Business Ins & Outs: Hungry for Tacos or Lobster?

NEW MANAGEMENT: SARA’S
MARKET ON Q

There’s a new business owner of Sara’s Market at 3008 Q St. NW. The store is being refreshed and restocked with the top-quality items patrons expect, according to Nathaniel Hailu. Along with fine wines and cheeses, the dry cleaning and alteration services remain. Neighbors are relieved and very happy.

SHUT DOWN TEMPORARILY: CHARCOAL TOWN AND MIRAMAR

Two 31st Street eateries (and neighborhood nuisances), Charcoal Town Hookah and Shawarma at 1027 and Miramar Shawarma and Hookah Bar at 1033, were temporarily shut down on Jan. 30 by the District Department of Health for violating COVID restrictions, serving after midnight and allowing hookah smoking in the establishments.

CONGRATS: FOUR SEASONS GETS TOP MARKS

U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in rankings, consumer advice and information (and headquartered at 1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW), recognized the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, as the number-one hotel in the city and the numbersix best in the nation in its annual evaluation of hotels that offer high-quality amenities and exceptional experiences. “Our hotel being selected as #1 in DC and #6 in the U.S. is an incredible honor, and we are so grateful,” said David Bernand, regional vice president and the property’s GM. “The creativity, resiliency and innovation that our team has shown over the past year has been incredibly inspiring, and I am so happy that we were able to continue to offer extraordinary experiences and wow our guests.”

IN: AMIGO MIO ON M

No more pho for you, my friend! Amigo Mio, a new Mexican restaurant — in the location that Miss Saigon called home for nearly two decades — opened at 3057 M St. NW last week.

OUT: BREDICE BROS. SHOE REPAIR AND HARDWARE STORE

Mr. Lee has closed his hardware store and shoe repair business at 1305 35th St. NW after almost 20 years. He returned to South Korea because of declining business and COVID precautions. Lee was beloved by many for his advice on tools, screws and shoes, as well as his witty retorts and teasing nature.

IN: LOBSTER ROLLS & RAY BANS

At 3030 M St. NW a Ray-Ban sunglasses shop is about to open. Two blocks west, at the former Paul Bakery, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is fixing to open at 1078 Wisconsin Ave. NW. It has locations from Dupont Circle to Rehoboth and Miami.