Rizik’s Boutique (formerly called Rizik Brothers) was founded by Joseph and A.M. RIZIK in 1908. These two brothers came to Washington, DC from Lebanon, along with their wives, with only a little banking experience and an interest in merchandising. They began importing lace from France and Italy and selling it to Washington dressmakers. Once they were able to save enough they opened a three-story women’s dress shop on F Street NW. Soon thereafter they began to cash in on ready-to-wear clothing beginning to come out of New York.