Business: Ins + Outs


 

Oktoberfest in Cady’s Alley

In the tradition of Munich, Bavaria and Deutschland, Oktoberfest was celebrated in Cady’s Alley Sept. 27 and 28. The retail alley became a Oktoberfest fun fair with Bavarian food provided by Kafe Leopold, a soft pretzel cart, a two-story central beer hall that featured seasonal German brews and a fun zone filled with games and attractions. The weekend festivities were sponsored by EastBanc, Inc., and Jamestown Co.

IN: Mama Rouge Set to Open Oct. 14

Mama Rouge, the new Southeast Asian Bistro, replacing Bangkok Joe’s at 3000 K St., NW, will open Oct. 14. Chef and owner Aulie Bunyarataphan and husband and business partner Mel Oursinsiri are working at the same spot at Washington Harbour near the entrance. Expect a nice mix of Southeast Asian and French influences from the chef’s family. The restaurant’s name comes from Bunyarataphan’s grandmother.

IN: Yummi Crawfish’s Grand Opening

Yummi Crawfish, “the traditional Cajun crawfish experience of Louisiana,”1529 Wisconsin Ave., NW, held its grand-opening party just about all day Sept. 26. If you “like” the restaurant on Facebook, you will get 15 percent off your bill on your first visit.

OUT: Subway Closed

The Subway sandwich shop at 1363 Wisconsin Ave., NW, closed suddenly last month.

OUT: La Fourchette to Close

La Fourchette on 18th Street is set to close. Chef Pierre Chauvet and his wife Jacqueline will also sell their apartment next door. Also adjacent to the classic French restaurant, Jonathan Cho of Sakuramen will be opening a new pan-Asian place at 2431 18th St., NW.

Palisades Safeway Property Up for Bid; New Law Passed

While the owners of 4865 MacArthur Blvd., NW, where a Safeway grocery store has been for decades, say that the store “will consider a short-term leaseback post closing,” the future of the Palisades Safeway is unclear.

Passed Oct. 7, legislation by the District Council prohibits use of restrictive covenants being placed on land, formerly occupied by grocery stores. “Some national grocery store chains use restrictive covenants or land use restrictions to prohibit new grocery stores from filling the space of their former stores when they vacate,” according to one of the law’s sponsors, At-large Councilmember David Catania.

KLNB Retail lists the 64,815-foot commercial site with a bid deadline of Oct. 6 and a close of escrow of no later than Dec. 12. The property is assessed by D.C. tax office at $3.2 million. The loss of the Palisades Safeway would leave the neighborhood with only the Georgetown Safeway or stores in nearby Arlington.

Cerberus Capital Management bought Safeway, the nation’s second-largest grocer for more than $9 billion in March and is merging it with Albertson’s, the fifth-largest grocer.

Watergate Hotel Under Reconstruction

Work has begun to renovate the Watergate Hotel, “a $100-million project that will significantly increase the number of guest rooms and return the property to its former luxury status,” according to the Washington Business Journal. Reconstruction will gut “all 13 floors of the vacant, 277,000-square-foot building on Virginia Avenue, NW, replacing plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems and installing high-end, imported finishes.The room count will go from 251 to 348 . . . The work will also result in two new restaurants, as well as a rooftop bar, renovated ballrooms and spa and fitness areas.”

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