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B&N Is Returning to Georgetown. What Other Spots Should Come Back?

A movie theater, a record store, and more.

Photograph of Biograph courtesy of Peabody Room, Georgetown Public Library.

After shuttering in 2011, the Georgetown Barnes & Noble outpost is now set to return. Which other long-gone spots would we love to see back in the neighborhood?

 

The Biograph

This beloved art-house movie theater (above) operated in a former car dealership until 1996, when it became a CVS.

 

Booked Up

A DC institution for two decades, it was owned by the novelist Larry McMurtry.

 

Britches of Georgetowne

The “e” at the end meant this preppy shop had to be fancy.

 

The Cellar Door

Maybe you own live recordings by the likes of Miles Davis and Neil Young that were captured at this legendary music venue?

 

Classic Clothing

We yearn for the return of the M Street boutique where a generation of Washingtonians bought vintage overcoats and Doc Martens.

 

Olsson’s Books & Records

Basically a smaller, better, locally owned B&N.

 

Video Vault

The cult-movie outlet seems least likely of this bunch to return, barring a surprising DVD comeback. Maybe it could launch a streaming service?



This article appears in the February 2024 issue of Washingtonian.