Last week, StarNut Gourmet opened its new location at The Palladium luxury condominium complex in downtown McLean. The European chocolatier and patisserie opened its doors to the public on Saturday, Nov. 26, but last Thursday, Dranesville District Supervisor Joan DuBois and other prominent community members attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially mark the occasion.
"This particular project has been in the planning phase for some time," said Jan Zachariasse, President and CEO of Waterford Development. "The initial response of the people who have participated ... has been overwhelming, and the time has come to open the second phase of The Palladium, which is retail."
Because StarNut now features a selection of international newspapers for its customers, Zachariasse presented owners Joseph and Denise Shehedah with a special newspaper rack.
"We'll have to get a Dutch newspaper now," joked Joseph Shehedah.
Andrew Gutowski, Vice President of Development for Waterford, said that the Palladium project had been a great deal of work.
"But it was well worth it," said Gutowski.
According to Denise Shehedah, business has been thriving since the store opened last week.
"We were so busy on the weekend — it's been great," she said. "The development is so nice, and it's something new in McLean and I think everybody is curious. ... I kept saying that it felt like a party in here all weekend."