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April 3, 2006
Finders Keepers
You’re sooooo up on
all the hard-to-find
designers.
But when you start
crossing multiple
state lines just to get
your hands on a new
kimono-sleeve sweater, you begin to
wonder if there’s such a thing as too hard
to find.
Lettie Gooch, a new boutique, makes
things a little easier. Newly opened on 9th
Street, the inviting shop offers all sorts of
clothes not easy to come by in these parts.
Seersucker suits by House of Dereon,
Ranahan jeans, Royal Plush tops, and
Cesar Arellanes dresses are among some
of the best discoveries. And the boutique
stocks plenty of accessories, like custom
bags from Jack Blue and shoes by Haha,
Fly London, and Morenatom.
It’s all so accessible, you may just find
yourself bragging about your new favorite
sort of designer.
The just-within-reach kind.
Lettie Gooch, 1911 9th Street NW, between
T and U Streets (202-332-4242 or
lettiegooch.com).
April Showers Bring Fashion Flowers
Now that the weekend is upon us, we here at DC STYLE are
feeling a little glum about the disappointing drizzle. But, there’s no
need to stay inside and mope when we have just been hit with a
major fashion boost. DC’s newest boutique, Lettie Gooch (1911
9th St, N.W.) already has a chic following of Washingtonians
searching for trendy, up-to-the-minute fashion that otherwise
could only be found after a four-hour car ride to New York City.
Whether it’s Ranahan jeans, Cesar Arellanes dresses or Royal
Plush tops, Lettie Gooch has fun discoveries for any kind of
fashionista. So don’t let the rainy weather get you down this
weekend. It’s easy to look like a movie star with DC’s hottest
boutique just down the street.
Posted By: Casey Carter
April 07, 2006
Leisure
April 6, 2006
Capitol Fashion
Anastasia Stepanova
D.C. will never be a fashion capital—it’s simply not big enough for that. Luckily, its
intimate feel is rubbing off on the fashion developments both on and off M St. Lettie
Gooch is the latest addition to the city’s fast growing boutique scene.
Set in the eclectic area of U St., the adorably sized store is the realization of the dream of
the owner, Theresa Watts. “The store is an extension of my passion to help women feel
good about themselves,” Watts, who is also the founder of an image consulting and
styling company, said.
Named after Ms. Watts’ grandmother Lettie, who greatly inspired her passion for fashion,
the store has a relaxed and welcoming feel. Described by Watts as having a “SoHo feel,”
the charm of the clothes is offset by the exposed brick walls and colorful flower
arrangements. “I want Lettie Gooch to be a boutique where women can feel at-home
comfortable, but also to be a place to stay up with what’s hot in fashion,” she said. “It’s
for people who want to step outside the box to express their individuality.”
The best part about this boutique is that it offers brands impossible to find elsewhere in
the District, such as the exclusive new Beyoncé line, Ranahan Jeans and Saltworks
Denim. What caught my eye, however, was the Foreign Policy by Cesar printed silk
dress, the key piece for achieving this season’s trend for patterns and prints and a staple
for summer evenings out.
Aside from casual ladies’ attire, the store also carries a seasonal selection of shoes and
unique accessories. Highlights include colorful handmade Ecoist handbags, created from
recycled candy wrappers by Mexican artists and African amber and copper bead
necklaces by J.P. & Mattie, the easy answer to the must-have bright and quirky
accessories trend of 2006.
Men may feel a little left out as the boutique is for girls only, but not for long. “There is a
demand for contemporary menswear,” Watts said. She is hoping to expand to include a
line for men very soon.
Lettie Gooch is located on 1911 9th Street N.W., between T and U Streets. Their phone
number is 202-332-4242. Closed Mondays.
Capital Couture With 'Lettie Gooch'
By: Ashley Southall
Issue date: 4/11/06 Section: Metro
The old site of Madame C. J. Walker's Lelia College of Beauty Culture is home to
another first: Lettie Gooch. The petite boutique is the first to answer the call for couture
in the Capital.
