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See the only Da Vinci in the Americas. Explore the oldest urban national park. Visit the largest library in the world. Do it all in the only place you can. There’s Only One DC.

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Washington, DC hosts the nation’s greatest springtime celebration, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, in honor of the blooming of the city’s beautiful cherry blossom trees. But spring in the nation’s capital holds so much more: cutting-edge theater performances, outdoor revelry in Rock Creek Park and on the waterfronts and a mouthwatering dining scene. It’s no wonder spring is the perfect time to make monumental memories in the District.

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Locals know the difference between Washington and DC. The latter is a city made up of neighborhoods, where people live and visit, where restaurants and pubs buzz, where cabs are hailed, hotels are busy and friends laugh.

Adams Morgan is much more than a neighborhood with a crowded nightlife scene. You’ll find historic row houses around 18th Street, including the Adam's Inn B&B, as well as a variety of independently owned stores.

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D.C. store that survived 1968 unrest and gentrification now closes

An iconic photo taken at monarch novelties in 1968, as parts of the city burned, shows three brothers standing, guns in hand, ready to protect the family business.

There are other businesses in D.C. that draw frequent glances from passersby, but few have arguably raised as much curiosity as the building on 14th Street in Northwest Washington with the words “Monarch Novelties” written in faded letter on the front.

In a changing city, on a street that has transformed more than most, the store is a relic. It sits on a strip of expensive real estate that is dotted with high-end condos and high-priced lunch spots, and yet, the building has remained mostly unchanged over the years.

The Logan Circle store has long featured a tattered awning, a mess of toys haphazardly placed in its display window and a weathered wooden sign out front advertising what people might find inside. (That is, if they were let in, because no one could just walk in at any time. They had to ring a doorbell and hope someone answered.) Some of the items advertised on that sign: anniversary favors, arm bands, ashtrays.

When I visited the place six years ago, old campaign buttons, an inflatable football and a paper bell bearing the words “Merry Christmas” sat in the window. Those items were still there on a recent afternoon when I went to see if it was true that Monarch Novelties had finally closed.

The shuttering of a store in D.C. is not usually newsworthy. But Monarch Novelties wasn’t just any store.

Those who are familiar with it know that it has held a unique place in the city’s history as a survivor — a survivor of economic and social forces that pushed other businesses to shut down, move or modernize. It survived a 1968 civil unrest that left businesses across the city looted and destroyed, and it survived years of gentrification that priced out other family-owned shops. That the store is now closing is surprising, only because it seemed as if it never would.

An iconic photo that The Washington Post published of Monarch Novelties in 1968 — after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. sparked riots in D.C. that left parts of the city burning — shows the family who worked and lived in the building fighting to save it. In the photo, three brothers, guns in hand, stand in front of their parents, ready to protect the place.

When I visited the store in 2018, while doing reporting for an article about the 50th anniversary of the riots, I met Douglas Robinson whose family owned the building. He was there when that photo was taken. He recalled running to grab a sheet for his brother to wrap around his arm after it was cut by glass from the store’s shattered display window.

“If we didn’t have shotguns, we would have been burned out, too,” Robinson told me at the time. “It put a lot of people out of business.”

Robinson told me his parents had 11 children and that growing up, he and his siblings lived above the store. He was still living there when we spoke.

Now, on the front door of the building, three signs let people know that no one should be working or living there. D.C. officials posted the signs earlier this month. Two read: “Danger.” Another reads: “Vacant Structure.”

Vito Maggiolo, a spokesman for D.C. Fire and EMS, said the signs were placed there after inspections were conducted of the building. Four inspections took place between March 18 and April 1. Maggiolo said officials found “numerous fire code violations and life hazard conditions.”

No one who has stepped inside the store in recent years would find that surprising. Like the outside, the inside didn’t keep up with time. It took only a glance around when I visited for me to see potential obstacles, including old shelves filled with dated toys and piles of paper items, that would make it difficult for a person to escape during a fire.

But even if I understood why those signs were on the door, seeing them left me with questions. The main two: What happened to Robinson? And was the store closed-for-now or closed-for-good?

