Does Secondhand Rose Have An Imposter on Wisconsin Avenue?
Secondhand Rose of Georgetown, the well-regarded vintage, consignment clothing store at 1516 Wisconsin Ave., NW. Although the sign on the building has remained, the business itself, owned by Lynn Boynton, continues as an online business. The Wisconsin Avenue retail space appears to continue as “Secondhand Rose,” and that has created confusion and a problem.
Owner of the business, Secondhand Rose, Lynn Boynton, contacted this newspaper last week. In an email, she wrote, “I purchased the business 11 years ago from four women who had owned the business for 25 years. I had become weary of the condition of the building and decided it was time for a new location. I gave notice and moved on Nov. 14. The landlord Bok Hwang advertised the space in the Korean newspaper and found a new tenant, Susan Ro. Ms. Ro is using the name Second Hand Rose. DCRA has assured she cannot use my name. I am a corporation in good standing, and I have filed an official complaint. I am curious as to why Ms. Ro cannot give her business a unique name and feels a need to pose as Secondhand Rose. I worked hard for 11 years and have a faithful following. My customers became my friends and are confused and upset by this turn of events. I am still doing business, and my name is Secondhand Rose. Krista Johnson, owner of Ella Rue on P Street, went into 1516 Wisconsin Ave., and Ms. Ro told her she had purchased the business and it is under new management. Ms. Ro did not purchase my business. She offered me $5,000 and told me ‘That is my number, think about it.’ One item in my shop is worth more than $5,000, so there was nothing to think about. The landlord and his wife have told me on many occasions how important they believe the name Secondhand Rose is. I know he has encouraged his new tenant to use the name.”
I want to comment on this because many of the things in this article are said in a way that is hurtful and false. Ms. Ro was not intentionally trying to take business away, nor was she trying to use the name for more business. From what she was told, she was able to use it legally because she had received clearance by the city of Georgetown. Obviously there was some confusion but to portray the facts in a way where nothing was asked of the new tenant and only one side of the story is told is unfair journalism. Ms. Ro has been doing retail business for over 35 years all over the MD/DC area and she is not the kind of business tenant or owner who would manipulate or misuse things, or even try to "pose" as a previous business. The name is no longer being used, and Ms. Ro does not foresee ever wanting to be associated with the name of Secondhand Rose. She hopes that now that the name change is completed, she can continue business in a civilized way by providing great products and even greater customer service. She recognizes that while a name can be important, what the store carries inside is of greater value. The store has been remodeled and offers a wide variety of new and used clothing, accessories, and even home decor at affordable prices! Come visit, please!
What is the new name of the business?
The new name is Annie's Kloset.
This Saturday February 2nd I went to 1516 Wisconsin Ave. looking for Secondhand Rose. The signage had changed to Annie's Kloset. I was looking for high end designer treasures but did not find them. I did make a small purchase of gloves. When I looked a my credit card receipt the business name resd Second Hand Rose. I read the earlier posts where Annie states the name has been changed and Ms. Ro does not ever want to be associated with the name Secondhand Rose again. Why is Second Hand Rose on my receipt then? Seems very unethical.