March 26, 2025
Updates from Adams Morgan
Click Here
to see previous updates in our newsletter archive
Check
ObviouslyDC.com
for the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.
Be prepared. Visit to
Ready.DC.gov
for preparedness information for a
variety of hazards including manmade and natural disasters.
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AdMo Art Walk Returns Next Week
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Adams Morgan will soon become your own personal art gallery thanks to the
AdMo Art Walk
, a free, fun way to experience art brought to you by the
Adams Morgan Partnership BID
and The
DC Arts Center
in collaboration with local artists and neighborhood businesses!
Walk the streets of Adams Morgan and admire an impressive selection of local artwork displayed in storefronts from April 3 through April 30. Thanks to overwhelming support from the community since the initial launch in 2021, the Art Walk continues to gain momentum – which enables us to bring you the biggest event yet with 21 participating businesses displaying original creations from local artists.
Each Saturday and Sunday throughout the event,
The DC Arts Center will be offering guided walking tours
of the AdMo Art Walk for just $5, making brief stops at each location to discuss the artwork, artist, and local businesses. Space is limited so please
reserve your spot here
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Save the Date: Spring PorchFest is coming May 3!
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Adams Morgan Spring PorchFest is just over a month away and we're really excited about this one!
We're anticipating our biggest PorchFest ever with over 100 bands on 20+ stages throughout the business district and surrounding neighborhood. Headlining on the main stage on 18th Street will be Gangstagrass -- a bluegrass/hip-hop group, known for the theme song of the FX television show Justified.
Check out the promo
Gangstagrass recorded for PorchFest!
Visit
admoporchfest.com
for more info as it becomes available and to sign up as a band or porch host.
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Attention Adams Morgan Food & Beverage Businesses:
Taste of Pride, Adams Morgan: April 4-6, 2025
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Taste of Pride
is a multi-tiered
Capital Pride Alliance
(CPA) event series celebrating the rich connection between the LGBTQ+ and culinary communities. This year's program will feature a multi-month collaboration between DC’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) that showcase the distinctive flavors and culinary talents within these vibrant neighborhoods.
Taste of Pride aims to blend the culinary artistry of our city with the pride and diversity that define our community, paving the way for a vibrant
WorldPride 2025
celebration.
We are trying to get all signups completed by Friday.
Confirmed Partners
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Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington DC
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Visit Washington DC | Destination DC
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DC Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs
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DC Mayor’s Office on Nightlife and Culture
Click here
to download the full info sheet including participation tiers, FAQs, and links to sign up.
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Registration is open for Bike To Work Day
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Register
for the Adams Morgan Pit Stop and plan on joining us in
Unity Park on Thursday, May 15 from 7:30-9:30am
. We'll have refreshments, giveaways, and maybe a few surprises as well. Unity Park is at the intersection of Columbia Rd., Euclid St. and Champlain St., NW in front of The LINE DC.
We'll also be joined by
Upshift Workshop
who will have bicycle repair stations, free educational bike safety checks, and an info table with upcoming events and ways to get involved in their shop community.
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From our friends at
The Potter's House
:
We have a milestone to celebrate—
The Potter’s House is turning 65!
For over six decades, we've been a home for radical hospitality, community gathering, and justice-rooted work in DC.
On April 26, 2025, we’re marking the occasion with a 65th birthday celebration
—free cake all day, community events during our open hours, and an evening Homecoming gathering to share our vision for the future. Best of all - You’re invited!!! For all the book lovers, April 26 is also
Independent Bookstore Day
, so we have a lot to be grateful for!
But before we party, we need your help to carry this legacy forward. For now, save the date and stay tuned for ways to give and be part of our future.
Save the date and get ready to celebrate!
We hope to see you there!
Justin and The Potter's House DC Team
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As an operator, you know well the investment and care put into sourcing and purchasing ingredients for dishes. The last place anyone wants to see those efforts go is in the trash at the end of the night.
Which is why RAMW Allied Member Food Rescue US - DC is spotlighting
Food Waste Prevention Week April 7 to 13
with special programs and a new check insert to let diners know about your restaurant's sustainability efforts.
Learn how you can be a Food Rescue partner and order check inserts from DC Site Director
Kate Urbank
today.
On to this week's updates:
More Immigration Resources Now Available
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More Operator Takeaways
: Download the I9 audit guidance and checklist attached to this week’s message, courtesy of RAMW Allied Member Grossman Young & Hammond, to ensure your business remains compliant with current requirements.
