Welcome to Racked DC where we dig deep into the retail world and let you know about the latest happenings in fashion and shopping. Know of something interesting coming to town? Send the news into our tipline.
GREAT FALLS—Robert Mikail, the owner of jewelry store Vima Jewelry in posh Great Falls, has been busted for swapping out valuable diamonds for diamonds that were a bit (ahem) less in quality worth a total of $50,000. For these 9 counts of grand larceny that Mikail has been sentenced for, he'll be in the slammer for 3 years. [WBJ]
U STREET—Aura Spa, the brainchild of entrepreneur David von Starch, is opening up a new location in the VIDA gym flagship location on U Street. David is "excited to bring a luxury day spa that provides comforting services to the U Street corridor". And so are other U Street, AdMo, CoHi denizens. [Curbed Inbox]
SALES—Just in case Santa dropped some cash on his way up the chimney there are over one hundred post-Christmas sales to choose from over on our National site. [RackedNational]
GEORGETOWN—Pizzeria Uno on M Street is out. Billy Reid, the luxe cazh retailer, will be opening its first DMV location in the former pizzeria space. [PoP]
RESTON—Whether it's because e-books are eating up hard-copy sales or something else is amiss at Barnes & Noble, the book retailer has decided to leave Reston a year after Books-a-Million left. But at least Restonians will be able to purchase baller storage options since the Container Store will be opening in the former B&N space in the near future. [WBJ]
ALEXANDRIA—Howard Hughes Corp is prepping its plans to remake Landmark Mall into something more desirable for area shoppers to visit. The mall may be flipped inside out into more of a town center style development, but "mall and city officials say neither side is far enough along to disclose what those plans will entail". [WBJ]