From the prolific Capitol Hill business owner behind Panache and Metro clothing stores comes Broadway’s newest boutique retailer. Carl Medeiros kicked off the new year by opening Hardware – his third Capitol Hill retail venture. Hardware boutique opened in the former Hardware salon space (also owned by Medeiros) and the stylists have moved next door to the former Gruv records store, which shuttered in 2010. Part of the interior wall separating the two stores was knocked out and a wrap-around front desk now connects the two shops.
“We need more boutique shops and non-food businesses on (Broadway),” Medeiros told CHS. “We need more retail.”
While the retail-side currently offers mostly clothing and apparel, Medeiros said the primary focus will eventually be boutique gift items. Soaps, candles, cards, and other small gift items will fill the shelves in the coming months, in an effort to fill the void left by the much-missed Bliss Soaps. Men’s and women’s apparel will still make up around 30% of the store.
Medeiros said he hopes to have the gift shop concept in full force by May, in anticipation of Gay Pride. For now you can peruse the racks of sleek and chic clothes that feature a predominantly black and white color theme. You can also expect the same relatively affordable pricing that Medeiros’ stores are known for. On a quick browse Thursday evening, $30 price tags adorned a few dressy shirts and blouses.
If his bet on the dual venture pays out, Medeiros told us to expect more Hardware salon/boutiques in the coming years. Medeiros has tried pairing hair and retail under one roof before. Some might remember that the first iteration of Hardware, which opened in March 2010, featured clothes in the front of the shop and salon chairs in the back. Medeiros said the space was ultimately too small for both.
Running the day-to-day at Hardware Clothing will be Medeiros’s mother, Linda, who has done stints at her son’s other neighborhood shops.
(Images: Hardware)
The Hardware revamp has also allowed the salon and company to stretch out in the more spacious digs next door. The salon has added a waxing station, an additional shampoo station, employee break room, and several new chairs. Manager Matthew Hefel said he hopes to add a new stylist by April, and encouraged any young stylists or those just starting out to apply. 
You can keep track of what’s new on the Hardware Facebook page.
Let’s hope he won’t be blasting the tackiest music out front of Hardware like he does at Panache,as it would ruin another block on bway,thanks to him.
we plan to keep the music a mix of 60’s-80’s and at a reasonable volume so we can hear our clients :-)
I’m taking this opening that there’s a good market for these stores. I’m very happy to hear this. I live right a across from Hardware and go there for my haircut. Non of these clothes store interests me but It’s good to see new places opening.