H & M Opening, Sweet Themez Bakery Moving

Swedish clothing chain H&M will open its newest DC store today (Aug 7) in Dupont. The 28,000 sq ft space, at 1133 Connecticut Ave NW, was previously filled by Filene's Basement. This will be the 2nd H&M on the 42 bus line; the other is in Metro Center at 11th and F Sts NW. The new store on Connecticut is opening at Noon today, August 7. They are offering these specials for tomorrow today only; from the Facebook page: 

"Join us on August 7th at noon for the launch of our brand new store at 1133 Connecticut Ave. in Washington, DC.

If you're one of the first 100 shoppers in line then you will receive an all access fashion pass valued up to $300 off your entire purchase.

Bring in old garments to be recycled before the store opens at noon for the chance to win an H&M gift card valued between $50 and $100!"

After today, store hours will be 10:00AM - 9:00PM on Monday-Saturday and 11:00AM - 8:00PM.

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Sweet Themez seems to have temporarily closed on 18th St NW in Adams Morgan. The lower level space at 2318 18th St NW is being advertised as for lease. Sweet Themez has posted a sign in the window indicating that they were moving, but not to where. If I find out more, I'll post it here. Sweet Themez specialized in custom cakes and cupcakes, but also make pies and cakepops. The vegan cupcakes were great, I hope they reopen soon!

Payless Closing, Cupcakery Opens in Adams Morgan

Payless ShoeSource is closing its Adams Morgan store at 1777 Columbia Road NW. This national chain sells shoes, accessories and some clothing. Payless operates several other stores in the District, including a smaller location just blocks away at DCUSA on 14th Street. Employees of the Adams Morgan location gave no reason for closure. However, they indicated that the store would close only after the current inventory was depleted. Yesterday afternoon the clearance included 20-40% off of all products in an "all-sales-final" sale. 

The closing store still has a bare-bones Facebook page, but no longer appears on the locator tool of the main Payless website.  I wonder if the new store is making more $$$ per square foot while drawing customers from the Adams Morgan store. No word on what could replace the large space, but it joins  nearby empty but high visibility storefronts at 1760 Columbia (Pizza Hut) and 1805 Columbia (Blockbuster).

So, a national chain closes, but a local small business opens! Sweet Themez Cake and Cupcake opened earlier this November at 2318 18th Street NW. This was the original location of Crooked Beat Records (since moved to 2116 18th St NW). 

Sweet Themez keeps it pretty simple: they offer custom wedding &  event cakes, cupcakes and cake pops. That's pretty much it. The small retail space consists of sales counter and a wall display of the day's available cupcakes. I imagine most of their business will consist of special orders and wedding cakes. I didn't count, but they offered about 15(?) cupcakes which are always available--two were vegan. In addition they offer another 4 or 5 rotating flavors. I had the plain vanilla vegan cupcake with chocolate frosting. Lots of frosting and on par with other plain vanilla cupcakes offered around town. Great to have a new non-restaurant/bar business opening on 18th Street. Good luck!