Business Ins & Outs: Barnes & Noble, Tatte, River Club, Yellow
By • July 15, 2024 0 1444
In (Really?): Aug. 21 Is New B&N Opening Date
Gone from Georgetown since 2011, Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest bookstore chain, will return to its original location at 3040 M St. NW, having signed a 33,754-square-foot lease for the same three floors last year, as previously reported. The serially postponed reopening date is now Aug. 21. As expected, the store will sell books, newspapers, magazines, music and gifts — and contain a café.
The River Club at Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW. Courtesy River Club.
In: The River Club Returns to K
An old Georgetown restaurant name is back on K Street. The River Club — by David Nammour and Farid Azouri of Dupont Circle’s Residents Café & Bar — opened on July 6 at Washington Harbour, 3000 K St. NW. “We’ve been eyeing this neighborhood, so when the Bangkok Joe’s space became available, we snatched it up immediately,” Nammour told the Washington Business Journal. The new, cool spot has indoor seating for 106 and outside dining for 34. Nammour’s father, Bechara Nammour of Capital Restaurants Concepts, which owned Georgetown restaurants, oversaw the River Club at 3223 K St. NW in the 1980s and ’90s. The new place pays homage to the old nightclub, Nammour says.
In: Tatte for Kaffee und Kuchen
Tatte Bakery & Café opened on July 3 in the former Capital One Bank building, 1545 Wisconsin Ave. NW, a space empty since May of 2022. The American-Mediterranean gourmet fast-casual bakery and café, with 35 locations, was founded in 2007 by Israeli-born Tzurit Or. On the Q Street corner, the café has received top marks from Kaffee und Kuchen devotees, who have made it their new favorite hangout in Georgetown — and appreciate that it’s open past 4 p.m.
In (NYT): Yellow’s (Not) Pizza
Congrats to Yellow cafe’s (not) pizza, recognized by the New York Times last month as one of “22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States.” The eatery at 1524 Wisconsin Ave. NW offers its (not) pizza menu Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. Yellow’s owner, Michael Rafidi, won the nationwide 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef for his Navy Yard restaurant, the Michelin-starred Albi.
Coming: Georgetown Pantry
A store called Georgetown Pantry is coming to 1515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, having applied for a license to sell beer and wine. Topher Mathews reported: “I have absolutely no idea what Georgetown Pantry is, unfortunately. There appears to be a brand of luxury food items out of Seattle called Georgetown Pantry Supplies.”
Out (Like a Light): Sleep Number
Sleep Number, the store that sold beds, foundations and bedding accessories at 1239 Wisconsin Ave. NW, has left town. The Minneapolis-based company employs 5,515 people nationwide and has 546 other locations.
(Up and) Out: UpWest on M
UpWest, a hip seller of comfy clothing owned by the company Express, closed up shop at 3110 M St. NW, part of the Canal Square retail complex. Meanwhile, check out the UpWest website: “All Items 70% Off! We’re going out of business.” All sales final, indeed.
