Ready, Set, Run! P Street Retail Shuffle

Many is the time that I have commented to Mrs. 14th & You that I wondered how stationery store The Written Word managed to remain in business in such a high-rent location as the 1400 block of P Street. They hardly ever seemed to be open, and the selection was a bit strange.


Well, as it turns out, they no longer are open have moved to a new location at 1926 17th Street. Coming in July to the space next to Logan Tavern is the latest branch of local running store chain Pacers. Combined with female athletic apparel chain Lululemon a little further down the block, you will be able to have most of your athletic apparel needs met on P Street (guys may have to do a little searching)--thus allowing you to burn off the calories you are no doubt putting on during your frequent trips to Pitango and the new Whole Foods Grill. (And if all of that credit card swiping has got you stressed out, head across the street to Flow Yoga for a little peace of mind.) DC didn't earn the title of America's Fittest City for nothing, you know.

Speaking of Whole Foods, they are in the midst of some rather significant renovations to their store. You've probably already noticed the change to the outdoor sidewalk seating arrangements, which actually took their seating capacity down by about 30 people (believe it or not), but actually makes for a more enjoyable experience. Next on the agenda: significant interior renovations, including a new mezzanine level cafe, new prepared food stations, an artisanal pizza oven (which is all the rage these days), and other store improvements. Borderstan has the full run-down.

According to the store's GM, the renovations should be complete by November. In the meantime, they will be kicking up some dust in their store, and warn that "some items might not be in their normal location". Which means you may have to go a bit out of your way to find the Weird Spiders section.

SweetGreen Opens Tomorrow

The latest entry into the Logan dining scene opens tomorrow. SweetGreen, the DC-based salad and frozen yogurt shop, will be open for business as of noon tomorrow at their new P Street location, located across from Whole Foods in the Metropole building.

SweetGreen's menu consists of a variety of gourmet salads, such as "the bondi" (arugula with chicken, avocado, sweet corn, hearts of palm and wasabi peas) and "la scala" (romaine, salami, mozzarella, chick peas, grape tomatoes and chopped basil). The frozen yogurt comes in one flavor--tart--and can be dressed up with any number of combinations of fruit and other toppings. The Logan location is their fourth; other locations are in Georgetown, Bethesda and Dupont.



It will be interesting to see whether SweetGreen will be able to carve out a niche for themselves in their new location. With Pitango Gelato right next door, it's questionable how much P Street needed a fro-yo place, and the presence of Whole Foods and their salad bar presents options for diners looking to pick up some greenery. But SweetGreen's salads have drawn rave reviews, and the prospects of being able to get a healthy dinner option that doesn't involve fighting the masses at Whole Foods is indeed enticing.

Curious to find out for yourself? Stop by starting tomorrow and see what you think.