Business Ins & Out: Greco, Catbird, Argent, M.M. LaFleur, Ornare
By • January 16, 2024 0 1587
In: Fast Casual Greco Opens
The first Greco location in Washington, D.C, opened on Jan. 15 in Georgetown at 1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
“Owners Demetri Tsolakis and Stefanos Oungrinis are looking forward to their fast casual Greek eatery joining the already vibrant and international restaurant scene in D.C.,” announced their company, Xenia Greek Hospitality.
The Greco Truly Greek concept debuted in 2017 on Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay. Greco currently has four Boston locations with a fifth arriving in a month. The company added: “With this expansion to D.C., they are eager to bring their ‘meraki’ and labors of love to these new neighborhoods and to new guests that will hopefully become friends.”
The second Greco location in D.C. will debut in late spring or early summer of 2024 and will be part of the Union Market District at 1285 4th St. NE.
In: Catbird to Open Feb. 8
Take note, Georgetown: Some cool gals from Williamsburg (New York, not Virginia) are coming to the former space of Lush at 3066 M St. NW.
Catbird is a 20-year-old business and tells us: “Since 2004, we pioneered the idea of fine jewelry to be worn everyday, pieces to be layered and stacked over time. Catbird jewelry is designed in our Brooklyn studio and sustainably made to the highest standards, with over 95-percent recycled 14k gold and recycled diamonds.”
Founder Rony Vardi and Creative Director Leigh Plessner were inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America ten years ago and continue their revolution in the jewelry industry, along with advancing sustainability and ethics in their business.
Coming: M.M. LaFleur
Getting ready to open at 1344 Wisconsin Ave. NW at the corner that once held Doc Dalinsky’s legendary Georgetown Pharmacy is the women’s clothing store, M.M. LaFleur — ala the “Power Casual” concept of dressing.
“Founder and CEO, Sarah LaFleur, got her start as a management consultant,” the company tells us. “Frustrated by a lack of women’s workwear options that were both stylish and practical, she teamed up with Miyako Nakamura (the former head designer of Zac Posen) and Narie Foster to launch M.M. LaFleur in 2013. Since then, we’ve grown into a team of go-getters who are committed to creating a better future for women. Miyako serves as our Chief Creative Officer, and her high-end design sensibility is a beautiful complement to Sarah’s focus on practicality.”
Coming: Argent
Yes, another women’s clothing store is coming to the avenue, and some more cool gals, too. This one is Argent at 1250 Wisconsin Ave. NW with the slogan, “Successful separate, stronger together. It’s not uniformity, it’s unity.”
The clothing company with some stand-out “work friends” and spokesmodels, as it were, says: “Work is changing, but our clothes are struggling to keep up. We know this firsthand: Argent is the result of years spent searching and failing to find clothes with the attitude and ambition that match our own.
“Now, we’re on a mission to upgrade working women’s wardrobes and help them navigate their busy, hybrid lives. Through confident clothes and an inspiring community, we’re creating a movement that’s all about self expression in and out of the workplace, versatility as a power move, and radical equality when it comes to paychecks, pockets, and everything in between.”
Coming in July: Ornare in Cady’s Alley
Ornare, a high-end Brazilian furniture brand, will open at 3340 Cady’s Alley NW in July. The luxe brand will take a 2,100-square-foot space and join the other stores of Georgetown’s Design District which includes B&B Italia, Boffi, Bo Concept, Thos Moser — along with Kafe Leopold and Kyojin Sushi.
“Ornare has established itself as an international leader in high-quality cabinetry and design,” said Philippe Lanier, principal at EastBanc, the majority landowner of Georgetown’s retail properties and developer behind Cady’s Alley. “We’re excited for Ornare to plant its Brazilian roots in the heart of Georgetown’s Design District and join the growing roster of luxury brands in Cady’s Alley.”
