New Businesses: DSW, Alex and Ani, Fiola Mare (Bids for GSA’s Heating Plant)

Add the discount shoe store, DSW, to the new tenants getting ready to fit into the reconstructed Shops at Georgetown Park on M Street. Vornado Realty Trust representative Scott Milsom presented signage plans to a meeting of the Georgetown-Burleith advisory neighborhood commission. The signs will be located at the western to the former mall near Dean & DeLuca. Designs included DSW; other tenants on board included T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Pinstripes.

Alex and Ani opened at 3068 M St., NW, on St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, appropriately enough, for the eco-friendly, socially responsible bracelet shop: its motto is “Made in America With Love.” Alex and Ani’s creator and designer Carolyn Rafaelian named the fast-growing and Rhode Island-based small business after her daughters. Founded in 2004, Alex and Ani has 28 stores and also has counters within 80 other shops. With Rafaelian’s signature bangles, necklaces, and rings, Alex and Ani also partners with organizations through Charity by Design, it says, “where artwork, meaning cards and signs are created for the charm to help spread awareness of various organizations in need. 20 percent of the proceeds from all sales of the Charity by Design Bangle go directly to the organization or cause involved.”

Chef Fabio Trabocchi signed a lease last week with MRP Realty for a new restaurant in Georgetown, according to the real estate group, which owns Washington Harbour, the popular multi-use complex on the Potomac River. Trabocchi plans to open the 7,500-square-foot Fiola Mare, in fall 2013; he already operates Fiola in downtown D.C. To be located on the west side of Washington Harbour, the fish-happy eatery will have inside and outside dining along with a raw bar.

P.S.: The General Services Administration extended bidding until just after noon, Feb. 20, for the West Heating Plant on 29th Street, the two-acre government property with some restrictions and community leaders urging use of the open land as parkland. As of noon, Feb. 19, Bidder # 2 was winning with a $5.2 million amount. The auction can still be extended by GSA, if it so chooses.