When Trader Joe's closed last night at 7900 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, something new happened. Window screens lowered down over the store's windows. They don't quite block every view into the grocery store, and don't appear to have any other significant burglary defense function. Of the commercial burglaries reported in the Woodmont Triangle this year, most have been at beer and wine stores.
Perhaps they are intended to reduce heat gain and glare from the morning sun, now that its getting warmer. Hopefully they are raised during business hours.
ReplyDeleteIt’s always a shame when retailers do not take advantage of transparent windows for views in and out of their stores. This helps activate the streetscape, and provides natural light for employees and customers, reducing the need for artificial lighting. It helps market their products as well.
Yes CVS, I’m looking at you, or more accurately, I’m looking at your stupid window decals!
Why would you think this is a security measure? There are a number of possible reasons, e.g. temperature control or privacy during the mess of restocking that seem much more plausible.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly there was a homeless person in a makeshift tent spending the night in an adjacent vacant storefront last night.
ReplyDelete"Interestingly there was a homeless person in a makeshift tent spending the night in an adjacent vacant storefront last night."
ReplyDeleteOnly One? More are coming, you can bet on it, just look at Camp DuPont (Circle).