Business Ins & Outs: Alara, Octobre Éditions, Arc’teryx, Ateliers Jacob
By • January 27, 2025 0 560
In: Hakan Ilhan’s Alara on Feb. 5
The long-shuttered Paolo’s Ristorante space has metamorphosized into Alara, a Mediterranean-focused restaurant by Hakan Ilhan. Meaning “beautiful water fairy” in Turkish, Alara will feature seasonal menus and wines with a focus on the four Mediterranean coastal nations of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon and Israel. It will open to the public on Feb. 5.
The prime restaurant space at 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW is next to Dig eatery, which took the smaller corner portion of the old Paolo’s, which closed in August 2018 after a 30-year run.
Ilhan’s extensive portfolio includes Brasserie Liberte, one block away at 3251 Prospect Street — along with Al Dente on New Mexico Avenue and Il Piatto on 16th Street at Black Lives Matter Plaza.
In: Octobre Éditions at Sézane
The Parisian brand Octobre Éditions will take over Sézane’s Washington, D.C., Appartement on Jan. 28 at 1211 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
The company tells us: “Founded in 2016, Octobre — the Parisian-inspired menswear essentials brand imagined by Sézane’s Morgane Sézalory — was born out of the idea to get back to the basics of menswear, the distinctive pieces that are always needed and that the brand takes pleasure in rediscovering year after year.”
In: Arc’teryx on March 1
Canada’s Arc’teryx will open March 1 at 3218 M St. NW, in a former saloon, J. Paul’s, famous during the later years of the 20th century.
The high-end apparel company specializes in outdoor apparel and equipment — with a focus on Alpine sports and mountaineering — and is headquartered in British Columbia. Its status-symbol logo refers to a dinosaur fossil.
In: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila — a unique fast-casual taqueria that has established a reputation in Miami for Mexican street food-inspired fare and high-energy nightlife — has opened at 2127 Eye St. NW
Founded in South Beach in 2015 by Menin Hospitality’s Keith Menin and Jared Galbut, the restaurant has earned the title, “best tacos in Miami.”
In: Life Alive Organic Cafe
Life Alive Organic Cafe opens tomorrow with its first-ever location outside greater Boston here in the West End at 2301 M St NW.
Life Alive’s D.C. menu features vegetarian and protein-dense dishes—including warm grain bowls, salads, ramen style broth and noodle bowls and seasonal soups, along with smoothies and juices.
To celebrate the grand opening on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Life Alive will be handing out branded tote bags to the first 100 guests in line, and there will be complimentary lattés or cappuccinos, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or while supplies last.
Coming: Ateliers Jacob
Canadian cabinetry manufacturer, Ateliers Jacob, will partner with Yuri Sagatov, principal of the Virginia-based ODE Design, to open its first U.S. flagship in Georgetown’s Design District at 3330 Cady’s Alley NW early this year. The brand, known for its high-end custom cabinetry and design focused on well-being, is beginning its American expansion with a five-year lease with WastBanc for the 3,300-square-foot space.
Ateliers Jacob is a leading Canadian kitchen and millwork design and manufacturing brand, with five locations throughout Québec and more in Ontario and Alberta. A second-generation family-owned company founded in 1987 just north of Montreal, the brand continues its growth in the U.S.
“At Ateliers Jacob, our passion for kitchen and millwork design extends beyond aesthetics; it’s about fostering well-being within the heart of people’s homes,” said Catherine B. de la Sablonnière, creative director at Ateliers Jacob and partner of the new D.C. flagship. “With its charming buildings and bustling design scene, Georgetown was the obvious choice for our first U.S. flagship. It’s the perfect area to make a statement right out of the gate.”
Coming: Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette bakery chain is expanding in and around Washington, D.C. — and that includes Georgetown.
“The concept, which started out in South Korea, marked grand openings earlier this month in Alexandria, Germantown, and Springfield, bringing its total to 10, with up to 15 more stores in the pipeline,” reports the Washington Business Journal. “That includes a push into the District itself, with leases under negotiation in Georgetown, Penn Quarter, the Navy Yard and Woodley Park, per Nick Scaccio, the company’s chief operating officer for North America.”
Paris Baguette specializes in freshly baked pastries, bread and cakes, all produced on site daily. It has a partnership with coffee brand Lavazza.
Coming: The Salty
Coming into the former Peet’s Coffee shop at 33rd and M is The Salty, as first reported by Georgetown Metropolitan: “It’s a donut shop, which should really help fill the (ahem) hole that was left when District Donut closed up shop.”
Coming: Mejuri on M
An “everyday fine jewelry” store, Mejuri, is coming to 3225 M St. NW and is on a “mission to redefine luxury.”