The manifestation of owner Theresa Watts' teenage vision to "empower others to fully
embrace their unique individuality," Lettie Gooch combines the feminine, funky, and
refined styles of New York City's Soho district into a confection that stylist Monica
Brooks calls "couture for everyday life."
"It's a breath of fresh air to 9th Street," Watts said.
The boutique gets its name from Watts' maternal grandmother, a former seamstress born
in Virginia as the oldest of thirteen children.
"She was a huge influence on me," says Watts. "It was only natural that I honor her and
give myself a standard to live up to by naming my boutique after her."
Lettie Gooch is the first-and currently the only- boutique in the District to retail House of
Dereon, Beyonce Knowles' sought-after line. The boutique also features more than
twenty clothing collections by names such as Saltworks, Ranaham Denim, Hype Dresses
and Foreign Policy accompanied by an array of designer shoes and imported jewelry.
Customers are especially fond of the Ecoist bags, handmade from recycled candy
packaging, and the availability of Takeouts and Low Beams.
"It's a nice, hot feeling for spring and summer. You don't find items like these in other
stores," says Lettie Gooch intern and aspiring designer Jessica Peake.
Lettie Gooch's selection is limited in a way that shoppers appreciate. Each piece of
jewelry is the only one of its kind. Small numbers of each design allow Lettie Gooch to
showcase a diverse selection of pieces in the small space. The boutique also offers
shoppers custom orders from contributing designers, minimizing the chance for several
customers to have the same item.
"Everything [in Lettie Gooch] is unique to U Street," said local resident Eileen Smith. "Its
affordable; not too expensive for a boutique."
Although Lettie Gooch does not sell men's articles, men have taken notice. Brian Digby
noted while accompanying his wife, "It's definitely something D.C. needs-a boutique
instead of a chain."
Watts also offers Life-Style coaching and fashion tips in-store and online at
www.canuimagine.com. Her Traveling Boutique tours the Metro area selling exquisite
items year-round.
Boutique information:
Name: Lettie Gooch
Location: 1911 9th St., NW (between U and T Streets, NW)
Phone: (202) 332-4242
On the web: www.lettiegooch.com
Hours: Tues. - Sat. Noon to 7 pm; Sun. Noon to 5 pm
LETTIE GOOCH
OPENS SHAW TO
A WORLD OF FASHION
O
n April 1st, DC North participated in the Grand Opening of the adorable Lettie Gooch boutique,
located at 1911 9th St., NW - near the U St/African-American Civil War Memorial metro stop.
The Grand Opening featured designer brands such as Salt Works Jeans, House of Dereon, Ranahan Jeans and Fly London shoes. Shoppers enjoyed riffling through her grand opening sales and
eyeing the fashions on live models while grooving
to music provided by a live DJ.
The Lettie Gooch boutique is the creation of
owner and stylist Theresa Watts. The opening of
the Lettie Gooch is the next step along Theresa's
climb in the world of fashion. Theresa first ma-
terialized her love of fashion and style when she
started the “The Traveling Boutique” at the Eastern Market. She has since helped many individuals and artists with their images and wardrobes,
and has received a fashion confidential in both
Fashion Styling and Fashion Events from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Watts is a woman
of many talents, including a successful career in life coaching.
The grand opening marked a happy day for many trend-deprived Washingtonians who are delighted to see her re-embrace her first passion with the shop. Watts was inspired to establish her shop on 9th
Street by the historical significance of the Lettie Gooch building. The boutique space used to be a part
of the beauty training school of Madam C.J. Walker, the first woman millionaire. Madame Walker was
a black female entrepreneur who made her fortune in salon and beauty products. Watts hopes to channel Madame Walker's spirit as well as her success.
Lettie Gooch is open Tuesday-Thursday 12 to 7. Friday & Saturday 12 to 8 and Sundays 12 to 5.
Well-priced designer clothes and expert styling advice makes Lettie Gooch the perfect boutique to indulge in celeb treatment with out the outrageous prices. You can also eye before you buy at www.lettiegooch.com. Happy Shopping! ■
Calendar of
STYLISHEVENTS
BY
CATHERINE P. MCEADDY
W
ith the arrival of April comes warmer
weather and longer daylight hours. Take
advantage of both by attending one of
the many fabulous stylish events in celebration
of spring!
