Business Ins + Outs

IN: Free People
Free People, a Bohemian apparel and retail store that sells women’s clothing and accessories, will open its first store in D.C. – at the former Fino Italiano space, 3009 M St., NW – by the end of the month. Owned by Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, Free People has more than 81 boutiques in the U.S. and two in Canada. It has six stores in the region.
IN: Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway will move into Cady’s Alley at 3336 M Street, NW, in mid-November. The store rents designer gowns, dresses and accessories.

OUT: Prince Cafe
The Georgetown Prince Café and Hookah Bar at 1042 Wisconsin Ave., NW, and its owner Ehab Asal have moved on. The business gained fame on WUSA Channel 9, which reported on its health code violations, including a “mummified rat inside the kitchen.” Local advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Starrels observed: “The neighbors on all sides of Prince Cafe were thrilled that the business was moving on. The trash and grease was becoming a rat buffet. … Prince was a hookah bar that wasn’t even licensed for that. Chances are good that whatever replaces Prince Cafe will be a step forward for the neighborhood.”

Trickponi Pop-up, Nov. 6-9
A Trickponi pop-up in Georgetown will open at 3210 O St., NW, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, to Sunday, Nov. 9. The pop-up will showcase collections from unique Middle Eastern designers as well as U.S. designers including Christin Chang, Shosh New York and Emm Kuo.

IN: Alice and Olivia
The hip woman’s clothing boutique Alice and Olivia is under construction at 3303 M St., NW. Its founder Stacey Bendet is the designer who aims to make “a trouser sexy.” She launched the brand at Barneys in 2002. It now sells in more than 50 countries. The Georgetown store will be Alice and Olivia’s 14th store. It should open by the end of November.
GeorgeTownPool Pops Up, Nov. 15
A preppy men’s and women’s clothing store, GeorgeTownPool, will pop-up Nov. 15 at
1063 Wisconsin Ave., NW, in the space once occupied by the Pleasure Place, next to Filomena Ristorante. The pop-up shop originated on Nantucket this past summer with ideas from hospitality leader Bo Blair. The store is run by Georgetown native and Gonzaga alum Marty Ellsworth. Mike Pabb of Smith Point is also involved in the store, which will carry local brands such as Smathers and Branson and Sissy Yates, as well as Lilly Pulitzer, Southern Proper and more. Call 202-669-2659 for employment opportunities. The pop-up runs through Dec. 31.

GBA Reception at il Canale, Nov. 19
The Georgetown Business Association’s Nov. 19 networking reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the newly expanded il Canale restaurant, 1063 31st St., NW, will also be a “post-election celebration.” RSVP to 202-640-1279 or info@gtownbusiness.