City Bikes Leaving its Capitol Hill location

City Bikes just learned yesterday that they have to leave their Capitol Hill location by the end of the month. Their last day in the 709 8th Street SE location is Sunday the 27th. 

The 709 8th Street location was previously the home of Capitol Hill Bikes, which also had to leave suddenly - back in 2009 after 9 years at that location. It later re-opened down the block.

Prior to that the location had been another bicycle shop, the name of which I can not recall at this time home to Metropolis Bikes. Not sure why they are being forced to move or what might go in to the location. 

Update: From Barracks Row BID

City Bikes announced earlier this month a plan to open a new shop in Tenleytown at the site of the former Volkswagen dealership.  For more information: http://tenleytowndc.org

City Bikes on Barracks Row will be closing. The last day of business for the 8th Street location is Sunday March, 27. If your bike is at the Barracks Row location for service and you miss the last day call 202-618-8102.

The City Bikes space on Barracks Row is now available for rent.

This retail space at 707- 709 is double wide with large glass front windows. The building is in the heart of Barracks Row situated directly across from the Historic Marine Barracks. It is 2500 square feet total with 900 square feet finished basement.   There is secure rear alley access. 

The first floor is $55 sq ft, triple net; the basement is $22 sq ft.

For more information call 301-938-4618.              

Comments

[DaveS]

More than you ever wanted to know:

Before Capitol Hill Bikes, Metropolis was the shop at 709 8th SE. Metropolis closed due to the owner's sudden death in 1998 or so. I think there are still signs in the parking garage at Fashion Center that thank Metropolis for supplying mountain bikes for mall security.

This was actually Metropolis's second location in the neighborhood. Both Metropolis and Big Wheel had shops close to Eastern Market, one on 7th SE and one on Pennsylvania Ave SE. Both were interested in expanding, both negotiated on the 709 8th space. Metropolis closed the deal and Big Wheel moved on not long after that.

When CityBikes opened in that space there were still a couple of customers who called the shop Metropolis and swore they had been shopping there for 20 years. Totally missed the closed years and the name changes.

[washcycle]

Yes. Metropolis. Thank you.

[washcycle]

DaveS, it looks like the owner, Barry Elias Rivkin, died in mid-October 1999

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/10/14/obituaries/c510d088-5331-4c71-a0e8-e372a42766ff/

And that it closed at that time.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/10/20/bikes-usa-to-close-all-stores/d93bc780-81b2-47cc-9621-2799792657cc/

[SJE]

I hope City Bikes stays around. They have been part of DC for decades and, now that biking is taking off, it would ironic for them to be pushed out.

[washcycle]

I was there today. They are not staying around. Their lease is up and they couldn't get an extension.

[Jeffb]

Just heard on WTOP that the new Tenleytown location will feature a mountain bike test track.