Retail

A Jackson Ward-based interior design firm is on the move to the West End, where it plans to expand on the retail operation it launched as a pandemic-era pivot.

The new owner intends to continue to operate the grocery store and utilize the business as a venue for vocational training for those with autism.

The publicly traded company, formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, disclosed earlier this month that it’s exploring moves that could include a potential sale or merger.

The new store’s name, Dog House Cat, is inspired by the “Jeopardy!” before-and-after category, owner Ashley Smiley said.

After acquiring the home of a pottery studio that operated for decades in Forest Hill, Joanna Gragnani has put her own spin on the storefront.

“I definitely feel like it’s a mix of mad scientist meets the creative genius that Doug was,” said Chloe Kottwitz, who recently took over ownership of the neon sign shop from longtime owner Doug Solyan.

John Foley has opened Recharged, which focuses on the sale of used electric vehicles, next door to the former original location of CarLotz.

The company, which leases storefronts and then carves out within them multiple small rentable art studios, opened last month at the South Richmond mall.