In search of those answers, I ended up on the phone on a recent evening with Betty Robinson, one of Douglas Robinson’s sisters. The 79-year-old said her brother has experienced health problems in recent years and is now being taken care of by family members.

“Douglas lived there his whole life,” she said of the store. “It’s sad that it’s closing. It needed a lot of work, but it’s sad that it’s closing. There’s a lot of memories there.”

She recalled her mom and dad working at the store some days until late into the night, walking upstairs to sleep for a few hours, then heading back down to start working again. She said her dad owned a carnival before selling it and opening up his own store and entering the real estate business. At one point, she said, the store on 14th Street provided carnival items, sold custom-made products, such as key chains and signs, and produced a catalogue that people could use to place orders.

Robinson said there was a time when a hamburger cost 10 cents on that block. Now, a person can find a hamburger next door at Birch & Barley for $21 or a few blocks away at Le Diplomate for $24. With a short walk, a person can pick up a boba tea, check out furniture at Joybird and grab groceries at Whole Foods.

Robinson recalled the day the rioting reached the family’s business. A man ran over to warn her family that the chaos was heading their way.

“We thought he was kidding,” she said. “We didn’t think they were coming down that far.”

She said she needed to go to the pharmacy to pick up medication, and her mother assured her she had enough time to make the trip. She took her two young children and dog with her. She said they hurried back after they saw people flipping over cars.

A Post article describes the toll of the riots in this way: “In three days of upheaval, 13 people were killed … Hundreds of blazes left vast avenues of burning wreckage and nightmare scenes of desolation. The air was filled with smoke and the smell of tear gas, and the streets were littered with broken glass and tumbled-down bricks, as if in the aftermath of an air raid. Stretches of 14th Street NW, Seventh Street NW and H Street NE, among others, resembled combat zones, and 13,000 members of the Army, Marines and National Guard were brought in to regain control.”

Robinson said Monarch Novelties will remain closed and eventually sold. She told me that in a matter-of-fact way, but it was clear as she talked, that it won’t be easy for her family to see that space transform into something else. To her family, it was more than a business. It was also a home.

“It meant everything to us,” she said.

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• Washington, DC

The Best Shopping in Washington, DC

By Chris Boyle

Washington, DC is a diverse and exciting shopping destination for the Elite Traveler.

While the lively streets of Georgetown rule as the preeminent shopping locale, there are plenty of treasures to be found in the city’s many museums, malls and speciality stores. From lavish metropolitan galleries stocking exclusive designer brands to quirky neighborhood boutiques chock full of unique vintage fare, shoppers are sure to leave the nation’s capital with a wealth of exceptional purchases.

Lively and authentic, Georgetown is home to an endless array of quirky shops, upscale boutiques and trendy art galleries.

The Shops at Georgetown Park attract a flurry of shoppers on the weekend, while fashionable M Street positively pulses with life every day. From vintage bargains to designer steals, Georgetown is a neighborhood packed with character and exciting goods.

PENN QUARTER

This established shopping quarter near Capitol Hill is a lively area full of some of DC’s top shops, including choice furniture, clothing and antique stores, as well as enticing eateries and urban bars.

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The spa at mandarin oriental, washington dc.

With its wide selection of merchandise and bustling atmosphere, Penn Quarter is steadily evolving into Washington’s premier shopping destination.

THE COLLECTION AT CHEVY CHASE

As the foremost shopping destination for Hollywood heavyweights visiting the capital, the Collection at Chevy Chase is the place to go for name-dropping and celeb-spotting, as well as some serious retail therapy.

The Collection boasts a wealth of luxury retailers, including Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton, and is surrounded by high-end department stores stocking the season’s chicest brands.

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+1 301 654 2292

5471-5481 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

www.thecollectionatchevychase.com

MAZZA GALLERIE

A visit to the Mazza Gallerie is a must for any fashionista passing through the capital.

Brimming with four levels of high-end retailers, dining and entertainment, the mall maintains an upscale atmosphere reinforced by high-end retail anchors Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Check out the designer brands in the Mazza Gallerie’s department stores before heading down the street to explore its neighboring boutiques and cafes.

