Business

Robert Devaney • October 10, 2013

The restaurant design group, headed by Karen and Richard McCooey, is branching out into sales of classic American art prints and sports merchandise. You may know the McCooey name, as Richard founded three Georgetown classics: 1789, the Tombs and F. Scott’s, now owned by Clyde’s Restaurant Group.

The McCooeys’ new website, featuring the first names of the couple, went live a few months ago. It is filled with artwork of the golden age of illustration that can be seen at the Tombs — along with a new product line. While selling art, the site also is offering sports shirts that salute such sports as rowing, tennis and golf as well as giving women athletes their due.

“We wanted to represent men’s and women’s success, achievement and strength,” said Karen McCooey. “It is called ‘The Trophy Ceremony.’ . . . It’s time for women to have their own emblem, not a man riding a polo pony.”

The art selection starts with rowing, some of it is new, and shows the sport’s camaraderie. There’s more art coming, and the site will be expand its apparel selection, Karen said. “The prints romanticize the best of American sports, especially collegiate,” she said.

One of the grandest prints, available for sale, is “Georgetown University at the Millennium,” an aerial view of the main campus and the Potomac with historic Healy Building at the center.

It’s a natural leap for the pair, as a McCooey-designed restaurant is alive with art, illuminating the soul of the place, its history or its owners. Some of those places include work at various Clyde’s restaurants, the Tap Room of the George Town Club, Union Street Cafe in Alexandria, the Tap Room at the Greenbrier — and as far away as the Polo Club at the Marriott Grand Aurora Hotel in Moscow.

“I’m a sporting person,” said Karen, who is an artist herself and wants the art and apparel to be a celebration of sports, just like the Tombs, where you can catch the couple dining regularly.

Visit RichardandKarenMarie.com for more details.

Georgetowner •

This weekend, fashion and arts will take over the neighborhood of Georgetown, thanks to the Georgetown Business Improvement District. The first-ever Fashion, Art and Design event – hence, FAD Georgetown — kicks off Thurs., Oct.10, and will run through Sat., Oct. 12. Enjoy art exhibitions, food and fun.

FAD KICKOFF: OCT. 10
FAD’s kickoff will consist of scattered art exhibits to be found throughout Georgetown. There’s no telling where you’ll stumble upon something surprising, the Georgetown BID promises: it’s time to “come out and play.”

FAD FASHION: OCT. 11, 6 P.M. TO 10 P.M.
Friday will be fashion-focused and a great opportunity to get discounts on fall trends. Whether you are on the lookout for vintage or new, cocktail dresses or sneakers, there will be something for everybody. Over the course of the weekend, more than 50 stores will be hosting in-store events, some which will include DJs, snacks and refreshments – all you could possibly want for a fun night out.

There will be a pop-up red carpet events as well as a “Street Style Live” photo set-up for FAD attendees at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street.

Among the shops, Tari Boutique will be serving mini-cupcakes and pumpkin margaritas to guests. Madewell will provide tips from top stylists as well as store discounts. Diesel will be serving cocktails, and Britt Ryan will provide complimentary wine and champagne while you shop. You’ll be able to peruse the fashion scene while sipping something delicious.

Don’t forget the savings – many participating shops are offering discounts as well as a chance to win gift cards to the stores. Stroll around to find the latest fashions at the best prices.

FAD ART & DESIGN: OCT. 12, NOON TO 6 P.M.
Saturday is dedicated to art and design. Art galleries will be hosting auctions, while interior design stores will be unveiling the newest, trendiest interior looks.

Guests can wander around the town to view exhibitions, participate in art walks and hear from film directors. Numerous places will be offering deals and opportunities to win gift cards. Babette and CB2, for example, will be offering $100 and $200 gift cards, respectively. Just as they did in the fashion sector the night before, guests can enjoy light refreshments in the galleries and shops. There will also be DIY crafting, like Flor’s DIY with Flor and Topaz + Arrow. Demonstrations in the arts of ravioli will take place at Pedini and flower arranging and Heiner Contemporary.

For more details click here. [gallery ids="101489,151781,151787,151786" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • October 7, 2013

Another famous space — once the home of the legendary Guards restaurant which closed last summer — at 2915 M St., NW, is now the Venetian-inspired Rialto, an Italian eatery, owned by Moe and Joe Idrissi, who run Thunder Burger across the street. Meanwhile, the old sign for the Guards restaurant is being auctioned off on Ebay, with the starting price of $10,000. (No bid yet as of noon, Sept. 24; proceeds of the sale will go to D.C. Central Kitchen.) The bidding will end Sept. 26, the same day as the official opening for Rialto. The Peabody Room of the Georgetown Public Library has asked for the sign as a donation because of its historical value.

Robert Devaney • September 23, 2013

Gypsy Sally’s, the live music venue and multi-use event space at 3401 Water Street, NW, above Malmaison Restaurant, will open Thursday, Sept. 12.

“Featuring local, regional and national Americana acts on its stage, Gypsy Sally’s hopes to complement the venerable Blues Alley as well as evoke memories of Georgetown’s entertainment heyday when locals and tourists had their choice of multiple venues,” the company said. Located nearly at the banks of the Potomac River, Gypsy Sally’s wants patrons to feel the vibe of the departed Bayou, the Cellar Door, Desperado’s and Crazy Horse Saloon.

Venue owners David and Karen Ensor, husband and wife, bring a diverse and extensive history of experience, knowledge and passion for the live music industry to their project, the group said.
“As a veteran musician and restaurant worker, this has been a dream a long time coming,” David Ensor said. “We are very excited to create an active relationship with the community to grow and create a space that Georgetown can make its own.”

Here’s more directly from the enthusiastic Gypsy Sally’s folks:

Gypsy Sally’s is comprised of three separate spaces, the largest space devoted to the Music Room. Gypsy Sally’s also has a Vinyl Lounge where patrons will enjoy music from classic vinyl records and an Art Gallery, both of which are perfect for events and rentals. The 1902 building was formerly an ice factory and is generously proportioned with tall ceilings perfect for live music.

The room is designed with tiered seating platforms to improve sight lines and has had acoustic treatments to ensure great sound. Consulting on the audio equipment are Greg Lukens of Washington Pro Sound and Tim Kidwell of the Birchmere.

An Americana theme pervades the space, with authentic barn wood, American flag murals and even an antique VW bus. “Our hippy bus is sure to leave a few patrons scratching their heads and asking why? Our response is simply, why not?” quips David Ensor.

Directing the Gypsy Sally’s kitchen is Donald Spencer, an experienced chef coming from Range, Bryan Voltaggio’s Friendship Heights eatery, and before that, 2941 and Panache.

Gypsy Sally’s will delight the locavore, as its cuisine goals are driven by the local farmers’ markets and food purveyors, with an emphasis on all aspects of the F.L.O.S.S. philosophy: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable. “We are very fortunate to have Donald as our chef since he appreciates our locavore philosophy and our passion for music,” Karen Ensor said. The menu will change seasonally with a focus on sustainable, organic and locally acquired meats and produce wherever possible.

Gypsy Sally’s opening night on Sept. 12 will feature performance by singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, who is also the host of the Americana Honors and Awards Show and nominated, along with Buddy Miller, for Album of the Year. Concert music lovers can look forward to concerts by the Grandmothers of Invention, the Gibson Brothers, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison and other nationally acclaimed acts.