Business Ins & Outs Dec. 20, 2017
By • December 20, 2017 0 483
By Robert Devaney and Selma Khenissi
In: Holiday Pop-Up Shop
A big sign at 1661 1⁄2 Wisconsin Ave. NW shouts out: “HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP.” A closer inspection shows something more specific: the Pink House Pop-Up Shop. You can expect the smell of Christmas in the air, literally, while looking for gifts for loved ones. This temporary shop sells mostly jewelry, with many items priced under $100. One can also find accessories and items to wear during the winter. The store will be open until Dec. 23.
In: Paradiso Game Room
What’s old is new again. Pizzeria Paradiso’s basement beer bar Birreria Paradiso is becoming a game room next month — complete with darts, pinball and video games. Serious beer drinking will move up to the ground floor at 3282 M St. NW.
Correction: Camper Is Open
The Nov. 22 issue of The Georgetowner erroneously reported that Camper had closed. The classic, contemporary shoe store from Spain at 3219 M St. NW is open. It had merely closed temporarily for renovations. The Georgetowner regrets the error.
Out: Unum Exits the Pluribus on M Street
Georgetown’s hip, high-end and eclectic “Cheers” restaurant at 2917 M St. NW served its last meal Saturday, Dec. 16. For six years, helmed by chef Phillip Blane, who arrived from Equinox and points beyond, Unum lived up to its name and gastronomical ambitions.
“After six wonderful years it is time to say last call at Unum,” wrote Blane and co- owner Laura Schiller, his wife. “There are no words to express the gratitude and overwhelming sense of pride we have in our little restaurant and for the many fantastic people who made it all happen. But it was our customers, particularly our neighbors, who helped create our special community whom we will miss most. If any of you are wondering, you can say ‘congratulations’ and not ‘I’m sorry’ for the events which recently transpired that have led to this day.”
Named for the United States’ motto, “E pluribus unum” (Latin for “out of many, one”), the restaurant reflected what Blane said he liked about the phrase: its affirmation of America’s melting-pot culture.
Having taken over the spot of Mendocino Grille, Unum will be replaced by a restaurant owned by business interests from Dubai, according to those familiar with the situation. Blane would not say what lies ahead for him, but Schiller is expected to keep her day job as chief of staff for Sen. Barbara Boxer, Democrat from California.
Out: Daily Grill at Georgetown Inn
The Daily Grill restaurant at the Georgetown Inn at 1310 Wisconsin Ave. NW closed Sunday, Dec. 17 — abruptly posting on social media: “Thank you to all our loyal guests and the Georgetown community for your support for 18 great years.” A national chain, the Daily Grill has other nearby locations at 18th and M Streets NW and in Bethesda, Maryland.
Out: Bruegger’s Bagels in Glover Park
Bruegger’s Bagels at 2334 Wisconsin Ave. NW closed last week. While sometimes suffering from slow service, the eatery baked some pretty good bagels for D.C., even some lovers of New York City bagels admitted. The business came to Glover Park in 2009.
Leaving in ’18: Morton’s the Steakhouse
According to the property owner of the complex, Georgetown Court at 3251 Prospect St. NW, as well as a real estate agency, Morton’s, the upscale steak restaurant, will depart its Georgetown location during the first half of next year. Morton’s has been on Prospect Street for almost 30 years. Connor McCarthy of Miller Walker Retail Real Estate said the 7,000-square-foot retail-restaurant space will be available in the spring of 2018. At press time, Morton’s had not responded to inquiries from The Georgetowner.
