Business Ins & Outs: Dolce Vita, Brand Guild, the Fitzgerald
By • December 4, 2023 0 1692
In: Dolce Vita, Not Steve Madden, at Wisconsin & O
Steve Madden — which used to be at 3109 M St. NW but closed five years ago — was supposed to reopen in Georgetown at Wisconsin Avenue and O Street. The new store pushed the longstanding Prince & Princess next door to 1406 Wisconsin Ave. NW. However, Parviz Mizrahi, co-owner of the classic sportswear store with his sister Lida Solmen, told The Georgetowner that Dolce Vita — Madden’s upscale brand for women’s boots, flats and sneakers — is now taking over the old Prince & Princess space. Meanwhile, the upper floors on the corner building have been converted into apartments.
In: Frank Darling Rings
The new retailer at 1305 Wisconsin Ave. NW, second floor, is another jeweler with new ideas and old-fashioned crafts. After all, Christmastime is a big draw for engagement announcements.
Frank Darling’s witty introduction caught our eyes: “We’ll be frank, darling. The diamond industry benefits from confused customers. From the low-rent retailers to the high-end boutiques, the lack of clarity is positively appalling. High-quality diamonds with scandalous mark-ups, low-quality diamonds with scandalous mark-ups; an industry that buys and sells carat and clarity this opaque? You can almost smell the irony. And online retailers? All that can really be said is…good luck.
“Shocking? Perhaps not. But still, the industry ought to be ashamed, capitalizing on love-sick individuals and their life-partners-to-be. Who can you trust, darling? How are you, dear reader, meant to know if you’re getting ripped off?
“This is where Frank Darling stands humbly at your service. Finding the best quality diamonds from around the world. And helping you and the partner of your dreams create the ring of theirs, lovingly crafted from the finest materials here in NYC. Meticulously crafted rings at ridiculously honest prices? You might say, we’re #practicallyromantic.”
New Owner: The Fitzgerald Replaces Balfour
The senior living facility Balfour Palisades has been rebranded to the Fitzgerald of Palisades and is already 30-percent leased. The retirement community is at 4865 MacArthur Blvd. NW, on the property of the former Safeway.
Kisco Senior Living is the new owner with more 30 years of experience in its industry. Michael Schonbrun and Susan Juroe have decided to retire after more than 30 years of dedicated service, wrote Fitzgerald general manager Alfonso Westley to his clients. Balfour had facilities in Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts and here on MacArthur Boulevard.
“While this is not our first endeavor in the Greater D.C. Metro area, it’s been incredible to see and experience for myself the distinct character and sense of community found in Palisades. We can’t wait to showcase The Fitzgerald’s unique blend of Art Deco style and modern amenities, while expanding on some of the innovative partnerships already established at the Carnegie. The Fitzgerald truly offers the best of both worlds, right here in the heart of the capital,” states Andy Kohlberg, president and CEO of Kisco.
Amenities at the Fitzgerald include culinary meals in three dining venues, indoor saltwater pool, sauna, fitness center and yoga studio, hair salon, theater, a library, bar, housekeeping and home maintenance services, valet parking for residents and their guests, reserved covered parking and chauffeur service. Its leasing center is at 4418 MacArthur Blvd. NW.
Moved (Temporarily): Todd Snyder Men’s Wear
Todd Snyder, the recently opened men’s clothing store at 3211 M St. NW, that temporarily closed because of an Aug. 14 fire on the top floor of its building has opened a pop-up store two blocks west at 3307 M St. NW. Check out its holiday shop, cool outerwear and wearable works of art inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Brand Guild co-founders Jayne Sandman and Barbara Martin. Photo by Tony Powell.
Moving: The Brand Guild to Former Wing Space
The Brand Guild, located at 3109 M St. NW, will be moving into space next to the C&O Canal in early 2024.
The full-service branding agency whose expertise includes public relations, marketing, events and creative, tells us it has “signed a five-year lease for the former Georgetown location of co-working space, the Wing. In addition to the Brand Guild’s Georgetown headquarters, the agency has an office in the Flatiron District in Manhattan.”
The 10,600-square-foot space at 1056 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, according to the PR firm, is “equipped with a large-scale event space with stadium seating and a green room, a restaurant-quality catering kitchen and café, a library, shower facilities, and a fitness room. The office has views of the C&O Canal and historic Georgetown throughout. The space was designed for its former tenants by interior designer Chiara de Rege and architect Alda Ly. The furnishings conveyed to the Brand Guild as part of the agreement.”
“We are thrilled to announce our move to this showcase office,” said Jayne Sandman, co-founder and co-CEO of the Brand Guild. “Our new headquarters will not only allow our team to collaborate more effectively on our award-winning work, but we will now have our own best-in-class event space that will allow us to bring unsurpassed value to clients in new, exciting ways.”
Out: Edible Arrangements
Edible Arrangements at 1600 Wisconsin Ave. NW — the corner of Q and Wisconsin — will be closing. The Atlanta-based franchising business specializes in fresh fruit arrangements, combining the idea of a fruit basket with designs inspired by a floral arrangement. The Georgetown store opened in 2009. Before that, it was a 7-Eleven. Edible Arrangements boasts more that 1,100 stores worldwide.
