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Visions for Vacancies: TESST Building

What do you want to see inside one of Hyattsville's most iconic buildings?

This one's for the comment section, Hyattsville. What do want to see inside the TESST building now that it's been bought by Streetsense? 

The Bethesda-based real estate development company is known in Hyattsville for its work developing and marketing the retail spaces at EYA Arts District Hyattsville commercial center which now houses Busboys and Poets, Spice 6, Chipolte and Big Bad Woof, among others. 

So, before we begin the discussion, here's a quick fact sheet about the property.

Address

5122 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD Enclosed Area 10,600 square feet, two floors. Nearby Landmarks , Hyattsville Municipal Building, St. Jerome Catholic Church, Prince George's District Court Nearby Transit Adjascent to WMATA 83, F8 bus lines. Two miles to both Prince George's Plaza, West Hyattsville Metro stations. Near several municipal pay parking lots.  Previous Use Vocational school from 1957 throguh 1998. 

Marc Ratner, CEO of Streetsense, told Patch that he thought the TESST building was ideally suited to retail and offices, but he was open to any serious offers to rent the space.

What do you think should go inside the TESST building?

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BigDan January 17, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Strip Club
Kristina Iverson January 17, 2013 at 02:45 pm
Some of us nearby residents would love to see a wine bar- something like Grape & Bean in Old Town Alexandria
Denise Marie Brown January 17, 2013 at 02:58 pm
I have not seen the space, but I think it would be a great space for a combination of local artists gallery space, a shop for hand made items ( fabric arts, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, prints, etc,), antiques. Our local artists need more outlets to sell their work. Denise Marie Brown, President HCAA (Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance)
Beverly Kingwood January 17, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Since this is suppose to the the Arts District it would be good to see more artist related retail space where artist can rent the space and set up boutique style shops within the building and sell. Then have a open space for pop up shops which could be rented also on a monthly basis. We have very little artist opportunities in this community it has turned into a high end commercial neighborhood.
Jenni Pompi (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 03:09 pm
Oooh, good call, Kristina!
Jenni Pompi (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 03:09 pm
Whatever business comes in, I really hope they keep the TESST sign. It gives the building and the neighborhood great character.
Michael Theis (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 03:22 pm
A wine bar would be interesting. You know, one thing I noticed when moving back to Hyattsville is that, with the possible exception of Lee's in West Hyattsville, our fair city really has no proper bar. They are all restaurant-bars which close down well before last call. As a young adult, I wouldn't mind more of a late-night nightlife in the city.
Michael Theis (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 03:23 pm
And needless to say, Lee's isn't really my style of bar.
Scot Brown January 17, 2013 at 06:16 pm
I think the area needs a local owned kind of CVS/7Eleven convenience store.
Scot Brown January 17, 2013 at 06:19 pm
Or better yet we need a bar like Mike was saying and I want live music. Busboys is sort of a let down as I hoped for more bands. A bar / music venue. And it can stay open late so Mike doesn't have to go home early. lol
Michael Theis (Editor) January 17, 2013 at 08:12 pm
Exactly. I'm a night owl.
Farmer Joe January 17, 2013 at 08:29 pm
I would like to see a small hardware store with maybe a combo art supply, or a fake store front that serves as a non-profit tutoring station for kids like the "superhero supply store" in Brooklyn. Look up Dave Eggers for more info.
Eric Burka January 17, 2013 at 11:40 pm
I agree that the TESST sign is great and I would love to see that stay or have the name of the new venue/retailer be in it's place.
Donald James January 18, 2013 at 06:28 pm
Great idea. Hyattsville is the perfect place to start creating an area with some nightlife so that we don't have to go to the city all the time.
SMallory13 January 22, 2013 at 01:08 pm
A theatre company
Mike Derry January 29, 2013 at 11:48 pm
I agree... we recently moved here from the Baltimore area . The one thing I really miss are the multitude of quality wine bars up that way.... The Arts District still has that small town feel... Rather than large chain establishments I'd like to see some individually owned places as well... wine bar, bistros/cafe , coffee /breakfast places... My fear is if we turn everything over to the developers the whole area will become one big strip mall and lose all of its charm and character !
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Sarah Lawler June 18, 2013 at 03:58 pm
will old news stories be brought over to the new site?
Michael Theis (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 04:04 pm
Yeah. It seems as if some old stories, particularly ones recently posted, did not migrate over toRead More the new site, yet. Our help desk is working on this problem, and we hope to have a resolution before long.
Michael Theis (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 10:29 am
Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to continue to use these boards to help reach your neighbors.