get things moving forward with community input and potential city services that could be taken advantage of.

Based on the number of posts, this certainly is something a lot of neighbors have thought about and are keen on seeing improving.

[J.Con.]

The store is almost certainly not be licensed to have sidewalk seating.
If they get rid of the plexiglass and start selling some healthier items, their business will explode with customers. No one supports the up and coming retail spots like Petworth!

[Susan]

I've never been in there because I can't really see inside and it looked kind of iffy, but I'd love to have it fixed up where you could get an idea of what they sell by looking in. I agree that stocking wine would be a plus as well as fresh bread and veggies. Personally, I'd love a decent salad bar in the neighborhood, but don't know if that would be financially feasible. And yes - bulletproof glass in a place makes me go somewhere else.

[Reyn]

I'm so glad and appreciative for the initiative on this! Quick thoughts:

For the interior:

- a good scrubbing :)
- level and expose the concrete floor
- expose the brick walls
- re-paint the ceiling
- simple, high metal shelves that would discourage dust build-up
- fewer "cold beverage" fridges
- good lighting
- no plexiglass

For the goods:

- good, fresh bread (I know where Firehook has its bread baked, and I think they sell to small establishments across the city)
- a few basic fresh fruits and veggies
- wine
- loose candies by the quarter pound

[Atiya Frame]

I am 33 and I grew up at 5th & Sheperd. The corner store has always been a fixture, as it is in many DC neighborhoods. As children we loved going there for 2 cent candy and ice cream in the summer. As an adult, I often pop in for a soda while visiting my parents. I don't think the neighbors in the immediate vicinity would appreciate cafe style seating outside. It is still a residential neighborhood. Moreover, I agree with an earlier post that this seating would encourage loitering. Improvements to the interior and exterior would help and fit in with the overall shift toward beautification in our neighborhood.

[Chris]

Great idea! I just moved onto Shepherd Street and would love to see some improvements.

I think that improving how the outside looks is the number one priority and will attract more customers. Given the large area outside, outdoor seating would be nice but the owners would have to watch the area for loitering. Inside the store, the current lighting and the bulletproof glass should be the first to go. I live within shouting distance of the place, so please let me know how I can help you.

[Wayan]

Since that store is now my local, I've been using it a bit and it so needs a makeover. Off the top of my head I would say:

1. outside landscaping
2. remove the plastic barrier inside
3. have product on shelves, not floor
4. stock wine (MD doesn't count)

I was impressed by the beer selection (Red Stripe!) and the openness of the staff, but I would caution against outdoor seating. It would only encourage loitering. If you want to chill outside, that's why we have great porches.

Next time I go in, I'll have a chat with the staff.

[Randi]

It would be nice to have some healthier food there. Maybe add more fresh fruit and veggies. It seems like space could be better used (go higher on the walls) so there could be more variety offered.

And it would be great if they could improve security enough that the bulletproof glass enclosure around the checkout area could go away.

I'm looking forward to trying the coffee!

[Bill]

I'd be interested in knowing why so many stores have those big cigarette banners all over the outside. I assume they are paid something to put them up. Maybe some city money could help offset that and they could be taken down? Would certainly make a big difference visually.

[Susan]

In the past I've also seen postings like this about the convenience store next door to Domku. It would be great to include them as well. When I lived in Adams Morgan I loved the little corner store at the intersection of Adams Mill and Lanier - they had such a great selection for such a tiny store and would carry items on request. They were also in a business association of Korean businesses that would order merchandise together. I would really love to see these businesses lose the bulletproof plexiglass - I wonder if just being able to afford a better security system would help. Also, has anyone considered trying to get a voluntary agreement on single serving sales of alcoholic beverages in Petworth? Agreements like that are in place in Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant - in Mt. Pleasant in particular I noticed a huge positive change in the neighborhood when that went through.

[Markus]

The only time I've ever been there was to get a gatorade on a hot day last summer. Once inside, it just seemed pretty sketchy. They need to upgrade the lighting, for one thing.

[Kevin]

The new owners have been working hard to spruce up the inside and upgrade the store's offerings. I have a hunch they would welcome help with the outside. They are a nice, charming couple who seem to really want to make the business a success both for themselves and the neighborhood.

[Cliff]

thats funny - just a few days ago I was walking past that store and I though that it could be so nice if they did some landscaping, cleared the windows so you could see in, maybe even added 2 or 3 small tables to sit and drink coffee at. It has a pretty big yard area, it could be made really attractive.

[Joey]

Could you post how to do similar work with neighboring establishments in my general proximity (5th & Emerson)? Maybe a name and number to contact or email address.