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More Resources:
RAMW.org/Immigration
is your hub for more guidelines, FAQs, and resources to contact for more information.
Registration Now Open for Management’s Guide to Union Organizing Webinar
As labor efforts grow in hospitality, restaurant operators must understand their legal rights. This webinar covers key labor laws and best practices for employer-employee relations.
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Join us:
On Apr 8 at 11am over zoom for expert insights and guidance on navigating labor organization in the restaurant industry.
Register Here
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Elevate Your Service Workshop
Turn good service into unforgettable hospitality. Learn actionable strategies to solve common service challenges, boost revenue, and create a seamless dining experience that keeps customers coming back.
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Serve It Up:
Tues., Apr 15 from 10am - noon.
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No Cost Frills:
No cost, This Program is being funded, partially or fully, through the District of Columbia Executive Office of the Mayor - Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
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Priority Service:
Attendees from restaurants located in DC will be prioritized for attendance.
Register Now
DC Retail Grant Applications Deadline Monday: Get Your Share of $10,000
Small retail businesses can now apply for Mayor Bowser's 2025 Robust Retail Grant Program, offering $10,000 grants to 48 eligible DC businesses selected through a lottery process.
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Why It Matters:
Since launching in 2019, this program has distributed $4 million to nearly 500 retail establishments across all eight wards. The funding can cover critical expenses including wages, rent, insurance, utilities, inventory, cleaning supplies, online/delivery costs, taxes, and debt obligations.
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What's New This Year:
DSLBD is dedicating $90,000 specifically for businesses along the North Capitol Main Street corridor as part of a targeted revitalization effort.
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Who Qualifies:
For-profit, consumer-facing, independently owned businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees operating a licensed retail location in DC.
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Take Action:
Apply by Monday
. Recipients will be announced during DC Small Business Week (May 5 to 9).
RAMMYS Finalists Announcement April 14
Mark your calendar! The RAMMY Finalists Announcement is 5 pm at The Hamilton LIVE in just two weeks! Join us as we reveal the outstanding restaurants and industry professionals nominated for this year’s awards.
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Congratulations:
Finalists for Allied Member of the Year were announced at last week’s Annual Meeting. Cheers to Congressional Seafood, Harmony Group, Keany Produce, The Legacy Group, and Preferred Insurance. The recipient of this year’s Allied Member of the Year will be announced at The RAMMYS Honors on July 1.
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Let’s Celebrate:
RSVP Today
Acme Paper Showcase
Join Acme Paper & Supply this April for an exclusive look at the latest innovations and trends in restaurant equipment, commercial cleaning facilities solutions, and foodservice packaging.
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Discover
cutting-edge products designed to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience.
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Network
with industry experts, explore groundbreaking solutions, and gain insights into the future of your business.
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Register:
Be there on Apr. 8 from 10 to 4pm
RSVP Today
Save The Date For POWERUP DC 2025 Small Business Summit
Experience cutting edge workshops, networking & coaching, tools for self-employment, procurement opportunities, access to capital, and executive luncheon hosted by DC Health Benefit Exchange (DC HBX).
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Empowerment
: Educate and strengthen small businesses in a changing landscape.
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I’ll Be There:
May 6 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.
Save The Date Restaurant Partners Wanted For Savor The Flavors
Savor the Flavors of Passport DC celebrates authentic dining experiences representing the unique availability of cuisines from around the world that can be found in DC.
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Get Attention:
Join this opportunity
to promote your restaurant to locals and visitors in May.
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Who Can Participate?
All restaurants and eateries in DC, membership in RAMW is not required.
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What’s the Cost?
There is no fee to participate.
Learn More
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Washington Metropolitan Area Diner Survey
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The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington wants to hear from you!
Take this short survey
to be entered to win two $50 gift cards to a RAMW member restaurant! The survey only takes a few minutes and closes on April 4, 2025. Don’t miss out on the chance to win (and eat some delicious food!)
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Help shape the DC budget: share your insights on DC’s business environment
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We are less than 30 days away from Mayor Bowser releasing her FY 2026 budget – and it is critical that we help shape this year’s budget priorities.
We know the District isn’t operating as efficiently as it could. The DC Council passes laws and imposes rules that needlessly restrict life’s essentials. Housing is hard to build, services are difficult to access, and the cost of living is far too high. Meanwhile, local government struggles to address residents’ concerns. DC employers must make our collective voice heard.
