By Lani Gering

Wow! This spring has been busy in the Harbor. The retail and restaurant business situation is looking up. In the many years that I lived in the Harbor, I watched several businesses – mostly retail – come and go over the course of those years. The Harbor was new and still trying to find it’s marketing niche. Was it going to be geared totally toward vacationers and convention attendees with a few places to entice the locals or was its primary market going to be the DMV with a few “tourist” joints interspersed. Obviously, they have tried to find a healthy middle ground. It has definitely been a “hit and miss” with retail but the restaurant community has been a bit more successful at holding its ground. Still open for well over 10 years are my favorites Bond 45 and Fiorella joined by Grace’s Mandarin, Bobby McKey’s, Rosa Mexicana, McCormick & Schmick, Cadillac Ranch, Walrus Oyster & Ale, Redstone, SUCCOTASH as well as others. We lost one of the first anchors on Fleet Street, Public house, last year and it was sad to see them go but several other spots are opening up. I received the following information from the Harbor marketing gurus so wanted to share it with you. I haven’t had the pleasure of actually patronizing any of them at the time of this writing, but have that on my radar this summer.

As most of you know, National Harbor is one of the region’s most popular waterfront destinations. They announced in late March that it has leased another 10,408 square feet of space to four new tenants including new restaurants and food establishments. That’s in addition to the 18,407 square feet that has or will open this year.

The Jewelry Experience, 181 American Way is a 1,311 sq. ft. jewelry store. It opened in March. I still miss the Harbor’s very first jewelry store, Fire & Ice, but am very happy a new place has opened.

Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken. The 1,753 sq. ft restaurant, located at 140 National Plaza is open and I am anxious to try it. Will be fun to compare it to the Wooboi Hot Chicken located in North Old Town Alexandria. Imagine it’s “all in the sauce”!

Crumbl, 128 Waterfront St. with 1600 sq. ft. of cookies, was scheduled to open the third week in March/early April. I haven’t verified that but I have heard amazing things about this chain.

Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Cinnabon and Carvel—all in 2,900 sq. ft. at 173 Waterfront St. opened in April. Kinda sounds like we will be able to pretend we are in a major airport concourse while inside 173 Waterfront!

Coming in August are:

illy Caffè, 138 Waterfront St., will open in the spirit of an Italian café. It is a high-quality, casual dining establishment with 1,767 sq. ft., providing a variety of coffee and drinks, breakfast sandwiches, lunch wraps, salads, bakery goods and desserts.

Wigenton Candle Co., 120 Waterfront St., offers candles for purchase as well as the opportunity for individuals or groups to make their own within the 1,077 sq. ft. store.

Coming in 2026:

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, 180 American Way, is a 6,253 sq. ft. Michelin Guide recommended authentic Chinese restaurant known for its wide variety of soup dumplings. “Xiao long bao” means “little steamer-basket buns” in Mandarin Chinese. The restaurant will open early 2026.

“It’s always great to see new tenants signing on and opening at National Harbor. We’re especially excited that Nan Xiang chose National Harbor as they are a Michelin Guide recommendation.” said Kimli Cross, senior vice president of leasing for Peterson Companies, developer and management company of National Harbor. “All these new tenants bring a new energy and excitement for our residents and visitors.”

One of the proposed new kids on the block, Live-K, a karaoke bar is supposed to open in late summer in a 12,154 sq. ft. space at 137 National Plaza. If this actually happens, I bet this will be a hoppin’ joint! Over 12,000 sq. ft. of “karaoke” is a lot! Better hone your singing skills before the opening!

These new merchants join 60 other food establishments, specialty boutiques and shops, gourmet stores, entertainment venues and national brands in the Waterfront District at National Harbor.

For more information on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.