+1 202 966 6114

5300 Wisconsin Avenue, North West, Washington, DC 20015

www.mazzagallerie.com

NEIMAN MARCUS

Neiman Marcus is a luxury retail department store offering lavish assortments of apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty products and decorative homeware.

The store’s wideranging collections of brands include Burberry, Anna Sui, Alexander Queen and Bottega Veneta.

+1 202 966 9700

Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, North West, Washington, DC 20015

www.neimanmarcus.com

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

This luxury specialty store is an American institution, stocking a wealth of exclusive clothing, accessories, shoes, homeware and beauty products.

Available brands include acclaimed designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Fendi and Givenchy.

+1 202 363 2059

www.saksfifthavenue.com

SAKS JANDEL

Saks Jandel is an independently owned, high fashion retailer that touts brands such as Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent.

A particularly popular destination for formalwear, Saks Jandel features the only Vera Wang bridal boutique in the capital.

+1 301 652 2250

5510 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

BARNEYS CO-OP

Barneys CO-OP offers a creative line of clothing, accessories and shoes designed for the young adult market.

Originally a department within the larger Barneys New York stores, CO-OP is now a freestanding store with locations throughout the US. Among the high-end brands available are Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Moschino, Paul & Joe, Paul Smith, Prada and John Varvatos.

+1 202 350 5832

[email protected]

3040 M Street, North West, Washington, DC 20007

www.barneys.com

LORD & TAYLOR

Lord & Taylor, a powerhouse in both the fashion world and retail industry, and a prominent trend-setter, is famed for its unique mix of trendy and timeless fashions.

The department store carries brands such as Armani, DKNY and Gucci.

+1 202 362 9600

5255 Western Ave, North West, Washington, DC 20015

www.lordandtaylor.com

 FASHION & ACCESSORIES

Watches & fine jewelry, latest in luxury, the explorer.

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Welcome to Washington D.C.

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to visit our nation's Capitol to truly appreciate our rich history.  Our tour of Washington encompasses every major site of importance ( you decide your priorities) and is led by a knowledgeable licensed guide ( only Guide Guild Members ) who will shape the presentation to be grade appropriate.  We will arrange White House and Capitol tours as well as wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery based upon availability.  

While in Washington, D.C., you may opt to add a riverboat dinner cruise, National Spy Museum, Newseum, Mount Vernon or a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Forbes Travel Guide Stories

The Best Outlet Shopping In Washington, D.C. By Correspondent McLean Robbins

June 24, 2017

Washington DC, Photo Credit: WashingtonDC.org

While Washington, D.C. boasts its fair share of stores like T.J. Maxx and Loehmann’s, there aren’t any outlet malls in the city proper. That said, just a short drive away are several great areas for outlet and discount shopping.

Virginia’s largest outlet mall is Potomac Mills , a 30- to 45-minute drive from D.C. This indoor mall boasts outlet versions of stores like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, plus hundreds of other stores, a movie theater, an Ikea and much, much more.

We also love the outdoor Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets , which offers a number of high-end stores just 20 minutes from Tysons Corner. Find Saks Fifth Avenue, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, Barneys, Burberry and Kate Spade here, among others.

Just a 12-minute walk from the new MGM National Harbor , Tanger houses outlet shops for Calvin Klein, Elie Tahari, Movado, Tumi, Theory, Nike and more.

If you don’t mind driving about 45 minutes, try Arundel Mills , which also has Maryland’s best live-action casino, Maryland Live! next door. Here, find Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and your standard array of outlet shops, plus a movie theater and dozens of restaurants.

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• District of Columbia

Travel Traders

1000 H St NW, Washington , District of Columbia 20001 USA

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Learn more about this business on Yelp .

Reviewed by Neal E.

Travel Traders is the convenience store located inside the Grand Hyatt Hotel Washington, DC. Although the hotel web site lists the name of the store as "W. H. Smith Gift Shop." There does not... Read more

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Los Angeles Times

Live DJ sets! Freebies! Exclusive drops! 12 L.A. shops going big for Record Store Day

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420 isn’t just for stoners. This year, Record Store Day — the worldwide celebration for independent record shops that typically happens every third Saturday of April — falls on the storied day.

