Black Friday Then and Now: Hahn Shoes, 14th & G, NW

Historic

Black Friday Then and Now: Hahn Shoes, 14th & G, NW

by Kent Boese • November 27, 2009 9:51 am

The former Hahn Shoes on the southeast corner of 14th and G Streets, NW, prior to 1950 and today. Historic image from the Library of Congress Horydczak Collection.

Hahn Shoes had been a fixture in the Washington area for 119 years when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in June, 1995. Unable to find a buyer, it instead closed its remaining stores and distributed its $2.9 million in assets among its creditors. One of the last eight stores in operation, their store on G Street was closed by the end of August, 1995.

The building is currently scheduled to be the future home of the Armenian Genocide Museum of America.

6 comments — Share	— tags: DC, downtown DC, historic comparison, retail

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Comments

Hahn's is visible starting at about the 1:10 mark with streetcars passing. Film from mid 1950s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5H2r3AwqjQ

by kreeggo on Nov 27, 2009 10:17 am

Hmmm. I always thought the glass storefront facade was tacked on relatively recently, as it never looked original to the overall building. I guess this doesn't disprove that, as it is kinda a 50s thing to do...

It'll be great to see that building get a use - and sooner rather than later, hopefully.

by Alex B. on Nov 27, 2009 10:24 am

A museum is a good use for buildings like this, especially if they can have retail in the ground-level storefronts. Although I don't know how many stores would want to share a building with a museum of genocide.

Couldn't they use the Franklin School for a museum? Aren't there a lot of groups still looking for museum space in Washington?

by Steve on Nov 27, 2009 12:35 pm

Yeah, street level retail is a must. The Spy Museum does a good job of integrating retail into their building, whether it's part of the museum experience (their store, the Spy Cafe) or not (Zola). The question about a museum concerning genocide is a legit one, however.

by Alex B. on Nov 27, 2009 1:18 pm

This building has been vacant since the Bank of Washington went out of business over 15 years ago. I don't think that placing the Armenian Genocide Museum of America in this building is going to do much for the neighborhood. I would think that this space would be ideal for an upscale, specialty retailer.

by Downtown Dude on Nov 27, 2009 4:21 pm

I doubt that Armenian genocide will draw like the Spy Museum, no offense to Armenians. The area has made a very slow comeback as a retail district and even a Walgreen's would help move things forward.

by Rich on Nov 27, 2009 9:57 pm