RSS FeedDC Sales Tax Holiday August 4-12
The District is offering a sales tax holiday starting at 12:01 am this Saturday, August 4, and ending midnight Sunday, August 12. During this time, the usual 5.75% sales tax will be suspended for clothes, shoes, accessories, and school supplies, as long as each item costs $100 or less.
So get out there this weekend and shop!
The next D.C. sales tax holiday will take place November 23-December 2.
Ruby Tuesday Likes Mustard More Than Ketchup (712 7th St NW)
Ruby Tuesday‘s renovations look like they are almost complete. Yesterday, the exterior got a new coat of paint. The result? Complete mustard makeover. The previous color scheme had equal parts of red and mustard.
United Colors of Benneton Announces Store Closing, AT&T/Cingular Store To Replace It (785 7th St NW)
UPDATE: Brian lets us know that the closing date is Sept 15. Thanks!
Thanks to Nick for writing in to tell us that the United Colors of Benneton at the top of the Gallery Place metro [7th & H] entrance is closing. We snapped a pic of the “store closing sale” sign.
A giant AT&T/Cingular store is expected to replace the clothing store. Apparently, several parties were interested in obtaining the space, but we’re guessing that AT&T/Cingular was willing to pay top dollar to gain a presence on the same block as the Verizon-branded arena (Verizon Center).
The good news is that there is a huge sale going on. The bad news is that we’re losing a clothing store. But, we’re gaining a Zara store in a few months. Is it a wash?
When Mom Comes to Town
All of us know the stress of trying to come up with fun things to do for repeat visitors. While museums and monuments are fantastic, when your visitor has been to see you several times before you want to come up with something new to do in your neighborhood. Of course there are tons of options in PQ, so this blogger is taking a look at one fun idea for when your mom comes to town.
Several years ago though, I was introduced to the somewhat pompus event that is afternoon tea. If you’re rolling your eyes right now you should know, this blogger was just like you. What used to sound so stuffy and ridiculous, is now something to look forward to when mom plans a trip to DC.
But you’re scoffing under your breath “Scones with lemon curd and clotted cream? Ha!” What if that was translated to: “Cookies with pudding covered in whipped cream?” Sure purists will say clotted cream isn’t whipped cream and lemon curd isn’t pudding. Fine, you eat them & tell me what you think they taste like.
Besides the scones (and of course the tea) you get a collection of small sandwiches and desserts. All of this in a fancy hotel setting, often with live music (ok it’s a harpist, but still) and hushed conversations. Your mom will be impressed, yet wont be able to pester you with questions like “when are you going to have kids?”
Mrs Columbo & I have hit many of the teas in DC hotels. Our favorite by far is at the Willard, where not only is the setting fun and the price moderate (moderate high?) but they also give you free food refills on any items you like. Free refills may not sound like such a big deal when paying roughly $40 a person, however compared to the comparably priced Ritz in Downtown it’s a steal. That Ritz is our least favorite tea so far; a bland setting, small tea selection, and you pay for any additional items you want.
A good first time tea is the afternoon tea at the Mayflower. One of the cheaper options, it features a very nice tea room and quality teas and food. So go impress your mom the next time she’s in town… and when are you going to have kids? You’re not getting any younger you know.