Monday, December 16, 2024
Up and down Wisconsin Ave. NW from Prospect Street to Reservoir Rd. on Saturday Dec. 14, shoppers toting cookie boxes with handles could be seen consulting maps and eagerly entering a dozen or so select and diverse small businesses. It was the second weekend day of Georgetown Main Street’s annual Cookie Tour. Those who signed up got a free cookie or treat and discounts at the dozen small businesses on their lists.
“We’ve been so busy!” said Annabelle Arcay de Berti, owner of Arcay Chocolates (along with her husband Dario) at 3211 O St. NW as she eyed the line of people outside their shop waiting for sample cup of her hot cocoa, made with dark chocolate and prepared extra thick and creamy. “We’ve sold so many boxes of our chocolates and I have dozens of orders,” she added.
Courtesy Maman.
“Whoever thought of this idea for a cookie tour should be praised. It’s been wonderful and fun,” said Nick Wasylczuk, who with his wife Carolyn, own Just Paper & Tea on 3232 P St.NW. “It’s fun for everyone.”
Cookie tour participants could be seen munching on cinnamon cookies, dark chocolate peppermint clumps, orange spice delicacies, candy cane macaroons and madeleines. Participating bakeries that provided cookies to the stores included Call Your Mother, Tatte, Patisserie Poupon, Olivia Macaroon, Baker’s Daughter, Fresh Baguettes, Dog Tag Bakery, Chaia, Levain Bakery, Maman, Nicole’s Kitchen and the Rosewood Hotel’s CUT by Wolfgang Puck, who made a gingerbread sandwich cookie with a chocolate ganache filling.
With all the friendly crowds and shop owners, it was almost impossible to get to all the shops between the allotted time of 1 to 5 p.m. Bacchus Wine Cellar at 1635 Wisconsin Ave. had run out of cookies by 4:30 p.m., but adult patrons enjoyed wine samples as well. Other stores participating included Hunter & Huntress, Pillar and Post, The Phoenix, Homecourt, Take Care, Georgetown Garden Shop, Clare V and Shop Made in DC.
“It’s a fun event,” the indefatigable Georgetown Main Street Executive Director Rachel Shank said with a laugh as she handed out boxes and explained the maps from the starting point at Addison/Ripley Fine Art Studio.
Courtesy Levain Bakery.