Out: Milano Collection
The ersatz, colorfully chic, polyester-mix men’s fashion shop at 1408 Wisconsin Ave. NW has folded. If you wanted to stand out stylishly in the city, this was your place. (Yes, this newspaper had offices upstairs with a rustic-loft vibe in the late 1990s. The metal stairs on the side of the building were a nice touch, too.) Expect big changes for that old three-story building on a block that is being revived.
In: Guapo’s at Washington Harbour
Guapo’s Tex-Mex restaurant will open early next year in the space in front of the ice rink at Washington Harbour, 3050 K St. NW. Next to Nick’s Riverside Grill, the spot once held the Orange Anchor eatery. Boasting award-winning nachos and salsa, the family-owned business has other locations, including Tenleytown, Shirlington and Bethesda.
In: Vans in Place of Gant
Vans — dude, that store for skateboarding shoes — is coming to 3239 M St. NW, which once housed the Gant clothing store. Look for cool, sportive apparel, too, in line with its California upbringing and Costa Mesa headquarters.
In: DCG Sandwich Shop
Maybe the third time will be the charm. Formerly Undraa’s Cafe, and before that a Cuban sandwich joint, the eatery at 3147 Dumbarton St. NW, next to the Bank of America, has morphed into DCG (as in District Chicken & Gyro). Sorry to lose the Mongolian dumplings, though it was reminiscent of that Seinfeld episode about the Pakistani restaurant that failed.
In (Zzzzz): Insomnia Cookies
The sign is up. Founded in a dorm by a UPenn student in 2003, Insomnia Cookies has more than 100 locations, most near university campuses. The Georgetown store will soon get baking at 3204 O St. NW, where P Street Frames used to be, offering ice cream along with its warm cookies and other sweet concoctions. Most important to note: it will stay open (and delivering) until 3 a.m.
Out (Temporarily): Ben & Jerry’s
This is never a good sign. A sign on the door of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop at 3135 M St. NW reads, “We will be temporarily closing the Georgetown location to make repairs and changes to our shop. This should take several weeks and once all repairs are made we will be open to serve you once again.” Here’s hoping Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey come through okay.
Out: Camper
The classic, contemporary shoe store from Spain at 3219 M St. NW has closed.
Out: United Bank’s 30th St. Office
The Winsor Branch of United Bank, once a branch of the Bank of Georgetown, closed Nov. 27. The other Georgetown branch for United Bank remains at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and K Street.
L.A. Group to Buy Key Bridge Marriott Property
The Key Bridge Marriott and its property are to be sold in early 2018 to a joint venture of Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital and Woodridge Capital for more than $180 million, according to Real Estate Alert. Across the Potomac River from Georgetown, next to the Virginia side of Key Bridge — with stunning views of the nation’s capital — it is the oldest Marriott hotel property still in use and the second built. Opened in 1959, the 583-room hotel at 1401 Lee Highway in Arlington will be redeveloped with additional retail or residences added on the 5.5-acre property. The Marriott name is expected to remain on the hotel.
In: Tuckernuck on O Street
The brick-and-mortar revival continues. Tuckernuck, the homegrown preppy- clothing retailer that began as an e-commerce business, is opening a location at 3216 O St. NW in the space occupied for decades by Susquehanna Antique Company.
