| Page 3 of 3 < |
Learning to Age Gracefully
In the Towers, built in the 1950s, the mix of residents spans generations.
(By Elizabeth Rich For The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Built in 1931 and converted to a co-op in 1953, the Westchester had its own storied past, which included a paperboy during World War II named Warren Buffett. Considered the gold standard in the Cathedral Avenue neighborhood, the Westchester has attracted retirees since it opened. It, too, was beginning to see the arrival of younger buyers, including a few families with children. (The Towers now claims about 50 children, the Westchester about 10.)
Also. rich with amenities, the four-building co-op was struggling with modernization. What about the aging gas pump? How to fill the space that was the drug store? Should the restaurant, which receives rave reviews from longtime patrons and a so-so response from younger diners, be updated?
With a nudge from the general manager, solutions surfaced, including how to replace the recently retired beauty salon manager. After 25 years as a Dupont Circle salon owner, Walter Carrillo could no longer stomach the rising rents on Connecticut Avenue. The Westchester opening was the perfect opportunity all the way around. Carrillo's recently renovated Westchester Hair Studio (and forthcoming spa) opened in late March with discounts for seniors and students.
When it came time for the Towers board to make a decision about the building's grocery store, as poorly maintained as it was, some residents said they didn't want to see it close.
"A lot of elderly people wondered how they would exist without their market, but new owners wouldn't even go in the door," Bourbon recalled.
The board did not renew the manager's lease and instead began the search for a replacement. Down the street, Duc Lee, 35, was working for his parents at the Westchester market, preparing to take it over when they retired. When he heard about the opening at the Towers market, he applied for and got the job.
One year later, many see Lee's market as a welcome change from its dingy predecessor. With its wine and boutique beer selection, organic foods, DVD rentals, novelty ice cream, and household staples, the two-aisle store is a smaller version of the Westchester market.
On a recent afternoon in the Towers market, Lee's wife held their six-month-old baby behind the counter. In the background, a computer replayed an episode of "American Idol" while a woman in her 40s bought a muffin. On her way out the door, the customer said goodbye to Lee and waved bye-bye to the baby.
"There comes a time when you have to make a change, and it was time to make a change," Bourbon said. This time, no one is complaining.
