BUSINESS

Liana Vassila, owner of the new Mini Me boutique on P Street NW. Georgetowner photo.

INS & OUTS

BY ROBERT DEVANEY

IN: MINI ME BOUTIQUE

When you have a three-year-old daughter and have worked at places ranging from Benetton to Ella-Rue, what’s a young mother to do? Why, open a charming shop called Mini Me and carry mother-anddaughter outfits along with cool European threads, surprising novelties and vintage toys, of course. Owner Liana Vassila took her pandemic time to put together her little boutique at 3236 P St. NW, located in part of a space that once housed the legendary Savile Book Shop. It’s a breath of fresh air amid rote retail; put it on your shopping list.

IN: IN: DONAHUE LOUNGE

The former Smith Point space at 1338 Wisconsin Ave. NW has been transformed into a nightlife lounge for grown-ups. The old Bo Blair place, known for its midnight action, even attracted two first daughters in its day. Today, the restaurant, named Donahue for a longtime Georgetown family and owners of commercial property, shouts glamour, champagne, fancy cocktails and culinary sophistication with Luca Giovannini and Cesar Varela, both formerly with Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants, and restaurateur Noe Landini. It will open its chic bar in the back when pandemic restrictions loosen. Meanwhile, enjoy drinks and food on the rooftop deck.

IN: DOWN DOG YOGA REOPENS ON 34TH

Talk about rediscovering your flow. Down Dog Yoga — which practices heated vinyasa power yoga — reopened its yoga studio at 34th and Prospect Streets on April 2, after being closed for a year due to the pandemic. Patty Ivey, with husband Scott, opened Down Dog Yoga in 2003 at 1046 Potomac St. NW, next to the C&O Canal. Its Georgetown spot moved to the retail building — 1229 34th St. NW — that once housed Govinda Gallery and Cabellos Hair Salon in 2016. Its other location is in Herndon, Virginia. Down Dog Yoga CEO Daniel Brindley had this to say, in part, about reopening: “We look forward to getting back to our roots of creating a vibrant and vital yoga offering for all Georgetown residents and the city at large. And, stay tuned, as Patty will soon make her way to D.C. and lead a master class or two at the studios.”

IN: EUROPEAN MARKET ON MACARTHUR

European Market, Kitchen & Café has opened at 4418 MacArthur Boulevard NW in the space which housed Kristina’s Cafe. Owner Daniel Rossi, who worked at Cafe Milano, is serving homemade Neopolitan pizza to start, with more items added over the next week — like grilled Mediterranean branzino with a baguette. There are wines, along with Italian grocery items. Don’t forget the excellent Illy coffee.

IN: SPICEZ

Spice, spice, baby! If you’re in need of spices, you’ll want to check out Spicez at 1610 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Georgetown’s new one-stop shop for spices, herbs and other Indian and Eastern food items. You’ll find your traditional black pepper and spiced chai, plus a section with sweets like a sweet carrot pudding and soft fried dumplings in sugar syrup. To-go Indian and Pakistani meals are also available.

IN: DULY NOTED

A stationery and gift shop opened on March 20 at 1355 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The first 50 customers who showed up for Duly Noted’s socially distanced grand opening event got a goodie bag full of stationery and fun paper goods. Duly Noted will be open every day of the week.

IN: BROW BAR ON M

The microblading clinic and brow bar moved to 2918 M St. NW, a few doors from its original spot around the corner. All services are by appointment only, and all appointments must be booked online no less than 24 hours in advance. Services include microblading of brows, powder brow and shading, permanent eyeliner, microneedleing, medical tattooing and scar camouflage.

Read more on georgetowner.com. Send in new and closing stores or questions to editorial@georgetowner.com

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