It’s not located on the runway of downtown, as I like to refer to Ninth Street as, but the simple black awning of Berry Berry on Cherry always catches my eye. Each time I walk past it, I chuckle to myself about how the name rhymes, and with a name like Berry Berry, why not locate it on Cherry Street? It’s witty and simple, just the way I like things.

But each time I walk by, I glance at my reflection in the windows that separate me from the dusty, dark store that is empty and lifeless. All last summer, I waited in anticipation to see what exactly Berry Berry on Cherry would come to be. A smoothie place perhaps? And now, more than a year after I first noticed its location, the sign still hangs proudly over the doors of the barren place. It’s one of Columbia’s little mysteries.

After searching the internet, I came across a map of The District that had Berry Berry on Cherry listed under restaurants and bars with address and phone number. As far as Columbia was concerned, this was a business that was soon-to-be up and running. According to The District office, when the map was created, they were under the impression that Berry Berry on Cherry would be a new frozen yogurt place. Unsure whether the company never got its license or some other technical problem, Berry Berry on Cherry never opened its front doors.

Currently owned by Arg! Commerical Real Estate, The District office employees say it could potentially be turned into apartments similar to the ones that are located above the shop. For now, the empty space and its future remain a mystery.

So, whatever happened to Berry Berry on Cherry? Did the additions of Yogoluv and Red Mango run it out of town, or did the owners get cold feet?