DC Rapha store closed :-(

[wgp]

Swung by the Rapha store in Georgetown just now, and it closed it's doors as of mid-February. Always enjoyed their club rides (though obviously didn't partake during this last year of the pandemic), and I'm sad to see it go. Anyone know what the official explanation is? I'm sure Covid restrictions have hit all of their stores hard, and wonder if other locations have also closed ...

[jmgorman]

They sent out an email - was the only store to close. Rumor was they closed up fast after a bunch of positives showed up after a group ride (even though the experts on here say it doesn't happen.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[vertical_doug]

I thought long term Rapha was reducing their brick and mortar footprint and really just wanted to be online.

[Matthew Strongin]

The just finished a new, huge buildout for their Miami store. It’s a huge success. Sure doesn’t look like they’re moving back online as much as closing stores that don’t have good ROI. Bummer though, I liked the store in Georgetown.

[Saab2000]

I’d guess the real estate costs in Georgetown are beyond out of control.

[beeatnik]

They sent out an email - was the only store to close. Rumor was they closed up fast after a bunch of positives showed up after a group ride (even though the experts on here say it doesn't happen.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Oh, yikes, I better warn the fellas on this morning's rApha ride. Tho the guy in the SC Velo/HBC kit is fine; Gray Beard just got vaccinated yesterday morning. raphas.jpg

[ldamelio]

They sent out an email - was the only store to close. Rumor was they closed up fast after a bunch of positives showed up after a group ride (even though the experts on here say it doesn't happen.) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I'm not going to jump into the Covid/group ride vortex, but even if this anecdote is true, I doubt it has anything to do with the location closing.

[j44ke]

DC is a strange place. Weird demographics and geography. Interstates and highways all over the area and yet nearly impossible to get anywhere. Hard place to make a business go and Georgetown is not the easiest spot either. I have never worked in a place that could be so busy with no one spending any money at all.

[robin3mj]

I'm not going to jump into the Covid/group ride vortex, but even if this anecdote is true, I doubt it has anything to do with the location closing.

Agree with this. I had been in there a handful of times for a coffee during a ride* and customers were very thin on the ground. It’s a good jumping off spot for a lot of nice riding but at the same time not that convenient from most folks’ home base, and high dollar real estate to boot.

* and if you want a coffee mid ride in Georgetown, that donut place 50 yards east is a much better spot, not to mention dozens of other joints.

[acorn]

I’d guess the real estate costs in Georgetown are beyond out of control.

For sure. I don’t know how this area got so overvalued. Maybe I’m mistaken. Real Estate there, and a lot of places continue to rise, even during the COVID pandemic. I wonder if the housing bubble is about to bust. Or will we continue to see a housing boom? Maybe it’s really truly increased demand that’s driving real estate prices higher, or maybe it’s just speculation that’s artificially inflating prices. How in the world is all of that even sustainable without a huge bubble bust coming soon?

[Too Tall]

For sure. I don’t know how this area got so overvalued. Maybe I’m mistaken. Real Estate there, and a lot of places continue to rise, even during the COVID pandemic. I wonder if the housing bubble is about to bust. Or will we continue to see a housing boom? Maybe it’s really truly increased demand that’s driving real estate prices higher, or maybe it’s just speculation that’s artificially inflating prices. How in the world is all of that even sustainable without a huge bubble bust coming soon?

Consider what happens every four years.
Rapha is a brand. That's all.

[jmgorman]

I'm not going to jump into the Covid/group ride vortex, but even if this anecdote is true, I doubt it has anything to do with the location closing.

You're absolutely right - that was careless, thoughtless rumor-mongering on my part. I enjoyed having the store around, even if I rarely popped in.

[Smitty2k1]

The folks next door at District Cycleworks were starting to get some good community engagement/events going precovid. They definitely got a lot of business from Rapha members as they were in the same vein of doing high end stuff. Between Rapha closing and Covid I hope they are doing OK, would love to see more events from them.

[Too Tall]

As this is a Obit. done and done I'd recommend spending all your $$ with Matt Moore@ District Cycle Works
https://www.districtcycleworks.com

ENDORSED

[beeatnik]

I live 24 miles from the Rapha store in Santa Monica, 9 miles from Golden Saddle Cyclery, 7 miles from Spoke Bicycle Cafe, 3 miles from à bloc (Coffee/ Food/ Love/ Bicycles) and 1 mile from Team Dream Team's Cubhouse. All destinations for a ride and a coffee or beer, apparel with retail bike stuff optional. As a lifelong Angeleno who is over 30, my desire to visit the 3rd Street Promenade district rates up there with incarceration or a dental visit for the average 8 year old. So, I've chilled at the Rapha spot once. I'd like to have a chat with Rapha's real estate person. Melrose isn't too far from the Hollywood Hills....


https://www.instagram.com/abloc.la/
https://www.spokebicyclecafe.com
https://www.instagram.com/itsnotabikeshop/
https://goldensaddlecyclery.com

For the all day rides which include the coast, I'll take Pedalers Fork (35 miles away) over Rapha, 100 to 1.
https://www.pedalersfork.com

[b-thesing]

The Rapha DC clubhouse rides were some of my first group rides a few years back. I rode past it the other day and was very sad to see the doors closed and construction ongoing. It was a good place to meet other cyclists and I hope Disctrict Cycleworks or another shop can organize some group rides once herd immunity is achieved.

[dfischer1]

While the Clubhouse is closed, the RCCDC Ride Leaders are developing some solo events/rides in the spring, and planning on group rides in DC/Loudoun Co towards the end of summer (as appropriate). Stay tuned!

[Smitty2k1]

Great news!

[Too Tall]

Fantastic, I'll join esp. if there is dirt involved.

[zetroc]

Waltons gonna Walton.