The Columbia Heights listserv has been a heated battle ground of thinly veiled race and class issues of late. When they’re not sniping back and forth, many of the posters have been loudly bemoaning the Ross and Marshalls discount clothing stores coming to the new DCUSA development at 14th and Irving NW. They also complain about the incoming Lane Bryant, Foot Locker, and Mattress Discounters.

The listserv has been abuzz with messages such as “How do we encourage Ross, NOT to come into CH?.” The way some posters talk about the stores, it sounds like they expect the only people who will shop there will be crackheads and burglars looking to break into cars and stick people up on their way to and from buying some pants and a belt. The discussion has been noted a few other places too.

For the most part, listserve participants are avoiding stating their reasons for opposing Ross and Marshalls other than a general desire for Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, which has come up time and again. They’ve also said that Ross and Marshalls are too similar to each other.

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