Business Ins & Outs: Beer Garden, Faherty, Revelle, Cat Cafe, Peacock Café
By June 16, 2021 0 1278
•Proposed: Beer Garden at Latham Hotel Site
A beer garden has been proposed for 3000 M St. NW, the site of an officially “blighted property,” where Le Madeleine Bakery & Cafe once stood in front of the former Latham Hotel. “Villa Services, a D.C. real estate developer, is pitching a 300+ seat beer garden,” according to UrbanTurf, which added food trucks might also be involved as well as movies projected on the empty walls. “For far too long the space at 3000 M St. NW has been neglected and been an eyesore in our otherwise historic and beautiful neighborhood,” Villa Services said in a statement to D.C.’s Historic Preservation Office. “We have been in talks with Thor Equities for over a year now to activate this site.” Hmmm, we shall see …
In: Julia’s Ice Cream Cart
Here’s the scoop, Rachel Shank first told us. “There’s a new ice cream cart coming to the #GeorgetownMainStreet corridor. Julia from @maracaspops is teaming up with Basset’s Ice Cream to bring a new dessert option to #Georgetowndc.” Open noon to 10 p.m., Julia’s Ice Cream Cart made its debut over the weekend at 3206 N St. NW, next to Martin’s Tavern. The cart serves a variety of treats, including the Maracas Ice Pops you know and love like mango and coconut, but also new Basset’s super-premium ice cream.
In: Faherty Comes to M
Founded by twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty, the lifestyle American clothing brand that revolves around the beach has arrived at 3263 M St. NW, just in time for summer. Faherty Brand now has more than ten stores — from Martha’s Vineyard to Malibu — and calls itself “the best boutique for men’s and women’s eco-friendly swimwear and premium casual clothes.”
Out: AllSaints Leaves M
London-based fashion retailer AllSaints Spitalfields ended its almost five-year run on 3235 M St. NW. AllSaints sells menswear, womenswear apparel, footwear and accessories in 279 stores across 27 countries.
In: Revelle on Book Hill
The Revelle Shop pop-up opened last week at 1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The ready-to-wear spot makes its run through Sept. 30.
In: Designer Library on Book Hill, Too
Janine Guerin and Chad Mitchell have opened their first brick-and-mortar location at 1667 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The gallery-style showroom welcomes clients who are in the market for textiles, wall coverings, lighting, furniture and outdoor fabrics. Designer Library is open to the trade only.
Back: Cat Cafe Opens June 26
Closed during pandemic restrictions, the Crumbs & Whiskers cat cafe at 3109 M St., NW will reopen to the public June 26. Along with coffee and playtime, patrons may get to adopt kittens or cats, thanks to rescue group Homeward Trails. Check for available times.
Moved: Shop Made in DC, Two Blocks Down
Shop Made in DC, a retail initiative to market Washington, D.C.’s makers and artists, moved to a bigger space in Georgetown. Check out the new 2,400-square-foot store at 1353 Wisconsin Ave. NW, next to Compass Coffee.
Closing: First Round of Georgetown Glow
It’s true—Georgetown Glow is ending its spring run on June 27. That leaves you this week and the weekend to check out the outdoor installations. Put on by the Georgetown Business Improvement District, Glow is the region’s only free, curated outdoor public light experience. With the weather we’ve been having, it’s a great time to walk around the neighborhood and explore the creative settings. More on Glow can be found here. By the way, don’t worry if you miss this round—the next iteration will be July 2 through September 26.
Anniversary: Happy 30th, Peacock Café!
A Georgetown favorite, Peacock Café, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Now at 3251 Prospect Street, the restaurant was opened by brothers Shahab and Maziar Farivar in 1991 as a six-seat restaurant-carryout without a real stove or kitchen, ahead of its time with healthful sandwiches and gourmet coffee, just down the street from its present location near the glitzy likes of Morton’s steak house and Cafe Milano.
The brothers Farivar are a classic American success story. They immigrated to the United States at a young age, sent here from Iran by their parents who would join them later in the wake of the Iranian revolution that toppled the Shah in the 1970s.
Manager Shahab knows and charms his patrons, and chef Maziar continues his award-winning dishes, highlighted at James Beard Foundation Dinners and the U.S. State Department.
Peacock Café offers its contemporary American cuisine with a cosmopolitan twist, along with a varied wine selection in a sleek space with outdoor seating. There’s something for everyone.
And everyone from frontline workers and your neighbors to Hillary Clinton and Gal Gadot have been there, including the entire staff of The Georgetowner, past and present. Happy 30th, Peacock!