Dust off your berets and striped tees because
ce weekend it’s time for a stroll through the
Georgetown French Market. Okay, we
may be kidding about the berets, but we aren’t kidding about
the fantastic shopping to be had tomorrow and Saturday at this
annual open-air spring festival. From 10 to 5 both days you can
sip a café au lait, nibble a
macaron, and snag awesome deals at more than 30 Georgetown shops, galleries, and cafes, including
Washingtonian favorites such as Darrell Dean Antiques, Duo, and A Mano. Items for up to 75 percent off can be found on the sidewalks of
upper Georgetown, near Book Hill.
We caught up with several of our favorite local designers and bloggers to see which stores were on their “can’t miss” list
and what items they recommended shopping for at the market. Read on for their advice.
Andrew Law of Andrew Law Interior Design
“The French Market is the perfect opportunity to
peruse the offerings of Georgetown’s best arts, antiques, clothing, and
accessories
shops and nab a bargain, too.
Susan Calloway Fine Arts is sure to have a great selection of original small paintings as well as an assortment of custom frames to pick through.
Catherine Roberts always fills the sidewalks with French baskets, raw-linen textiles, and interesting objects. Check out the secret garden
behind the store to find an assortment of pots and beautifully clipped topiaries, all for sale.
A Mano‘s tents are a lively spot filled with pottery, candles, and any stylish accessory that might not have sold this year–but
get there early.”
For sweet treats: “Pick up a pastry and a cappuccino at
Patisserie Poupon and enjoy the people-watching.”
When to go: “Friday is usually the best day to take in all of the vendors’ offerings, but I’ve found that all the vendors tend to bring
out more merchandise as items sell.”
Jennifer Lore of Dear Heart DC
“The best part of the French Market is the spotlight it directs at the smaller independent shops and cafes in Georgetown,
which are often overshadowed by the major chains on M Street.
Darrell Dean is offering a selection of antiques and curated items for under $500, so that could be a great place to shop for investment
pieces for less. I also like dropping by
Susan Calloway Fine Arts during the market for affordable paintings. A very cute new boutique called
Duo is participating, and is definitely worth checking out.”
Best way to get in the French spirit: “A crepe from
Cafe Bonaparte or a free
macaron at
Macaron Bee.”
Added bonus: “Don’t forget that the Georgetown House Tour is going on at the same time–make a day
of it!”
Stefan Hurray of Architect Design
“The market is such a great community event that
brings people of all ages out into the streets to interact and have fun!
Music, good food, and shopping–what more could you want? It’s a
great time to stock up on one-of-a-kind decorative items that
are being cleared out at low prices. Keep an open mind and look
for future gifts as well, as many items will be out of season.”
Hit up: ”
Comer & Co. and a lot of the great antiques shops along that block. They always have great gift ideas and inspiration for the home.”
If you’re feeling hungry: “You can’t beat the crepes at
Cafe Bonaparte, and the wine selection is decent.”
