Washington’s latest entrant in the deal site craze, Gilt City DC, launches with a fashion forward crowd and adult slushies
By Michael M. Clements
Gilt City president Nathan Richardson, Winston Lord, Juleanna Glover, Lindsay Czarniak, Craig Melvin and Gilt City DC curator Marissa Schneider
Can the District handle another group buying / deal site? It seems as if one launches every week; it’s hard to keep up: Groupon, LivingSocial, BuyWithMeDC, Deals for Deeds, Home Run and Yelp deals and the list goes on and on. One wonders if any business will sell anything at retail in the metro area again? This week, it was Gilt City DC‘s turn. Gilt City DC is no Groupon, their high-end deal offers portend a likely DC-based digital land rush into “exclusive,” “luxury,” and “privileged” offers. Indeed, Rue La La, not to be out done, also launched this week, but has yet to hold their own splashy opening party. In an interesting twist, Rue La La is being headed up by Niche Media‘s former Capitol File Editor in Chief Susan Nixon, while Niche Media’s founder Jason Binn is advising Gilt City so they can “meet the right people around the world,” says Gilt City president Nathan Richardson in this NBC Washington niteside video. Gilt City DC recently held a private reception at RJ Cooper‘s new restaurant, Rogue 24. It’s a smart play in a crowded couponing DC ecosystem which lacks consistent high-end offerings. Known for its online shopping site, Gilt Groupe has become a leader amongst the equally multiplying field of flash deal / sample sale sites. Will their brand of fashionista chic savings catch on in DC? To be determined. One thing is for certain, all the right people were at the opening event at Halycon House thanks to BrandLink DC. Heavy on media influencers, the buzz event was notable for its amazing location, views of the key bridge, great violin playing DJ, and adult slushies.
Enjoying the perfect summer setting were Maggie O’Neil, Lindsay Czarniak, Peter Corbett, Svetlana Legetic, Anna Chaley Croll, Kate Marie Grinwald, Eun Yang, Juleanna Glover, Winston Bao Lord, Ashley Taylor, Katherine Kennedy, Grant Allen, Nikki Schwab, Kiki Ryan, Mark Ein, Tommy McFly, Jayne Sandman-Dufour, Barbara Martin, and a number of other DC scribes, media mavens, and connectors.
The very fashionable and connected crowd in the gardens of Halycon House
Ashley Taylor, Coventry Burke Berg and MaryBeth Coleman
Brett and Jen Haber, Mark Ein and Mori Taheriour
