A wave of new businesses are opening on Barracks Row as others renew their commitment to the street, said Barracks Row Main Street (BRMS). More than 16 businesses are set to open or renew their commitments to the street this year, bringing more retail and food service options to the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Expansions and Renovations
Ambar (523 Eighth St. SE) closed Jan. 27, but just temporarily. The business is expanding –and doubling its capacity. For the next seven weeks the original Ambar at 523 is undergoing total reconstruction and renovation of their company-owned building. An early spring re-opening is planned.
Matchbox (521 Eighth St. SE) is planning an interior refresh soon, and will be closed for about 7 to10 days while redecorating is underway.
Dunkin’ Donuts is relocating around the corner this spring from 801 Pennsylvania Avenue to 406 Eighth St. SE (formerly Old Siam).
A-List Nails (739 Eighth St. SE) has sold to new owners who have renewed the lease for the current location and will re-brand shortly as Luna Nails. The salon is open for business while redecorating is under way.
Work continues on the expansion of Taoti Creative (530 Eighth St. SE) into both the second and third floors of the new building being constructed next door at 526-528 Eighth St. SE (formerly the Harmon Shakespeare parking lot).
New Openings
The first of the Row’s new 2020 businesses launched opened in early January when non-profit The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay opened a new second floor office (729 Eighth St. SE). Another second-floor business was added when Cycled! spin studio opened above &pizza (405 Eighth St. SE) around the same time.
Call Your Mother Bagel shop is scheduled to open April in the former Spring Mill Bread (701 Eighth St, SE). Barracks Row Main Street reports that the owners of Spring Mill Bread decided to simplify operations by reducing its footprint to only 3 states (there are locations in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania). Construction on Call Your Mother is already underway.
Additional announcements include:
- A new coffee shop called Ti Coffee, opening soon at 1116 Eighth St. SE.
- M Barber and Stylist, opening soon at 1118 Eighth St. SE.
- Casual Japanese restaurant Yaju, opening early spring at 525 Eighth St. SE.
More to Come
These are exciting changes on Eighth Street SE, but it isn’t even the full list, as many of the openings are still top secret, said BRMS. “Most newcomers to Eighth Street feel strongly about handling their own Grand Opening announcements and have requested we keep their arrivals under wraps until the time is right for them to make things public,” wrote BRMS in a newsletter.
So, expect even more announcements about business on Barracks Row coming through Spring and Summer 2020.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving a business to the Row, give BRMS a call: 202-544-3188. To learn more about BRMS and their work, visit barracksrow.org
