Business Ins: Warby Parker, Crumbs & Whiskers and Maxime

This week has brought a string of high-profile announcements on new businesses opening in Georgetown.

First came news that Kickstarter darling Crumbs & Whiskers leased space on O Street and obtained the necessary zoning approvals to open, clearing the remaining obstacles to opening. Owner Kanchan Singh told the DCist that the cat café is “solidly tracking towards a summer opening.” Crumbs & Whiskers will be the city’s first cat café.

Another more established start-up, online hipster glasses outlet Warby Parker, announced Thursday that the company signed a lease in Georgetown at 3225 M St. NW.

The announcement follows news that Warby Parker will open its first Washington, D.C., location in Shaw, at the Shay development on 8th and Florida Avenue. The Georgetown space used to house True Religion.

Lastly, casual French steakhouse and mussel bar Maxime opens today on M street. The concept comes from Moe and Joe Idrissi along with Ben Kirane of Thunder Burger and Bodega fame. The location formerly housed Rialto and, before that, was the spot for the legendary Guards Restaurant, which had its run from 1966 to 2012.

The menu prominently features steak frites and mussels in addition to a number French hors d’oeuvres including quiche, French onion soup, charcuterie with rustic bread, and a Belgian-inspired list of specialty beers and cocktails. Maxime is located at 2915 M St. and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.