It’s not enough any longer to be a clothing retailer who sells clothes. In the modern economy, in which many shoppers are deal-driven and often happier buying something with a few clicks on Amazon than making the effort to enter an actual store, it takes more than just some nice sweaters to attract customers.
So when Club Monaco made the move to return to Georgetown four years after they closed their M Street store, they opted for a space that had a bar. On December 4, Club Monaco officially opened in their new M Street space, which had been the home of Rhino Bar for 18 years prior. The store will host both men’s and women’s apparel, along with a functioning bar on the second floor.
The bar will serve as a checkout space during regular business hours, but it’s stocked with alcohol–including local brands such as Green Hat Gin and One Eight Distilling–which was curated by Derek Brown for special events that will take place in the retail space. The bar fits right in with Club Monaco’s efforts to turn their stores into “bespoke” spaces that reflect the lifestyle of the neighborhood.
“All Club Monaco stores are artisanal and incorporate a lifestyle element,” said John Mehas, Club Monaco chief executive officer, in a press release. “We opened our first lifestyle concept in New York City in 2013 with coffee, custom flower arrangements and a bookstore. Club Monaco’s return to Georgetown gives us the opportunity to continue enhancing this unique narrative, creating an experience that promotes a lifestyle of culture.”
The first floor plays host to the women’s store, which is decorated with custom-made cherry blossom wall decor–a clear nod to DC–while the second floor men’s store has a black marble fireplace and exposed brick walls.
Take a peak inside the new space below, then go visit at 3295 M St., NW.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
