A sign has gone up in the windows of the dormant Shopkeepers storefront near 13th and Florida Avenue NE, pointing to a new tenant called Grounds & Gatherings. The business is hoping to hold its grand opening during the last week of November.
The sighting came from a reader named Zach, who sent word to PoPville after noticing the signage. “Noticed this sign on the windows at dormant Shopkeepers storefront,” Zach said, according to the outlet. PoPville reports that Grounds & Gatherings is hoping to have its grand opening the last week of November, though no firm date has been set.
What Grounds & Gatherings Might Bring to the Block
A search excerpt referenced in PoPville's report describes Grounds & Gatherings as “your neighborhood third space,” combining retail, a cafe, curated art, events, and indoor play for little ones. That description is drawn from a search listing rather than a confirmed business announcement, so the full scope of what will actually open at the site remains to be seen.
The storefront in question was previously occupied by Shopkeepers, a neighborhood boutique, cafe, and gallery.
Shopkeepers was more than a boutique: founder Seda and co-owner Suzy said the store opened in late 2016 and brought together a cafe, groceries, retail and an event space at 1231 Florida Ave. NE. The owners described their aim as staying a neighborhood “go-to” as the area changed, making the former tenant a close precedent for the mix of uses suggested by Grounds & Gatherings’ sign. A 2021 profile of Shopkeepers details the owners’ history and the shop’s original concept.
Still Waiting on a Firm Date
For now, the last-week-of-November timeline is described only as a hope rather than a lock. PoPville said it plans to update readers once a confirmed opening date is available, leaving neighbors near 13th and Florida Avenue NE to keep an eye on the windows for the next update.
The proposed mix arrives amid a citywide push to attract experience-oriented retail, though the outlook varies by neighborhood. The District’s 2026 retail strategy estimates a nearly $14 billion citywide spending base and identifies food and beverage as its largest retail opportunity, with about 7.3 million square feet of supportable demand. The plan also divides D.C. into distinct retail submarkets, underscoring that citywide demand does not guarantee success for any single storefront. The strategy’s market analysis lays out those estimates.
