Business Ins & Outs
By • March 16, 2020 0 1283
In: Another Chocolatier, L.A. Burdick
L.A. Burdick, a fancy chocolate candy shop founded in New York, has opened at 1319 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Long anticipated, the shop offers high-end chocolates as well as pastries and drinking chocolate. This is the company’s sixth location; others are in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where it is headquartered.
In: Allbirds Lands on M
San Francisco-based Allbirds opened its first D.C. store on Feb. 27 at 3135 M St. NW, site of the shuttered Ben & Jerry’s. The new store — which says it is “known for its super comfortable, unisex shoes (and now socks!) made from sustainable materials” — takes over part of the building once occupied by Georgetown Electric Company, still the property owner. (About 30 years ago, the production office of The Georgetowner was upstairs.)
Added the shoe supplier: “Every Allbirds store has its own color pop, for the D.C. store the color pop is white, inspired by the architectural monuments of the city … Each Allbirds store has its own unique three lace colors … In the D.C. store the colors are: Mumbo Sauce Orange, Logan Circle Green, and Georgetown Grey. The D.C. store will feature a limited-edition D.C. only pair of shoes inspired by the area’s famous Cherry Blossoms.”
In: Georgetown Butcher on Grace St.
Taking Neopol Savory Smokery’s spot, Georgetown Butcher is bringing “humanely raised meats” to the Grace Street Collective at 3210 Grace St. NW, where the cool eateries are. The new business owner, Wendell Allsbrook, arrives from the Organic Butcher of McLean, according to Washingtonian. He offers premier beef, ham and poultry along with cheeses and seafood.
In: Sarah Flint Popping Up Soon
Meanwhile, Georgetown is getting another shoe shop, a pop-up — with celebrity fans that include Jessica Alba, Amal Clooney and Meghan Markle. The hip Sarah Flint will open at 1259 Wisconsin Ave. NW when coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted, offering complimentary cobbler services. Also, customers will be asked to drop off gently worn shoes (Sarah Flint or any other brand) for donation to Soles4Souls.
Coming: Blu Dot, from Minneapolis
A mod, Minnesota-based furniture retailer is coming to 3333 M St. NW, filling the large showroom space vacated by the North Face clothing company. “We design everything we make,” says Blu Dot furniture, started in 1997 by three friends after college. The sleek chairs, drawers, beds and shelves occupy a practical midrange position in the home goods sector. The M Street store will be Blu Dot’s second store on the East Coast.
Out: Ciao, Massimo Dutti!
Massimo Dutti, the luxury men’s and women’s clothing brand located at 1220 Wisconsin Ave. NW, has left town. Its Italian name notwithstanding, Massimo Dutti is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 780 stores.