Everyone knows that the first Saturday of the
month is the day to check out unsung designers'
funky showroom in Adams Morgan. The tradition
continues in April with the unsung/offline event
on Sat., April 1 from noon-6 pm. unsung designers will also host a special trunk show on Saturday, April 22 from 2-6pm (2412 18th St., NW,
Rear Door A, in the alley near New Orleans Café,
202.234.1788. www.unsungdesigners.com).
On Thurs., April 27 from 5:30-9:30 pm, join
Dinner in the City and Shop DC at the City
Museum for a Spring Beauty Night Out. With
makeovers, skin care consultations, mini-spa
treatments, a take-home beauty bag, and more,
you'll be completely up-to-date with all of the
latest spring trends. A portion of all ticket sales
will be donated to Operation Smile. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dinnerinthecity.com or call 202.349.4025 ($35 in
advance, $45 at the door).
Have you always wanted to try yoga? There's
no better time to check out a yoga class than during the first annual DC Yoga Week. From Sat.,
April 29-Fri. May 5, ten local area yoga studios
will offer free or greatly reduced classes for DC
residents. Participating studios include Bikram
Yoga, Capitol Hill Yoga, Circle Yoga, Budding
Yogis at Circle Yoga, Flow Yoga Center,
Georgetown Yoga, Hot Yoga, SomaFit, Spiral
Flight, Tranquil Space, and Unity Woods and
will offer at least one free yoga class and daily $5
classes open to the public, along with discounts
on additional classes, class packages, and yoga
merchandise. Many studios will also offer open
houses, receptions, and extra classes. The MidAtlantic Yoga Association (MAYA) is also a cosponsor of the event. For more information, visit DC Yoga Week at www.dcyogaweek.com.
OGGI Hair Salon is offering “About the
Bride” and “About the Groom” packages from
April 1-29. For $60, the package includes a glamorous updo for the bride or a cut and color for the
groom (404 8th St., SE, 202.543.4612,
www.oggihairsalon.com). ■
Every month, DC Style features a calendar of stylish events. Be sure to check back for a listing of trunk
shows, fundraisers, fashion shows, and other special
happenings. Are you having a stylish event in May?
Email the details to Catherine McEaddy at
[email protected].
capitalcommunitynews.com • 47
Volume 2, Issue 4
Winter 2005-2006
Revival of Shaw Musical
Arrives This Spring
by Alexander M. Padro
Last produced in 1995, Where Eagles Fly is a theatrical
exploration of Shaw’s rich history and legacy, focusing on
the soaring achievements of notable figures who have
lived, worked, and played here, such as ‘Duke’ Ellington,
W.E.B. DuBois, Thurgood Marshall, Mary McLeod
Bethune, Dorothy Height, Paul Laurence Dunbar,
Langston Hughes, Mary Church Terrell, and Dr. Charles
Drew. All of these legendary men and women, and many
more, are portrayed in the musical, which returns to the
Lincoln Theatre from March 30 through April 19, 2006.
Where Eagles Fly grew out of an oral history project
conducted in 1981. After a decade of work by playwright
Carole Mumin, Where Eagles Fly premiered 10 years ago at
Shaw’s historic Lincoln Theatre and received accolades
and rave reviews in the Washington Post and numerous
regional and national publications. Its central theme is the
importance of preserving and transferring the legacies of
our communities from generation to generation.
(continued page 12)
Inside This Issue
Letter from the Executive Director
Look Who’s Coming to Shaw
WETA Features Shaw in Mini Documentaries
Northern Ireland Delegation Visits Shaw
Milestones in Shaw Transportation
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Barry Lumsden
A House is Still a Home
Residents, Visitors Enjoy Fall Walks
Construction Begins on The Exchange
2
3
5
7
10
14
16
19
19
To receive this newsletter and updates
electronically, send an e-mail message to
[email protected].
