Monday, March 24, 2025
In: Citibank, Next to Martin’s
The Georgetown Citibank Center at 1258 Wisconsin Ave. NW is set for a soft opening on March 26, followed by a grand opening in May.
The New York-based bank now occupies the Greek Revival building, built in 1851, once known as Forrest Hall, where community gatherings occurred for decades. (Mark Twain gave lectures there.) Formerly housing a Gap store, the historic building sits next to Martin’s Tavern.
Citi’s flagship, state-of-the-art two-story branch is totally 21st century, however. The company offers: “The 6,427 square-foot space offers Citi’s full scope of personal banking, small business, mortgage, and wealth services and features a flexible, open floor plan designed to support a dynamic client-led experience. Citigold clients will enjoy exclusive access to a stunning lounge, designed to transition seamlessly into an engaging space for events and community engagement.”
My Little Chamomile at 3210 Cherry Hill Lane NW. Courtesy My Little Chamomile.
In: My Little Chamomile … in the Alley
Green Almond Pantry at 3210 Grace St. NW has a sister restaurant — My Little Chamomile — part of the Grace Street Collective. Last week, chef-owner Çagla Önal opened the 42-seat restaurant in the same tucked away alleyway as the restaurant Reverie.
At 3210 Cherry Hill Lane NW, My Little Chamomile — a nickname for Önal by her mother — features homestyle Turkish-Mediterranean cooking for dinner. Originally from Istanbul, Önal is pleased to offer sit-down dinners, 5 to 10 p.m.
Moving: J. Crew Goes Down M
A little bit of musical chairs going on here with some retail.
The J. Crew clothing store at 3222 M St. NW, part of the Georgetown Park shopping complex, has closed. There are plans for it to move to 3077 M St. NW — in the old Brooks Brothers and Showfields space, as first reported by PoPville.
Lululemon was temporarily at 31st and M during the remodeling phase of its first location at 3265 M St. NW, across from the former J. Crew space, which is reportedly being readied for the Japanese casual wear retailer Uniqlo.
Coming: Alfie’s in Hamilton Court
Alfie’s, the short-lived Thai pop-up restaurant from the chef behind Lucky Buns, will be resurrected in Georgetown this summer, according to the Washington Business Journal, which reported last week: “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.”
McCoy and Ahn promise a new and improved Alfie’s when the roughly 1,000-square-foot restaurant opens. “What we have now is the benefit of almost eight years of innovation since the original menus,” McCoy told WBJ.
Coming: Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret is coming to 1220 Wisconsin Ave. NW, according to plans filed with the Old Georgetown Board, Topher Mathews reports. The building formerly held a Massimo Dutti shop that closed in 2019.