Across Los Angeles County, audiophiles and vinyl collectors will converge at participating stores to search for one-of-a-kind wax and CD releases by artists new and old, along with other one-of-a-kind items. Even in the age of Spotify, vinyl records have stayed in demand — more than 43 million people bought vinyl records last year, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America (RIAA).

“It’s really like an Easter egg hunt,” says longtime collector and DJ Johnny Young, who goes by the moniker Black Museumist, of Record Store Day. “There’s a lot of energy.”

This year’s event brings in roughly 400 anticipated titles including a live recording of Talking Heads from a 1977 performance (featuring seven previously unheard songs), a 12-inch vinyl release of Daft Punk’s “Something About Us (Love Theme From Interstella 5555)” , an unreleased live solo recording of “The Godmother of Rock n’ Roll” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe (from 1966) and a 10-year anniversary edition of Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s “ Piñata .”

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Also, this year’s Record Store Day ambassador, Paramore , will release a remix version of its 2023 album, “This Is Why” and Cheech and Chong will reissue the soundtrack for their 1978 film, “Up in Smoke,” on smoky green vinyl just in time for 4/20.

You can see the full list here . Also, note that there are three types of special releases: RSD Exclusive (when the record is pressed specifically for the holiday and isn’t expected to otherwise be available), RSD First (a special variant is being made for Record Store Day and a standard black version will be released later) and RSD Limited run/regional focus (quantities are typically fewer than 1,000 units and may be easier to find in a specific city or region), according to SCNow .

For people like Young and Mathieu Schreyer , a music supervisor and former KCRW DJ, every day is Record Store Day. But Schreyer, who’s been DJing for two decades, says he understands the value in having an intentional day to patronize local vinyl shops.

“We can’t just diss Spotify and then not participate and support when it’s needed,” he says. “I think it’s important to support the record stores and the culture.”

But even if you’re not interested in copping a special release, it’s still worth checking out what your favorite record store has to offer on April 20. You’ll find events like in-store DJ sets, pop-up shopping experiences and in-store performances.

To help you plan, we’ve rounded up a list of local Record Store Day events you should check out. Pro tip: If you’re looking for RSD collectibles, be sure to call the vinyl shop beforehand to see what they’ll have in stock. Quantities will be limited and every store won’t carry the same titles.

Additional reporting by August Brown, Kenan Draughorne, Vanessa Franko, Nate Jackson and Steve Appleford.

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Travel Traders

Location & Hours

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999 Ninth St NW

Marriott Renaissance Washington

Washington, DC 20001

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Overall rating

This Travel Traders Gift Shop/Convenience Store is located in the lobby of the Marriott Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. Stopped in here to pick up several bottles of cold water and a bottle of caffeine-free Diet Coke. After paying for four bottled beverages - I asked if I could have a bag. The lady running the Travel Traders shop tells me she will need to charge me for the bag. Huh? I've been in Marriott Gift Shops all over the country - I've never had one inform me they can only bag my stuff if I pay them a nickel for the bag. It's not the money - it's the ridiculousness of the situation. After I've already paid out money for their massively marked up product... I carried my beverages up to the room without a bag. NOTE: So I find out later that DC is now charging a .05 charge per bag to help reduce litter. I remember hearing about this back when it was first enacted - but I rarely find my way into DC. So while I support this effort - one star for the total lack of communication by the store staff person - she could have explained this and I would have been fine with it! Instead - zero explanation - zero response!

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Dawn C. said "I did not feel like going to this place. It was a long day, I wanted to go home (Baltimore) and sit down. But noooooooooo, my boyfriend wanted to stop (I'm driving, mind you) at some run down looking place. I walked inside, walked…" read more

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Anne B. said "I am always very happy to buy my good beer in this shop, you can also buy food, a lot of brand of good wine, and every things you need even for the house ! And they are always very kind and helpful." read more

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