Shaw Main Streets is partially funded by ReStore DC/DC
Main Streets, Anthony A. Williams, Mayor
Theresa Watts, owner of Lettie Gooch Boutique, is proud to be
part of the rebirth of the historic 1900 block of 9th Street, NW.
Shaw Gets Chic
New Boutique Opens in Little Ethiopia
by Alexander M. Padro
When her family would drive down 9th Street to get
downtown from their home in Petworth when she was a
child, Theresa Watts never dreamed she’d one day own a
designer clothing and accessories boutique on the 1900
block. She remembers the block being unwelcoming back
then. But in a few weeks, Watt’s boutique, Lettie Gooch,
named for her maternal grandmother, will be open at 1911
9th Street, NW.
Watts’ path to opening a retail business was an unusual
one. With a computer science degree from Hampton
University, Watts started out in the corporate world,
working for Anderson Consulting (now Accenture) and
Oracle for 12 years. During that time, Watts recalls, “I
started selling clothing and accessories at Eastern Market
on Sundays, and went to trade shows in New York City to
test my eye. I left Oracle to start Can U Imagine, providing
image consulting, fashion styling, and life coaching services
to help women feel good about themselves inside and
out.” Her corporate clients included
PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the E and Style Channels.
She also taught fashion styling classes at George
Washington University.
(continued page 18)
www.shawmainstreets.com
Shaw Gets Chic
(continued from p. 1)
Her success at Eastern Market made her begin searching
for a retail location and was attracted by Shaw’s history
and renaissance. “I saw Wild Women Wear Red and knew
I wanted to be part of what’s happening here,” Watts says.
She came across the storefront that she ultimately chose
and when the owner told her about its past history, Watts
was sold. “This was part of Madame C.J. Walker’s empire,”
referring to America’s first Black female millionaire, who
made her fortune in the salon and beauty products
business. “I knew this was a special place and wanted to be
a part of this block and its history.”
With the renovations complete, the space doesn’t look
anything like what it might have when it was a salon:
exposed brick, original pine floors and pressed tin ceiling,
golden yellow walls, and bronze and copper painted
highlights set off with track lighting. All of which makes an
inviting yet modern environment to display premium jeans
by House of Dereon, Saltworks, and Ranahan Jeans (with
the lipstick holder in the cuff), seasonal shoe selections,
and funky imported accessories, like the colorful Ecoist
bags handmade from recycled candywrappers by artisans
in Mexico, and African amber and copper bead necklaces
by J.P. & Mattie.
Undergarments like Spanx, Commando thongs and Low
Beams nipple concealers help to accentuate women’s
figures.
The first question everyone always asks Watts is the
meaning of her store’s name. “My grandmother Lettie
Gooch was a huge influence on me,” Watts explains. “She
was born in Lexington, VA, was the oldest of 13 children,
and was my only living grandparent when I was growing
up. It was only natural that I honor her and give myself a
standard to live up to by naming my boutique for her.”
With grandma Lettie and Madame Walker behind her, how
could Watts go wrong?
Lettie Gooch Boutique is located at 1911 9th Street,
NW. The shop will open in March. Business hours will
be Tuesdays through Thursdays, 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM,
Fridays and Saturdays, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Sundays,
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays). For more
information, visit www.lettiegooch.com or call 202-3324242.
New Businesses
(continued from p. 8)
Co-directors Michael Joseph and Barbara Wien run the
Washington office of Peace Brigades
International/USA, which moved to 1326 9th Street,
NW, in October. The 25-year-old non-profit active in
more than 15 countries provides nonviolent peacekeeping
and unarmed protective accompaniment to individuals,
organizations, and communities threatened with political
violence and human rights violations. For more
information, visit www.peacebrigades.org/usa or call 202232-0142.
A fall opening is expected for a Subway sandwich shop at
1125 7th Street, NW, the space formerly occupied by
Crimpz Inc. The 40-year-old chain is the world’s largest
submarine sandwich franchise with over 25,000 restaurants
in 83 countries. For more information on Subway, visit
www.subway.com.
Want to be kept up-to-date on the latest new business openings? Send
a message to [email protected] and ask to be added to
the Shaw Main Streets email list. 18
www.shawmainstreets.com