Business Ins & Outs: Uniqlo, Ellizabetta La Strega, Alfie’s, Cafe Tulúm, Flavor Hive, Bizzeria
By • August 31, 2026 0 934
In (With a Bang): Uniqlo
Uniqlo on M Street made its ribbon (bag) cutting on Aug. 28. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Uniqlo Georgetown at 3262 M St. NW made its flashy debut on Aug. 28. The 22,618-square-foot store brings Uniqlo’s LifeWear philosophy “to one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic neighborhoods, offering thoughtfully designed everyday apparel alongside unique local collaborations and community experiences,” the company told us.
Over the opening weekend, guests enjoyed a lineup of special events and exclusive offers: early access to the new Ukiyo-E UT collection before its nationwide launch, along with limited-edition UTme! customization designs inspired by Georgetown and created in collaboration with local favorites Georgetown Cupcake and D.C. artist Kelly Towles.
Opening festivities included traditional Japanese Taiko drum performances, bringing the spirit of Japanese culture to M Street. Guests enjoyed giveaways, including free cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake and breakfast vouchers on opening day for the first 300 customers making a purchase.
For shoppers looking to commemorate the occasion, the first 300 customers in line each day received a complimentary knot bag filled with exclusive goodies.
The new Georgetown location will also introduce a Re.Uniqlo Studio, where customers can extend the life of their clothing through repair services and custom embroidery. People were seen walking with Uniqlo bags over the weekend.
In: Ellizabetta La Strega to Open Sept. 9
The Elizabetta La Strega dining room to open on Sept. 9.
On Sept. 9, sommelier and restaurateur Elli Benchimol will open Ellizabetta La Strega (www.Ellizabetta.com) at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in the West End, transforming the former Marcel’s space into a bar, restaurant and private dining destination. A San Francisco native, Benchimol also owns Georgetown’s Apéro and La Bohème on P Street.
The 3,600 square-foot space will accommodate 170 guests in its dining rooms and bar/lounge and an additional 25 on its patio.
The Elizabetta La Strega bar and lounge will open on Sept. 9.
According to Benchimol, at the center of the concept is the symbol of the triple goddess: a full moon centered between waxing and waning moons, representing maiden, mother and the old woman as integrated forces within one whole presence. Benchimol’s grandmother was named Ellizabetta, and she pays homage to her with the new restaurant’s name. “La Strega” means “witch,” Benchimol’s loving name for her grandmother.
“Ellizabetta La Strega moves in cycles within cycles: the moon, the season, the mood, the meal, the night,” said Benchimol. “Italian, with a little magic,” she continued, describing the concept with humor and self-awareness as she embraces what she calls the crone stage of life.
In: Alfie’s (in the Alley) on Wednesday
Alfie’s, the short-lived Thai pop-up restaurant from the chef behind Lucky Buns, will soon be resurrected in a Georgetown alley. The Washington Business Journal reported in 2025: “Chef Alex McCoy has inked a deal for space at 1228½ 31st St. NW, part of Hamilton Court, which is undergoing a major renovation from developers Ezra and Jessica Glass, as The Georgetowner recently reported. McCoy is teaming up on the second iteration of Alfie’s with chef Justin Ahn of Annandale Korean fusion restaurant Incheon.”
On Sept. 2, Alfie’s —a northern Thai restaurant and natural wine bar—will reopen in a custom-built space in Georgetown. A soft opening kicks off the weekend before, according to Washingtonian.
“It’s got a bit of that feel of a hole-in-the-wall wine bar in Europe, but it also has the feel of a shophouse in Thailand,” McCoy said. “This wasn’t a restaurant before, but we worked really hard to make this place feel like it had been here for 40 or 50 years.”
Alfie’s is between Flora Pizzeria, also opening soon, and Two Nine Sushi along the Congress Court alley.
In: Café Tulúm on Friday
Bringing beach vibes to Georgetown, Café Tulúm opens on Friday, Sept. 4, and tells us it offers “the vibrant flavors and lively atmosphere of southern México. Specializing in tacos, tostadas, oysters and ceviches, our restaurant offers an authentic culinary experience with top-quality ingredients.” Helmed by restaurateur Juan Dracoulis, Café Tulúm joins the Grace Street Collective at 3210 Grace St. NW.
In: Flavor Hive
Last week, the popular Northern Virginia food truck Flavor Hive opened a brick-and-mortar location at 3287½ M St. NW, in the former Harmony Cafe space. Samples were given out to passersby to celebrate the debut.
Coming: Bizzeria
Michael Rafidi — who owns Albi and La’ Shukran, along with Yellow cafe and its “(not) pizza” on Wisconsin Avenue — is bringing Bizzeria to the back of 3246 Prospect St. NW, the same address as the upcoming Skillette, a cooking school by Kelly Singer. The pizza spot will have an entrance in the alleyway; the alleyway is reached from Potomac Street.
