Field Trip: Tari

1525 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
202-621-7500


Tari snuck into Georgetown this fall, and if you ask owner Sara Mokhtari, the store isn't quite ready for its grand opening. Oh sure, you can come in and shop, but the speakers haven't been installed, and there are holes in the ceiling where vents will go. When she dashes into the back of the shop to look for something, it sounds like an avalanche of boxes. But it's just an organization system coming to fruition. Slowly.


And then there's the matter of a sign. Tari has a beautiful, multi-paned window at the front of the store. Sara's mother likes the old-fashioned window, and I agree with her. But due to Georgetown's strict business regulations, a window sign seems to be the only option. And you can't spell T A R I out across four window panes unless you want it to look like S A L E. 


But, it will come together.


For now, the clothing speaks for itself in this consignment boutique. During my visit in late December, a regular customer walked out with a Diane von Furstenberg dress—tags still on—and a pair of YSL heels for about $400. Out of my personal budget? Just a bit. But a veritable steal for the seasoned shopper.


Mokhtari has a background in interior design that comes out in full force as she darts around the shop, arranging items and setting them just-so. The regulars bring in their items to consign, but Tari also has connections in the New York and LA fashion scenes that provide much of the tags-on designs.


Menswear is a focus at Tari, with affordable prices on men's suits, tuxes, and casual clothing. Mokhtari is working on plans to expand the shop onto the building's second floor, which means.....entire men's section. If I were a dude, I'd find this very exciting. (Still, as a lady, it's pretty cool.)

The photos can say more than I can, so check 'em out after the jump.

Rock it Again showing signs of life on U St.

They weren't open when I passed by on Friday night around 7, but it looks pretty convincing that Rock it Again is open for business for realsies.

Go go go go go!

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Breaking news: Eastern Market's Rock It Again coming to U Street

Vintage clothiers Clint and Aviyah of Rock It Again are coming to U Street with a planned soft opening this weekend. They're taking over Nana's spot at 1528 U St. above Millenium. Aviyah explained that Clint has been focusing on men's vintage for four years at Eastern Market, adding some women's vintage last year when Aviyah joined him.

The couple focuses on looks from the 50s through the 70s in America and in Europe, with some older pieces in the mix from time to time. Timeless pieces will be featured, ranging from high-end fashion to vintage you could wear every day without looking costumey. Men, you must visit this space when it opens. You have not been forgotten.

If you're in the area this weekend, stop by to see if Rock it Again has opened its doors, and welcome Clint and Aviyah to the neighborhood.

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More vintage coming to U Street

U Street is about to become a sure-fire hub for vintage shopping. Next up in Nana's storefront at 1528 U is a vintage shop that used to be housed under a tent at Eastern Market each weekend. Hoping to get in touch with the new tenant soon to learn more about their growing business.

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K Street Kate offers comprehensive guide to secondhand Georgetown

During the cold, windy winter months, it's a shopper's dream to have several of their favorite stores in one neighborhood. Such is the case in Georgetown, and K Street Kate delivers a comprehensive guide to the shops on M St. and Wisconsin Ave. She reviews a few places that I haven't visited yet, so it's definitely worth a read.

I beg to differ with Kate's statement that Annie Creamcheese is the only place in D.C. to find vintage formalwear. Meeps, Junction, and Mercedes Bien all feature formal dresses, and men in search of vintage attire are sure to be pleased at these locations. And while Annie has racks of gowns, quantity never trumps quality.

Kate also mentioned Annie Creamcheese for having the best website. That site is a saccharine train wreck. 

The most interesting tidbit I picked out of Kate's post is mention of Tari, newly opened on Wisconsin Avenue. I noticed the store's website points to the old (but redesigned for Tari) site of Posh Consignment. So I grabbed the phone and reached owner Sarah, who told me that she is friends with Julie, who owned Posh. Posh closed with rumors that it may reappear on H Street. Sarah took over Julie's website while waiting for one to be specially designed for Tari—hence my confusion. Another interesting point: Tari has opened at the address previously home to Julep, a famed shop that closed in the spring.

Sarah explained that a lot of the vintage and consignment-oriented people in the city are linked together. She wasn't kidding.

I'll be popping by Tari soon to learn more about this new endeavor.

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Breaking fashion news: Mysterious Dr. K has merch in new U St. shop

It seems like just yesterday I was casually mentioning this new vintage shop coming to U St. Tonight while taking sewing class at Ginger Root Design (more on that later), I asked Kristen and Erin if they knew anything about Dr. K's Vintage Shop. They didn't know anything more than I did, which we all thought was strange as the block is pretty friendly and word tends to get out about these things.

When I arrived at GRD, I noticed lights on in Dr. K's. When I left GRD two hours later, I walked up the steps and peered in the window: MERCH.  Straight up merch, starting to line the walls.  Boots, people.  And some stuff that looks like tweaked vintage ladies' stuff.

Merch means one thing: they'll be open within a week.

There was someone working in the shop, up on a ladder obviously trying to get things in order.  I would have knocked on the door and said hello, but two things stopped me:

1. No entrepreneur wants to answer their door at 9 p.m. when they're trying to get their store up and running.
2. The 96 bus was idling at a stop light across the street and I was determined to get on it.  Lucky for me, the bus driver gave me a break, but not until after she shook her head in disappointment as I knocked on the door and then told me, as she opened it, "You're making that face because you know what you did!" Yes, I knew what I did. But I wanted to take the bus home, and it was just sitting there at the curb. Thank you, bus driver lady, for not making me feel any more guilty than you did.

Anyway.  Get excited for some new vintagey goodness, my fashionable friends.

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New vintage shop coming to U Street?

What is this?! I was waiting for the 96 bus yesterday after a fitting at Ginger Root Design and noticed this sign in the window at 1534 U Street. Apparently Dr. K is coming and bringing some vintage along. Need! Details!  I'm looking at you, Borderstan and U Street Girl.  Got any details on this new business?

Dr. K will battle with Ginger Root Design (aka Ginger Roots), Junction, and Legendary Beast all on the same block. Is the vintage scene getting too crowded, or is this the kind of thriving business competition we want to see on this still-developing street?

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