Meeps: New + Improved

Six years ago, when vintage clothing store Meeps moved from 15th and U NW to 18th and California NW, I couldn't have imagined how different the U Street and Adams Morgan neighborhoods would look today. After Meep's move, U Street saw an incredible influx of indie & vintage clothing stores while Adams Morgan saw more retail stores and also got a major face lift in the form of a massive streetscape project. 

Meeps has been a DC institution since 1992 and recently changed hands. The new owners (same as 14th Street's Treasury) closed the store for most of July to renovate the space, reorganize the floor plan and incorporate new clothing stock. They reopened last week with bright paint schemes, a more open layout and new clothes + accessories. And when I visited last weekend, sales were brisk. 

If you've read the blog before, you know I give major props to vintage stores with a good men's section. Many stores have an 80/20 or 90/10 women/men clothing ratio, understandably. But, Meeps comes through. Very good, quality selection. I look forward to visiting again soon for new fall (already!?) pieces and yes... winter jackets. Heh, OK, it may a bit early for winter wear, but, yeah. I'm on it.

Meeps is located at 2104 18th St NW in Adams Morgan. Open 7 days.

New Bistro for Adams Morgan, Meeps Remodels

2102 18th St NW; the Duchess & the Queen

Interior

The property at 2102 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan is slated to become a bistro style restaurant according to on-site posted DC ABRA (Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration) notice. 

The building I know as the "Dutchess & the Queen" --for the decal on the front window-- is adjacent to Meeps Vintage Fashionette clothing store.

The ABRA paperwork indicates that this space is slated for a restaurant in the style of "Belgium bistro" [sic]. The requested seating capacity is 160 including a request for 12 seats as part of an outdoor café. Total occupancy load request is 280. 

Also indicated: the restaurant will be a brew pub. Will they actually brew beer on site? Unknown. The requested hours of operation are: 10AM-2AM Sun, 8AM-2AM Mon-Thu, 8AM-3AM Fri-Sat. Perhaps they're planning to serve brunch and lunch. More details as they come.

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In related news, Meeps Vintage Fashionette is closed for a few weeks in order to complete a small scale renovation. This long time DC go-to spot for affordable vintage was recently acquired by the owners of Treasury. The new owners are finishing (a mostly cosmetic) makeover of the interior space along with refreshing the clothing stock. No specific date noted for the reopening, but a sign on the door indicates "mid-late July."

Meeps

Shop Local for the Holidays

I love internet shopping as much as the next guy. Amazon, Best Buy, Land's End, whatever floats your boat. They have products that our loved ones want and corporations make it really easy to spend your hard earned cash in their stores. But remember to look out for our local merchants and stores, too.

DC has as a strengthening tradition of local fare, with the popular Crafty Bastards fest, world famous Eastern Market and a growing number of homegrown specialty shops at 14th and U, Adams Morgan and other areas of town. As for clothing, apparel and accessories, which make up a decent chunk of all holiday sales, we have it made in mid town and on the 42 bus line. Here are a few upcoming events and places I'd recommend to get your alternative shop on.

Rock N Shop: At the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW). Rock N Shop is described as a junk sale, but over the last few years, has turned into something much more. The vendors sell everything from original prints and photographs to homemade clothing to vintage toys and records. Quite a variety. I always end up buying for myself, which is totally allowed. Plus DJs spinning tunes. That's the rock part. Sunday December 21 at 8pm. Upstairs.

Trunk Show Part One: Craft Mutiny Holiday Trunk Show. Hosted by Design Within Reach in Georgetown (3307 Cady’s Alley NW). Hopefully with crafty prices and not DWR prices. It's Saturday, December 13 from 12-5pm. All kinds of stuff from about a dozen vendors.

Trunk Show Part Two: Ninnole Holiday Trunk Show. Ninnole is a DC clearing house of sorts for indie designers. Some designers are local, others national and even international. There will will be great indie clothing for men! That's rare in DC, as far as I'm concerned. This show/sale is in Adams Morgan (1741 Lanier Pl NW #2). This Sunday December 14th, 12-5pm.

Try visiting our great friends and neighbors at Listopad. They partner with the Mercedes Bien Vintage store in Adams Morgan every weekend. Men's (again, key for me) women's, handbags, ties(!), accessories and more. Its located above the old DCCD (2423 18th St NW). Listopad + Mercedes Bien on Saturdays 12-6pm and Sundays 12-5pm.

And not far from Mercedes Bien, is Meeps. This former U Street store moved three blocks west to 2104 18th Street a few years ago. Same great owners and buyers. This place is always stocked with new finds and just thumbing through some of the selection can take you back to the 60s, 50s or even 1940s. Buy for work, or a night on the town; a very versatile assortment. And yes, they sell men's vintage. Detect a theme here?

This isn't an exhaustive list. There are other options, but it'd be nice, and very easy to shop local for the holidays. Even if you're shopping local for yourself for the holiday.