New Bakery Will Replace Heller's

Owners of Room 11 in Columbia Heights will open a bakery in the space formerly occupied by Heller's Bakery. Heller's operated at 3221 Mount Pleasant St NW for a better part of 80+ years but closed in December 2014.

The new bakery will be called Paisley Fig and already operates as part of the Room 11 restaurant on 11th St NW in Columbia Heights. The new operation will add a cafe/restaurant component in addition to baked goods and will likely be open 7:00 AM throughout evening hours. Other aspects I expect to see realized: vegan & vegetarian options, gluten free options, an alcohol license. This is obviously very good news for Mount Pleasant. Now if we can get someone to open that vegan donut / video game arcade / coffee shop / but also bar / but also serves pancakes / concept I keep dreaming about, well then, the neighborhood will be complete.

Good luck Paisley Fig!

We Want a ________ to Replace the Bakery

I just want good coffee.

When Heller's Bakery closed late last year, a lot of us immediately skipped from mourning to anticipation about what would replace the bakery, located at the northern end of the Mount Pleasant commercial strip. I made a simple poll, with a fairly narrow set of responses, to see what what was on your minds.

84 people voted in the now closed poll, and the winner is.... BAKERY. That's not too much of a surprise. In real life, Twitter, and Facebook conversations, I've heard all sorts of feedback, but many people love the idea of having an updated, newer bakery in the neighborhood. I voted for casual restaurant. With the pending opening of Purple Patch, perhaps that need will be partially filled. If I knew anything about running a restaurant, I would clone/franchise Richmond's 821 Cafe and open up shop. Mmm. Mmm. So so good.

Leaving aside food service options, wouldn't it be great to have small arts or music venue here? La Casa hosts the occasional show and there are house shows with good music, but those are seasonal and tend to ebb and flow with the tenants of any one house (and whether school is in session). But, I'd love something like Bloombars or Hole in the Sky to have a presence in Mount Pleasant. And I have to mention the great events already being put on by Lamont Street Collective.

Heller's sits empty, with no indication that the space will be filled anytime soon. But, I don't anticipate the space staying empty for long. It's too big, in too great of a location, and in a neighborhood with a lot to offer. Thanks for taking the poll everyone.

What Would You Like to See in Heller's Space?

The folks at Heller's Bakery spent no time moving fixtures and equipment out of the retail space at 3221 Mount Pleasant Street NW. Heller's closed on Sunday after nearly 90 years of (more or less) continuous operation as bakery. The owners could possibly return to the neighborhood and open a similar business, but it appears that the retail storefront at this location will have a newcomer as the next tenant. What would you like to see in this space? Any other worthy ideas? Let me know @The42BusDC. 

What Should Replace Heller's?

• Other
• Fancy Restaurant
• Bakery
• Corner Store or Bodega
• Music/Arts Venue
• Casual Restaurant
• Bar or Saloon
• Spa, Barber, or Salon
• Non-food Retail
• Doctor or Dentist Office

Created on Dec 29, 2014

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

Heller's Bakery Closing

Long-time Mount Pleasant bakery Heller's is closing after nearly 90. Several outlets are reporting that the bakery, which has operated on the Mount Pleasant commercial strip since 1928, is closing within the week. Heller's is located at 3221 Mount Pleasant Street NW.

Here's the Washington Post write-up of the closure. Looks like you'll have a few more chances to visit, the last being this Sunday, December 28. That's not counting the possibility that the owners will open Heller's in a new spot with a new vibe -- we can hope! RIP Heller's and THANK YOU. Good luck! 

Also, someone PLEASE take that soothing blue electric Heller's sign, store it, protect it, and use it in the new store when it's ready. It's awesome!