Ins & Outs: Nike Town, Mie N Yu and Drybar

Just Do It: Nike Town to Open Oct. 25

“Nike Georgetown opens 10/25. Your official destination for all things Nike in the nation’s capitol [sic].” So read the Nike D.C. tweet, formally alerting runners, walkers and shoppers to the Washington area’s only Niketown, ready for business Oct. 25. The 3040 M Street address, at the corner of Thomas Jefferson Street, once housed a Barnes & Noble bookstore, its loss widely lamented, and, before that, the movie theater Cerberus.

While there are Nike factory stores in Virginia and Maryland, the large M Street store in the nation’s capital will be a showcase for the Oregon-based company which is the world’s leading supplier of athletics shoes and a major manufacturer of sports equipment. At the end of its fiscal 2012, Nike posted more than $24 billion in revenue.

OUT: Another One Bites the Dust.

Oh, No, It’s Mie N Yu Mie N Yu, the cool Asian fusion, richly painted restaurant at 3125 M St., N.W., with its award-winning, unisex lavatory, closed suddenly Oct. 14.

“It’s hard to believe we’re closing our doors after almost 10 years on M Street,” wrote the
restaurant’s management on its website. “We’ve enjoyed sharing our unique food and beverage flavors with visitors near and far, and the whole Mie N Yu family has so greatly appreciated your support over the years. Thank you for dining with us, for welcoming us into your organizations, for spending a few extra moments with us at the bar. We’ll certainly miss being a part of Georgetown’s vibrant community.”

Upon a request for more information, a Mie N Yu representative replied to the Georgetowner: “Unfortunately, it was a leasing issue, but most of the staff has new jobs lined up. We are excited to see what our team can accomplish now that this chapter has ended.”

Mie N Yu joins a growing list of Georgetown eateries killed or lost during 2012: one of the first, Papa-Razzi Trattoria; during the summer, the Michel Richard’s Citronelle in the Latham Hotel and La Madeleine, the legendary Guards and Georgetown Falafel; and last month, Uno’s Pizzeria; Fino’s Restaurant moved away.

IN: Tip Top Boutique, Fighting Modern-Day Slavery

Innocents at Risk just opened a thrift shop with partner, Dr. Laura Lederer. Tip Top Boutique is at Hamilton Court, 1228 31st St., N.W., across from the Georgetown post office. Funds raised go to Innocents at Risk, Global Centorium and Courtney’s House to benefit anti-trafficking projects. Open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m; (202) 625-4338.

IN: Drybar Opens Oct. 19

Remember, as previously reported, Drybar, a blow dry bar, opens Oct. 19 at 1825 Wisconsin Ave., NW, near Safeway.

IN: Bethesda Nightlife Shuttle Offers Safety, Specials

A new shuttle – with stops at St. Elmo Street, Wisconsin & M and 18th and Connecticut – links the restaurants and bars of the Washington nightlife scene. Allowing a night out without the worry of driving or driving after one or two drinks, the bus may particularly help out Georgetown, which has not Metrorail station.

“The D.C. Hopper is a nightlife shuttle service (not to be confused with a party bus), that
provides cheap, reliable and fun transportation from Bethesda to Georgetown, Dupont Circle and vice versa. Don’t hassle with expensive taxi rides or inconsistent Metro service again.”

But wait, there’s more: “Ride the D.C. Hopper by yourself or with a group of friends, either way, you won’t have to worry about paying bar cover charges or waiting in any lines.That’s right . . . you get a special wristband that excuses you from paying bar cover charges and waiting in line at our participating bars and clubs. The website is TheDCHopper.com.

Back in the Action: Jenny Zinn, Tom Gerber

Jenny Zinn, former manager of the Betsey Johnson store, has a new job. She is at the Magic Wardrobe at 1661 Wisconsin Ave., NW. Betsey Johnson closed all of its retail stores in May and early June.

The adventuresome Thomas Gerber returned to his 35th Street home after four years of working in Hilton Head as a parasail captain. Yes, the senior loan officer has a trusty bulldog by his side.

Three’s a Crowd: Ueno and Kuno Unloading P Street Home

The biotech couple, Ryuji Ueno and Sachiko Kuno, of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and the S&R Foundation, who made headlines in Georgetown and across the city by buying Evermay and Halcyon House, two of the best historic properties in D.C., are selling a third Georgetown house. With those two great places, it seems it is time to let go of their six-bedroom, four-level townhouse at 3128 P St., NW; they are asking $3.695 million. It does have a second kitchen and a two-car garage with a driveway.