CLICK HERE for up-to-date listings of which Adams Morgan businesses are open during this crisis and what their delivery/carryout/gift card options are.

Home Sweet Home

May 5, 2020

#InThisTogether

Updates from Adams Morgan

For the latest from the DC government, refer to: https://coronavirus.dc.gov

Resources for small businesses: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-business

Click Here to see previous updates in our newsletter archive


May Board Meeting

The next Adams Morgan Partnership BID (AMPBID) Board of Directors' meeting will be Tuesday, May 12 from 5-7:00 PM.

The meeting will take place online via Zoom. If you would like to attend the online meeting, you must RSVP. People who have RSVP'd will be emailed the meeting login details prior to the meeting.

Click here to RSVP .

As always, the public is invited to participate in the meeting, but non-board members will be muted while board business is being discussed. There will be opportunity for questions and other input.


Overview of DC Council Legislation introduced today

Reminder : The temporary legislation which allows ABC on-premises licensed establishments such as taverns and restaurants to sell alcohol for pick up and delivery does not expire until November 2020.


The DC Council passed emergency Covid-19 legislation that:

• Requires landlords to accept rent payment plans and delay foreclosure actions

• Dropped provisions that would force insurers to pay business interruption claims. Cited concerns including:

  • Legal and constitutional concerns
  • Worried it would only be symbolic
  • Drive protracted and lengthy court battles
  • Could increase premiums

• The latest relief bill includes measures to assist residents struggling to pay the bills and restaurants struggling to survive.

• The council capped commission fees that food delivery services charge restaurants to 15 percent of the meal cost during the period for which the Mayor has declared a public health emergency, which currently expires on May 15th and will likely be extended until all restrictions of operation are lifted:

  • In addition, consumers must be informed, before the transaction is finalized, of all fees, commission and payments imposed by the delivery company on the restaurant.
  • Any person who violates the section is subject to a fine between $250-$1,000 for each violation.

Work Share Program

Understanding the complexities businesses are experiencing as you consider rehiring employees currently on UI, the Work Share Program could offer some assistance as you begin your specific onboarding process.

Program Overview:

  • Provides that once the temporary legislation expires, the group of employers participating in the Work Share Program will no longer be prohibited from participating in work-share.
  • Shared Work is a voluntary program that provides an alternative to layoffs for employers confronted with a temporary decline in business.
  • The principle behind Shared Work is: instead of laying off a percentage of their workforce to cut costs, an employer could reduce employees’ hours by the same percentage and keep the entire workforce on the job.
  • Employees participating in the Work Share Program would still be eligible for UI and the additional $600 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.

Utility repayment plans

  • It was expected that the Council would approve the proposal requiring utility providers to allow repayment plans for unpaid amounts, it was pulled from the bill.

ABC privileges for second premises during the health emergency

  • An on-premises retailer’s licensee that is registered with the Board may also register with the Board to sell beer, wine, or spirits in closed containers accompanied by one or more prepared food items for off-premises consumption from one additional location other than the licensed premises. This means if you have demand for additional carryout and delivery, you may service the demand from another location in addition to your current licensed premises.

No late fees for two year reports or trade name registrations

  • No late fee shall be assessed on two year reports for corporations and LLCs nor for trade name renewals provided they are filed by June 1, 2020.

Washington Post Article about the session.

WBJ article focused on the insurance legislation .


Important Notes

For businesses utilizing food delivery services: We are hearing reports around the city about cars getting stolen if they are left running while the drivers go in to pick up/drop off food. Please encourage the drivers coming to your businesses to not leave their cars running and unattended.

Sales Tax: At this time, OCFO has not created an exception for sales tax for any months beyond March. Guidance on this can be found i n this document .


SPANX is donating $5 million to help female business owners continue to operate. There will be 1,000 gifts of $5,000 each. To apply, visit their website here .

This is the second round -- if you previously applied for this and weren't accepted, you should apply again.



