By Robert Devaney and Kate Oczypok
In: Brandy Melville
Hmm, it smells like teen spirit, for sure. A Brandy Melville has set up shop at 3307B M St. NW in the space once occupied by womenswear chain Calypso St. Barth. The hip, young-women’s clothing line was founded near Rome, Italy, by Silvio and Stephan Marsan, with the first store opening 15 years ago. In 2009, the company opened its first U.S. store in Westwood Village, California — totally appropriate, given the beachy, Euro styles of the clothes. As for the company name? Well, the story goes that Brandy, an American girl, goes to Rome and falls in love with Melville, an English boy …
In: Georgetown Gourmet
Georgetown Gourmet opened at 3421 M St. NW, replacing the West Side branch of Cafe Tu-o-Tu; the original is still on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Four Seasons. For locals, the new place is not that big a change. It offers paninis, salads, soups and wraps “made with only freshly-cut vegetables, warm buttery delicious breads and meats roasted in-house dressed in adventurous sauces and spreads. A bang for your buck and belly!”
In: MacKenzie-Childs
Accessories and housewares shop MacKenzie-Childs popped up in Georgetown earlier this month, offering upscale items and gifts just in time for the holiday season. Traffic at the Georgetown outpost at 1037 33rd St. NW will be observed for six months to see if the location is right for a planned permanent MacKenzie-Childs store in D.C.
The shop already has a dedicated fan base in the area, according to Rebecca Proctor, creative director of MacKenzie-Childs, based in New York’s Finger Lakes region. “People who appreciate MacKenzie-Childs love theater, fabulous restaurants, museums and creativity and Washington has it all,” Proctor said. “It’s a natural spot for us.”
The shop offers specific collections as well as tabletop items, kitchenware, furniture, outdoor items, décor, accessories, children’s items and gifts for all occasions. The designs are created by artisans with individuality in mind; no two pieces in the whimsical collection are alike. One of Proctor’s favorite items is the tea kettle. Its silhouette, cheerful presence and colorful pattern epitomizes everything about MacKenzie-Childs to her. “The tea kettle is a perfect example of where utility and everyday meet imagination,” she said.
Coming: Joe’s Upstairs
Look for a coffee shop called Joe’s Upstairs to set up on the second floor of the Frye boots store at 1066 Wisconsin Ave. NW, next to the entrance to Pinstripes and the C&O Canal.
Curio’s First Anniversary
Curio, the zippy, eclectic clothing and accessories boutique at 1071 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, celebrated its first anniversary last week with a party called “The Immaculate Reception.” The invitation playfully depicted an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an example of the individualistic store’s embrace of the unexpected. “My vision is to explore Curio’s personality that will continue to evolve just like a person’s,” says Curio founder and D.C. native Lena Farouki. “We will change the interior décor and constantly search for new designers. In my opinion, one of the greatest dangers is resisting change.”
Georgetown BID News
At the Oct. 3 members’ meeting of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, held at the City Tavern Club, a number of new and continuing promotional programs and upcoming get-togethers were announced.
- Never fear, Halloween returns Oct. 31.
- A C&O Canal workshop will convene Nov. 2 in a vacant space in theGeorgetown Park retail building across from Dean & Deluca.
- Fall Days of Design will take place in the Georgetown Design District Nov. 2to 4.
- On Nov. 5, 210 Christmas wreaths will go up on streetlights, along with rooflighting (there may be a last-minute chance to get on the list).
- Christmas trees will be erected at Francis Scott Key Park at 34th & M Streetsand Meigs Park on Pennsylvania Avenue, across from the Four Seasons.Lights will go up on Book Hill at Wisconsin Avenue & Reservoir Road.
- Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25.
- The annual BID window competition will run the entire month of December.
- The annual “Georgetown Glow” light exhibition will be on view Dec. 8through Jan. 7. On Dec. 6, there will be a reception at the Ritz-Carlton.The BID reported that pedestrian counts on Georgetown sidewalks show a slight increase over last year. Here is the credit-card spending breakdown: 8 percent from zip code 20007; 29 percent from D.C.; 58 percent from the Washington region. A survey of Georgetown residents’ shopping preferences is planned.
