Last Saturday at about 2 p.m., the streets of Georgetown were an odd mix of determined shoppers and visitors, smiling retailers and anxious owners.

The rain was pelting down and the sky was a funny color. But the wind was relatively calm and some folks were still searching for batteries, water and flashlights. Some were even shopping for fall fashions and dorm supplies. However, there were a few signs that this was not a regular, rainy Saturday.

On M Street, boarded up along the old Camper store and old Tommy Hilfiger store, Lululemon was nailed tight with plywood and a sign that announced that they would not be open on Saturday. Perhaps the Canadian owners were not used to a bit of a hurricane, eh?

Likewise, Bebe was being boarded up and circled with sandbags. It remained secured even as Sunday became a beautiful day.

Perhaps the most confused store was Apple. Its large glass storefront was encased in plywood, but the workers left a "secret door". All day Saturday, shoppers and customers with appointments at the Genuis Bar, yanked open the plywood door and entered the rareified world of Apple. The store hummed with iPhone 4 buyers and parents and students looking for back-to-school computing deals.

Paolo's side patio was empty, but by Sunday was full for brunch. And Vineyard Vines gave a tip of their hats to the 80s with "Come on Irene...! Finally, there was no line at Georgetown Cupcakes!

By Sunday at 5 p.m., it looked like nothing had happened except for the plywood fronts of a few stores that now looked silly.