Reply to Why is Friendship Heights so empty and lame?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The whole neighborhood got old all of a sudden - Lord and Taylor and Mazza were in steep decline for a decade before Covid hit. It's still in a good location and could be appealing again in 5-10 years.

I'm convinced that retail/restaurant neighborhoods are inherently cyclical and whatever is hip and happening today will be Georgetown or White Flint Mall tomorrow.[/quote]

Quite literally. I moved to this area on the MD side and was surprised to find out how old the residents are. It seems to be a retirement center - many of the “dense” high rises and condos are retirement communities, and the SFH neighborhoods have so many empty nesters in their 60s and above. Seems slightly younger on the DC side but that huge new development going up on Western is also a retirement home. This demographic does not demand nor would it sustain fun retail or a walkable urban center type of experience. They stay home, aren’t the most adventurous of shoppers or diners, and prefer to drive. I’m saddened to see the Heights thin out. When it first opened I thought it was a great addition and might attract more foot traffic, but it’s been looking sad and empty recently even on Friday and weekend afternoon/ evenings. Lunch is even worse. Just don’t think there is enough younger people who are seeking fun retail/dining outlets there to “revive” FH, and there’s not a solid office worker base either. [/quote]

Again, I’ve said this before. They really need to advertise their presence.  I live within walking distance of the Heights. I was there on opening day — because there was one particular food stall that I was following.  AFAIK, they have done nothing to reach out to the thousands of people living in Friendship Heights Village to alert the residents to what they offer — or even that they’re open.  No coupons, no posters in the mailrooms of the apartment buildings, no articles in the FHV newsletter or on the website.  Nothing really at The Whole Foods store a level below the Heights.  It sucks.

I’m glad that they’re there — after an exceedingly long wait. And I really don’t get why they haven’t reached out to the community. No one who drives would know that the Heights is even there. No one who last visited that level for PF Changs would know that they’re there. No one who shops at the stores directly behind the Heights would know that they’re there. It’s bizarre to me that they spent years putting the food hall together, and that they’re located in a neighborhood of densely packed apartments— and haven’t bothered to tell us that they’re there.  Vent. [/quote]

Did you try the speakeasy? The drinks were kind of wobbly (but maybe they've improved - just seemed odd for a speakeasy to not have perfect drinks). The food was great - can from the Heights![/quote]

Not yet. So far I’ve tried the barbecue place - which is very good, the Cuban place, and the deli.  I’ve yet to try the speakeasy or the Mexican restaurant.  I’ll plan to check out the speakeasy soon! [/quote]

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