We are saddened to lose Johnson's Florist and Garden Center as a tenant as well as a neighborhood fixture at their Tenleytown location. We have tremendous respect for them as a family and as a local business that has been part of the community fabric.

With a deep understanding of their meaning to the community, American University has worked tirelessly to keep Johnson's as a tenant, particularly over the last three years. We have made significant concessions over a long period of time that we would not have made for other commercial tenants. Moreover, we were unable to balance their needs for space and building access with the needs of other tenants, such as medical facilities that receive supplies to treat children and expectant families.

Unfortunately, the changing demographics and purchasing habits of the Washington, DC consumer market also have made it difficult for a full-service garden center to be viable in a smaller urban location while keeping pace with fair market rates for retail space.

We truly wish the Johnson family the best in the future.

Linda K. Argo
Assistant Vice President,
External Relations and Auxiliary Services
American University