Business Ins & Outs: July 13, 2022
By • July 13, 2022 0 1402
Farewell to Sara’s Market and Girma Hailu A Georgetown tradition of more than a century ended last month. Sara’s Market at 3008 Q St. NW shut its doors for good on June 28.
Business owner Girma Hailu — who closed his 7-Eleven at 2617 P St. NW in May after decades working there and owning the franchise with his wife Tsige “Chu-Chu” Sebsibe — made the difficult decision a few weeks ago. “I really tried, but it just doesn’t make sense anymore,” Hailu told The Georgetowner. “I love this neighborhood. This place is home.”
Last year, with encouragement from the neighborhood, Hailu bought Sara’s business, refreshed the old store and restocked it with the top-quality items patrons wanted. Along with fine wines and cheeses, the dry cleaning and alteration services continued. Neighbors were supportive.
However, daily revenues at the small store were increasingly abysmal — its bottomline likely cut into by more online grocery services and newer stores opening up this year.
In: Pressed, Juiced Up
The shiny juice joint at 1300 Wisconsin Ave. NW in the former space of the Papyrus card store opened July 8 to lines waiting out the door. Store manager Evan Hrycyk, who ran Pressed stores in Orange County, California, says the new spot is his company’s 116th store and that he is “stoked” to be in Georgetown. Pressed began in 2010 as a 25 square-foot “juice closet” in Los Angeles and included a food truck in Malibu. It offers its signature cold-pressed juices along with plant-based foods.
In: Storie Collective Design Firm
Storie Collective: Unique Kitchens & Baths opened June 22 at 1506 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The design firm tells us: “From whole home renovations to single room remote designs, Storie Collective collaborates with families and trade professionals to create approachable and authentic spaces that tell a story.” It provides two principal services: full-service design and remote design for residential and commercial interiors. Founder and creative director Sara Swabb lives in Georgetown with her husband, Erik, and two daughters, Tippi and Minna. The lead designer is Mirentxu Meyer.
Out: Georgetown Allure
Georgetown Allure, the skincare medical spa at 3288 M St. NW, next to Pizza Paradiso, has closed. The business announced that the closure is temporary — “Due to unprecedented delays in our revamp project at Georgetown Allure, we will be temporarily closed and all appointments are set to be rescheduled. We appreciate your patience and understanding and apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused. We look forward to servicing you very soon!” — but its sign is off the building and a for-lease sign is in the window. Moving: Pacers Running… to Wisconsin Ave. Pacers Running, now at 3273 M St. NW, is planning to move to 1079 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the former space of Lily Pulitzer and Sarah Flint.
Fall Debut: Yellow to Open, Next to Lutèce
Yellow cafe will open in the fall at 1524 Wisconsin Ave. NW, between Lutèce bistro, the closed Little Birdies boutique and the George Town Club.
“Chef Michael Rafidi is opening a second location of his popular Eastern Mediterranean cafe, Yellow,” Washingtonian reported. “The Navy Yard spot, which specializes in Levantine cuisine, will expand to Georgetown this fall. On tap: homemade pastries like orange blossom croissants, wood-fired pita sandwiches, vegetable dishes, interesting wines, and specialty coffee drinks. Whereas the original Yellow adjoins Rafidi’s Michelin-starred dinner destination, Albi, the Georgetown cafe will be its own standalone show with all-day hours and more room to dine. The cafe — outfitted with 30 seats indoors and a 30-person patio—will eventually run morning through night.”
Correction: UpWest in Former Kiehl’s; Hatley in Former Dawn Price Shop
UpWest, a casual women’s clothing store, opened at 3110 M St. NW, part of the Canal Square retail complex — in the former Kiehl’s Skincare space. UpWest’s motto is “Progress Over Perfection,” and the retailer writes: “We believe moving forward is more important than being perfect. That’s why we strive to use more and more sustainable fabrics, give generously to those in need and only work with Brands We Believe In for our non apparel items.”
Hatley, on the opposite side of the Canal Square entrance, occupies the former space of the Dawn Price store at 3112 M St. NW and is best known for its PVC-free rain gear and cotton pajamas. John and Alice Oldland started Hatley as a cottage business in North Hatley, Québec, Canada, in 1986. Today, Montreal-based Hatley sells its products in approximately 3,300 stores in North America and in more than 20 countries. It operates a direct-to-consumer website and 15 corporate stores in North America, the latest in Georgetown, D.C.
