Leave the office a little early today and hit up the Georgetown French Market, running Friday and Saturday this weekend. The 12th annual open-air fest, hosted by the Georgetown Business Improvement District, is bringing together over 40 local boutiques, many of which are offering some big discounts on their goods.
If the concept of wandering Georgetown’s historic streets with the scents of crepes wafting through the air isn’t enough to entice you, here are a few addition incentives to check out the market this weekend.
1. Free parking. Until that Georgetown WMATA tunnel is a reality, driving to Georgetown is one of the easiest ways to get there–until you have to park. But on Saturday, drivers can park for free at the Hardy Middle School on Wisconsin Avenue.
2. French food. Do some carb-loading at Patisserie Poupon, where they will be an abundance of croissants, macarons, and tarts, with Illy coffee to wash it all down, or stick with the ever-delicious crepe at Cafe Bonaparte’s crepe stand. For the road, grab a $4 package of Sorelle Nurzia biscotti from Via Umbria.
3. Live jazz music. Enjoy some outdoor entertainment from Lassaiz Foure, a Washington-based 30s and 40s-style jazz quartet or the Swing Guitars DC, a gypsy jazz guitar duo, among other bands that’ll create the French market atmosphere, along with mimes, caricature artists, and face painters.
4. Discounted artwork. From a $400 Italian ceramic vase that’ll sell for $35 from Via Umbria to 30 percent off artwork on paper from Maurine Littleton Gallery, the market will transport you to the banks of the Seine, where there’s inexpensive artwork for sale every block.
5. Crazy clothing sales. A $365 Kiki Lynn gingham shirtdress will be sold for $182.50, and the whole Kiki Lynn collection is 50 percent off. Urban Chic is offering up to 80 percent off their sale items, and Redz Trading’s consigned goods are discounted by 20 percent.
6. Home goods galore. Check out David Bell Antiques, Marston Luce, Matt Camron Rugs, and Corner & Co. for discounted antiques and furniture for your home. Additionally, local stationers Winifred Paper and The Dandelion Patch have their high-end paper goods for sale.
7. Awesome accessories. From SwitchWood’s unique wooden bow ties to stylish jewelry and scarves from Urban Chic, Britt Ryan, and The Pheonix, there’s plenty of spring-wardrobe add-ons that smart shoppers can pick up for cheap.
The market runs April 24 through 25 from 10 AM to 5 PM both days from P Street to Reservoir Road on Wisconsin Avenue.
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.
