Business

Peter Murray • September 18, 2015

After instigating more than 23 cat adoptions, changes are coming to Crumbs and Whiskers, the cat café at 3211 O St. NW that opened two months ago.

First, the price of admission has been increased from $10 to $15. On the bright side, Crumbs and Whiskers will now offer customers complimentary coffee and tea, with the option to buy pastries, prepared off-site by Pâtisserie Poupon.

To reduce overcrowding, the café will now limit the amount of customers allowed inside from 37 to 24. New seating is also available inside.

Despite the changes, cat cafes remain popular. There is now a fundraising campaign to start one across the river in Alexandria, Va.

Chuck Baldwin • September 17, 2015

Under the gun for security lapses, the Secret Service is hiring, big time. Over the next five years, the agency will add 700 officers to the uniformed division and 400 agents. At 17 percent, it is the largest increase in more than 10 years, as the agency tries to repair its reputation following numerous highly visible scandals.

After moving from the Treasury Department to the Department of Homeland Security, the agency’s annual funding fell from its previous pace, and hiring slowed. The 2016 budget, with a 16 percent increase — the largest since joining Homeland Security — appears to be a response to the notoriety.

According to a statement by Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary, “This hiring campaign is the result of attrition, anticipated growth and in response to recommendations set forth by the Protective Mission Panel in December 2014,” which occurred after a man entered the White House after jumping a fence.

Robert Devaney •

Free People, a Bohemian chic-inspired apparel and retail store that sells women’s clothing and accessories, will open its first store in D.C. – at 3009 M St., NW – on Friday, Aug. 21.

It is also throwing a grand opening party, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 21, with refreshments as well as free styling sessions in the new store, which sits between Sprinkles Cupcakes and Hu’s Shoes. The first 50 guests to arrive will get a free gift (we hear it will be a Free People tote bag).

Owned by Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, Free People has more than 81 boutiques in the U.S. and two in Canada. It has six stores in the Washington area. [gallery ids="102294,127655,127649,127667,127676,127660" nav="thumbs"]

Peter Murray •

The D.C. Public Service Commission, a regulatory agency in charge of overseeing electric, natural gas and telephone companies, among others, rejected Exelon’s proposal to buy Pepco in a $6.6 billion bid on August 25.

After examining seven “public interest factors,” like the effect on ratepayers, competition in the market and the environment, the Commission concluded that, “taken as a whole, the transaction as proposed by Exelon and Pepco is not in the public interest.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to the decision, saying, “I support the decision against the proposed merger. Moving forward, we want to ensure that DC utility ratepayers receive quality service, that we maintain and grow jobs in the District, and that we keep DC on our continued path toward sustainability.” The decision was also supported by POWER DC, a coalition formed against the merger.

Pepco and Exelon released a joint statement in response to the decision, saying, “We are disappointed with the Commission’s decision and believe it fails to recognize the benefits of the merger to the District of Columbia and its residents and businesses.” The release goes on to say that the two companies “continue to believe our proposal is in the public interest and provides direct immediate and long-term benefits to customers, enhances reliability and preserves our role as a community partner.” They said they “will review our options with respect to this decision” to figure out a path forward.

Robert Devaney • August 31, 2015

Carl Ray, makeup artist to first lady Michelle Obama and other Washington, D.C., luminaries, has left George, the beauty salon for VIPs at the Four Season Hotel, for One80 Salon on K Street. Ray had worked at George for 16 years and told the staff Saturday of his departure.

Besides the first lady, Ray’s client list includes the famous and powerful in politics and entertainment: Nancy Pelosi, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagen, Valerie Jarrett and Bill Clinton as well as Queen Noor and Princess Hussein along with Natalie Portman, Claire Danes, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

“I want to be a part of this new wave of renaissance in fashion and beauty taking place in the city right now,”
Ray told the Washington Post. “There is a resurgence and energy that is downtown. I have watched this area grow, and I want to be a part of this movement.”

Ray’s move comes about a year after he broke from his partner, Rick Raines, manager of George, leaving his time there tenuous.

Georgetowner • August 19, 2015

Last week, Mad Fox Breweries opened its D.C. gastropub, Max Fox Taproom, at 2218 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Bill Madden, Mad Fox CEO and executive brewer, and Rick Garvin, his business partner, started Mad Fox in 2007. Falls Church will remain the hub of the operation, with all the beers brewed there in its 16-barrel brewery. The new location will showcase Mad Fox’s award-winning handcrafted beers with draft and English-style cask service, including up to 24 draft and cask options.
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Robert Devaney •

Little Birdies Boutique, which made its debut on P Street in 2014, has moved its children’s clothing store just around the corner to a smaller space (700 square feet) at 1526 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

“We are thrilled to be moved into our new Wisconsin Avenue location,” owner Shanlee Johnson tells us. “Our new space offers in-house custom monogramming by the local favorite, Whyte House Monograms, and we are looking forward to all the fun events we have planned for fall. Join us in October for our grand opening party and enjoy discounts, swag bags and celebration.”
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Georgetowner •

With the artistic talents of designer Sheila Bridges from New York and the marketing reach of American Express, selected shops on the 3200 block of P Street got their doors and window fronts lit up and prettied up with a reindeer theme. The lights and displays went up on Nov. 29, Small Business Saturday, and will remain through 2014. Said designer Bridges: “Every business here complements the other. It is amazing. They have a great sense of pride.” Word on the streets persisted that President Obama had planned to make a stop at P Street for Small Business Saturday but nixed the idea because of the Ferguson protest march on M Street.

Georgetowner •

The innovative art gallery All We Art, at 33rd Street and Wisconsin Avenue, has left its physical space after a year. It will maintain its online business, AllWeArtStudio.com.

On its Facebook page, the gallery gave its friends and patrons a unique valediction: “Wanderer, your footsteps are the road. Art is an ever-changing way of expression, and so is the art market in our ever-changing world. All We Art, following its mission and its destiny, is going forward. We are moving online. Our art space will no longer be open to the public for walk-in purchases in Georgetown. Soon, you will able to shop art and handicrafts at our renewed website. We thank you all for your support, and we hope we’ll see you soon over the cloud. We are keeping you posted as always. Thanks, gracias, merci!!!”

Georgetowner •

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Bank of Georgetown launched a new initiative called “Give Back: Tenfold.” It’s an employee-led, company-wide program that supports 10 of the causes for which their employees volunteer, giving their time, talents and resources. After compiling a list of those organizations, the following were selected: Alternative House, Community Residences, Cornerstone Montgomery, D.C. Public Schools, First Book, Fisher House, Georgetown Ministry Center, Kids in Need Distributors (KIND), Martha’s Table and New York Avenue Men’s Emergency Shelter.

“Service is at the heart of our culture, and we respect the limitless energy our team dedicates to giving back. This is the perfect time to celebrate the philanthropic interests of our employees and their spirit of generosity. So, we asked them, ‘What charities are you passionate about?’ ” said Mike Fitzgerald, chairman, president and CEO.
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