Business Ins & Outs: Greco, Mèo Maison, Tatte, Skims
By November 13, 2023 0 2675
•In: Greco Ready to Open in &pizza-Au Pied de Cochon Building
Next month, an authentic Greek fast casual restaurant will open at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Dumbarton Street — 1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW — in the building which previously housed &pizza and, before that, a 5 Guys burger joint. The corner is most famous for its time as Au Pied de Cochon, the late-night and storied French restaurant.
“Greco is the neighborhood we grew up in, the stories we heard while growing up, the people we loved,” the eatery says. “Greco is a trip, and we travel along with it. And in that trip we carry our recipes and share all the smells and tastes of home. Greco is our ‘meraki,’ It’s our need to remember and create. And there’s one way and one way only to do that. Our truly Greek way.”
Another Greco is planned for Union Market. There are several in Boston, where the company is based.
In: Mèo Maison!
Yes, we have another cat cafe, as it were. The kitties are at the window at 1336 Wisconsin Ave. NW in the former Goodyear tire shop. The owners say: “Our mission is to reduce euthanasia in animal shelters and to improve the lives of homeless cats. We partner with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, who save homeless cats and kittens at risk of euthanasia and we house them in our cafe. At our cafe, we care for our cats and kittens until they are adopted!” Cafe con Bagel is next door. Mèo Maison added: “We house about 10-15 rescued cats and kittens that are looking for a permanent homes. We do run on a reservation system for guests to spend time with the cats. We highly recommend booking your visit but walk ins are welcomed depending on availability. All reservation fees go towards caring and housing the cats.”
In: Vuori on M
The California-based apparel company, Vuori, opened Nov. 11 at 3222 M St. NW in the space which was once the main entrance to the interior shopping mall, known as the Shops at Georgetown Park.
“Launched in 2015, Vuori delivers elevated, everyday essentials that blur the lines between fitness and life,” the company tells us. “An active yogi and surfer, founder Joe Kudla was motivated to create clothing that’s ‘Built to Move in. Styled For Life.’ Today, Vuori has stores in nearly 30 cities, including Malibu, New York and London.”
In: Zadig & Voltaire at Former Ecco
After renovations, French clothing brand Zadig & Voltaire looks ready to open at 1227 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the former site of shoes and leather good retailer Ecco. Founded in 1997 by Thierry Gillier, Z&V writes: “Zadig & Voltaire invents a diverse universe that thrives in the in-between. Not just for him or her, day or night, or work or leisure, the Parisian fashion house redefines modern femininity with wild, free, and rock-fueled wardrobe essentials that embody the strength and sensuality found in the rough and undone.” (The business is named after the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire and a character in one of his novellas.)
Coming: Tatte Bakery at Former Capital One Bank
Tatte Bakery will be moving into at the former Capital One Bank building at Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street, according to Georgetown Metropolitan, which cited planning applications.
Empty since May 2022, the Capital One Bank property at at 1545 Wisconsin Ave. NW was acquired by Roadside Development and Waterview Capital Management in the summer. The building and its parking lot were purchased for $3.15 million to be redeveloped for retail use.
Coming: Kim Kardashian’s Skims on M
Founded in 2019 by Kim Kardashian, shapewear brand Skims is looking to open a store at 3300 M St. NW next year, according to the Washington Business Journal, which cited a filing with the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board. The corner spot at 33rd and M currently houses a Sandro pop-up — and was an Intermix store, before that, for years.
Skims — which sells loungewear, undergarments, and other clothes — raised a $270 million funding round that valued the brand at $4 billion, The New York Times reported.
Out: Naadam to Be Replaced by Grown Brilliance
Naadam — “the world’s fairest cashmere” — at 3003 M St. NW, having set up in the former i-Thai restaurant space, departed the town after little more than a year. The space will be taken over by Grown Brilliance, which tells us: “Our mission is to create an ethical, transparent, and value-driven approach to jewelry. Our lab grown diamonds are ethically-engineered, conflict-free, and of the highest quality that never compromise on style or value. We understand that the right jewelry has the power to transform how you look and feel, and we strive to bring you that power with our commitment to timeless jewels and conscious living.”