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Hill biz notes: Copper Vine closing, new ‘official’ leader (+ new office) for Chamber, what is Rex?

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  • The Hill is losing another small, indie retailer. East Pine’s The Copper Vine has announced it will shut down in mid-December. The tiny plant and garden shop (and sometimes CHS advertiser) was facing the prospect of another three-year lease amid sales that Vine owner Kim Hightower described to CHS as “lousy.” Hightower said the likelihood her spouse’s job will move overseas also weighed in her decision to close the shop.

    The Vine’s last day of business will be December 15. In the meantime, the closing sale has begun with all pots and tools 50% off. Hightower says the holiday period hasn’t typically been busy for the store and she’s looking forward to more family time this year and planning ahead for what comes next. “I am headed back to school so I hope to be too busy to miss my shop, my plants, my fish and my customers,” Hightower said.

    We also asked Hightower if she had any message for her customers. Her e-mail response:

    THANKS! Running this store has been a tremendous experience. I have especially enjoyed being involved in the community in a unique way. There is a lot of great energy and hard work that goes into making this gritty, crowded urban neighborhood a good place to live.

  • Up the street a few storefronts, Whimsy Home Decor is also in, um, transition mode and will be clearing out for a change to online only with a continuing sale. We reported in September that the store was leaving 14th and Pine, which was true, but we’re told the news spread fast enough that sites like Yelp had marked Whimsy as out of business. Owner Teri Burnett says wait a minute!

    We will remain OPEN at least thru the end of the year.
    Our hours have changed to allow time for me to build a new business.
    We are now open Wed- Fri 12-6, Sat 10-5 and Sun 12-5
    Christmas displays will be out soon!

  • Across the street and a little up the hill, Swoon Spa appears to be closed or going through a transition of its own as the storefront in the ground floor retail of the Braeburn condo building has been dark. We’re checking in to find out what the story is there.
  • Michael Wells knows a bit about the struggles of independent retailers. Wells shut down his Broadway book store Bailey Coy one year ago December. In May, he was named interim executive director of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. This week, the organization made it official. Wells can drop that interim thing from his title. But we bet he’s probably more excited to be moving out of the converted house that has served as the Chamber’s office at 10th and Thomas into new digs in Suite 3 of the Broadway Building. That old house, by the way, will also be demolished as part of the 230 Broadway project. We’ve attached the release from the Chamber announcing the news. Here’s what the Chamber’s board president Chris Persons of Capitol Hill Housing had to say about the decision: “Michael is the ideal choice to lead the Capitol Hill Chamber. As a longtime Broadway business leader, he knows this neighborhood, and he is dedicated to making the Chamber a strong and successful organization that will serve the needs of Capitol Hill merchants and residents.” We talked to Wells about some of his vision and strategy for the Chamber here.
  • Summit Ave’s The Northwest School also has made a decision at the top announcing that Mike McGill will take over as Head of School. He will replace Ellen Taussig, long-time Head and co-Founder of The Northwest School, who is retiring. McGill comes to Capitol Hill from The Park School of Baltimore.
  • Dreamscape Massage has filled in the former home of Bliss Soaps at 619 Broadway East. We’ve been asked what became of Bliss’s former owner Phil Wright. We haven’t heard, you? 
  • Seattle Gay Scene reminds of a few incoming businesses that CHS broke the news on earlier this year. Rock Box Karaokewe wrote about here — and Grimwe wrote about here — are under construction and gearing up to open in coming weeks.
  • Grim is, or course, the latest venture from Laura Olson and Chris Pardo, the power duo (and, yes, CHS advertisers… again) behind the Po Dog-Auto Battery empire. We also noted they had a new venture coming together called Rex with partner Jeff Judas. We had a ‘CHS has learned’ item all queued up and ready to go thanks to a friendly tipster but they’ve gone ahead and posted about what they’re up to so we can dispatch with all that jazz. Here’s the note posted to Facebook describing Rex:

    The whole self-service wash experience is designed to provide ease-of-use and efficiency. Fido will love our teak tubs and soothing foamy lather. But if DIY isn’t for you, just drop your pal off with one of our experienced, full-service groomers. Pampering never felt so good. And your dog will love it too!

  • Rex will be located in the Trace Lofts retail area at 12th and Madison next to the soon-to-be High 5 Pie shop and the Barre3 workout studio.
  • Is something happening at the old BMW building on East Pike? The Rosebud crew across the street reports seeing activity in the long-empty space. We’re checking into it but maybe you know more.
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JeffW
JeffW
13 years ago

Haven’t seen anything going on inside, but there are “Tenant only No pay parking” signs taped to the windows out front.

Candices
Candices
13 years ago

Cool! That’s a great space. I’m excited to see what goes in but I hope it’s not another restaurant or hair salon…

Gardener
Gardener
13 years ago

That is a major bummer about the Copper Vine! It is too bad they didn’t look around for someone else to take over the shop?! It is such a lovely little neighborhood place to buy plants on your way home from work…it will be missed.

stephanie
stephanie
13 years ago

the owner had such good taste when it came to plants, and most were very reasonably priced when you consider the quality and care that went into nurturing them. i felt a lot better buying plants from her than any big box store.