Free Radio Promo for Local Restaurants

WHUR Radio has created an "Open for Business" free on-air promo that will highlight local restaurant businesses. Operators can talk about what they are offering during COVID-19, including take-out and delivery, and share a link to order. Alternatively, they can feature their chef, a special menu, etc. The platform will be Instagram Live - reaching WHUR's 14,000 followers, and the recording will also be linked to their Facebook followers (85,000), with information listed on whur.com . Each week, the free promo will include four restaurants. If you are interested in participating, contact: Robert Brooks, Digital Solutions Specialist, at 202.806.3542 or rbrooks@whur.com .


Notes from Think Local First Town Hall on 5-5-20

Stacey Mitchell from ILSR ( Institute for Local Self-Reliance ) spoke first. ILSR was started in 1974 by Neil Seldman and was located where the Amsterdam Falafelshop is now. Neil and his family still own the building. Neil was on the AMPBID board for a few years.

Policy decisions made during crises will impact us for decades. Setting the stage now for future prosperity is what they are hoping to do.

Two Federal legislative actions they are following:

  1. House of Representatives bill – Paycheck Guarantee Act - will provide direct cash assistance through the IRS to the scale of the business.
  2. Senate bill - Paycheck Security Act – direct grant for 6 months to cover salaries and wages – additional grant up to 20% of preCOVID 19 revenue – through IRS and payroll companies like ADP.

A good summary of small business relief – Federal and state/local levels across the country can be found here While many of these have been exhausted already, there might be some potential models for new programs.


This Friday: Take 30 with Attorney General Karl A. Racine

This Friday (May 8th) Attorney General Karl A. Racine and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is launching a new 30-minute video chat series with national & local experts discussing topics that matter most to YOU during the COVID-19 crisis. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this Friday on Take 30, we’ll discuss coping with stress during COVID-19 (joined by expert Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation). To participate, please register via email at OAGCommunity@dc.gov , and check out Bob’s recent interview on Good Morning America to learn more about his team’s work.


This event is FREE and open to all. You can invite members of your community by sharing the event details on social media using the attached graphics (and hashtags: #covid19dc #dcagracine #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #RealTalk).


Friday, May 8th at 12 PM ET

Special Guest: Bob Roth ( @meditationbob ), CEO of the David Lynch Foundation


RSVP via email at OAGCommunity@dc.gov to receive the Webex event link and additional instructions.


Small Business: The Heart of DC - Let's Prepare & Pivot for Recovery

CNHED is partnering with local small business support organizations and District agencies to coordinate in May a month-long virtual experience to support small businesses recover during the Covid-19 shutdown.

This resource provides information about upcoming virtual workshops, training opportunities and entrepreneurship programs available for start-ups, new and existing small businesses in the District. Check out this month's DC Small Business Help Workshop Calendar and get connected to the resources and assistance to help you navigate and pivot during COVID-19 crisis. Please let us know what resources, assistance and information you need to support your business.

Click Here to view the calendar.


Is your business offering Mother's Day specials?

**Today is the last day to submit your specials!**

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 10 this year and it looks like we're still going to be under lockdown, so this is your opportunity to get the word out about specials you may be planning.

Please let us know if your business is planning on something special for the moms out there -- perhaps a takeout or delivery brunch, a Mother's Day sale, or maybe a special digital gift card to minimize contact with other people -- and we'll help promote it over the next two weeks.

Please send your Mother's Day specials to Brian Barrie .

Don't forget to complete the 2020 Census

It’s not too late to complete the 2020 Census (many people think April 1st was the deadline). Accurate census data is important for post-COVID 19 recovery efforts.

Click here to complete the form. If you don't have your 12-digitCensusID, you can enter your home address instead.


"Buy Restaurant Bonds" campaign encourages customers to support restaurants by gift card purchases

The Adams Morgan Partnership is trying to help restaurants and bars that have forced to close or severely limit their services by encouraging customers to purchase gift cards for future dining. We are trying to make a splash with this campaign -- modeled after the Buy War Bonds campaigns of WWI and WWII -- to help draw attention to our 100+ restaurants and employees that are facing an uncertain future. Please join in via your own social media accounts using the hashtag #BuyRestaurantBonds

Please tag us in your social media posts about the operating status of your business so we can pass the information along.



SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact Kristen Barden at 202-997-0783.

Tag us on social media!

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