An iconic photo taken at Monarch Novelties in 1968, as parts of D.C. burned, shows three brothers standing, guns in hand, ready to protect the family business
Two people stop in front of Monarch Novelties to take a closer look on April 4. There are other businesses in D.C. that draw frequent glances from passersby, but few have arguably raised as much curiosity as the building on 14th Street in Northwest Washington with the words “Monarch Novelties” written in faded letter on the front.
When I visited the place six years ago, old campaign buttons, an inflatable football and a paper bell bearing the words “Merry Christmas” sat in the window. Those items were still there on a recent afternoon when I went to see if it was true that Monarch Novelties had finally closed.Those who are familiar with it know that it has held a unique place in the city’s history as a survivor — a survivor of economic and social forces that pushed other businesses to shut down, move or modernize.
Now, on the front door of the building, three signs let people know that no one should be working or living there. D.C. officials posted the signs earlier this month. Two read: “Danger.” Another reads: “Vacant Structure.” “Douglas lived there his whole life,” she said of the store. “It’s sad that it’s closing. It needed a lot of work, but it’s sad that it’s closing. There’s a lot of memories there.”
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