The Adams Morgan Partnership
is collaborating with
Opportunity DC
to gather insights from local entrepreneurs to help shape the FY 2026 budget so that DC can realize its potential as a prosperous, affordable, and well-run city for all District business owners and residents.
Please take five minutes to fill out this survey
to share how DC policies have affected your business and what local government can do to help your business thrive.
Survey deadline is April 18.
Your input will support efforts for policies, funding, and more streamlined regulations that unleash the innovation of District entrepreneurs. Your insights are valuable and your time is much appreciated.
Please feel free to reach out to
Opportunity DC Executive Director Malcom Fox
if you have any questions about the survey or how else you can get involved in shaping the DC budget.
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Remember to File Your Biennial Report with DLCP!
Due April 1
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April 1 is the deadline for business entities to file their Biennial Report, Form BRA-25, with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
Every domestic and foreign Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited Partnership, General and Limited Cooperative Association, or Statutory Trust registered with DLCP is required to file a biennial report by the April 1 immediately following the year the entity was formed or registered with DLCP, and then every two years thereafter. Depending on the year in which your entity was formed, you may have to file the report on even-numbered or odd-numbered years.
If you do not know what year your entity should file in, you can go to
DLCP's CorpOnline website
and check your entity's filing history by searching for the legal name under "Business Filings Search." You must create a free user profile in order to use CorpOnline. You should also check to see if your entity's status is listed as "Active," which indicates that all of your entity's prior reports have been filed and that your entity is in good standing with DLCP.
For more information, including how to file online or download paper filings, visit
https://dlcp.dc.gov/node/1614386
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Mark Your Calendar! POWERUP DC: A Small Business Summit is Back on May 6th!
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Empowering Small Business Success in a Changing Landscape
Tuesday, May 6; 8:30am - 3:00pm
Business Conference Center
MLK, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW
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Access to Capital
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Procurement Opportunities
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Tools for Self-Employment
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Cutting Edge Workshops
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Networking & Coaching
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Business Expo
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Executive Luncheon
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Request for Applications (RFA) released for Great Streets Retail Grants, Locally Made Manufacturing Grants, Emerging Retail Initiative
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FY25 Great Streets Retail Grant Program
Click here more info
including the RFA
RFA Opened: March 14, 2025
RFA Closing: April 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
FY25 DC Locally Made Manufacturing Grant Program
Click here for more info
including the RFA
RFA Opened: March 14, 2025
RFA Closing: April 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
FY25 Emerging Retail Initiative Grant Program
Click here for more info
including the RFA
RFA Opened: March 14, 2025
RFA Closing: April 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
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Your Weekly Small Business Workshop Calendar is Here!
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The Coalition is committed to strengthening and connecting the small business ecosystem in the District, serving as a community quarterback that collaborates across small business support organizations and entities to enhance funding, support services, resources, and information for small businesses in DC.
The DCSmallBizHelp workshop calendar is designed to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners in DC with local trainings, workshops, and other events that work to provide networking, education, and capacity building for small businesses.
Download the Full Calendar
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The Coalition is excited to announce the release of our updated Guide to Small Business Financing in Spanish!
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The Coalition created the Guide to Small Business Financing to help small business owners in the District navigate the various local lenders (i.e., financial institutions including banks, CDFIs, MFIs) and loan products to find the best financing options for their business. There is a wealth of information on lenders and loan products available to support small businesses, and this guide aims to consolidate that information and provide key tips on how small business owners can research, compare, and apply for these financial resources.
While this guide is useful for any small business, it is specifically designed for first-time borrowers embarking on their search for debt financing.
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Upcoming Free Small Business Webinars
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Thursday, March 27
Developing Financial Projections for Your New Small Business
Learn to forecast sales, estimate startup costs and manage cash flow with step-by-step guidance from small business experts.
REGISTER
Friday, March 28
Networking That Works: Building a Referral-Driven Business
Discover referral-based networking strategies to grow your business through trusted connections and lasting client relationships.
REGISTER
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Customer Service Center Temporarily Relocated
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The DLCP Customer Service Center has temporarily moved from the second floor to the sixth floor (Suite E630) at 1100 4th Street SW.
Customers continue to receive the same high-quality service from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), the Department of Buildings (DOB), and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT):
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DLCP Walk-in Center
: Assistance with obtaining, renewing, and managing business and professional licenses, as well as support for filing complaints and resolving consumer issues.
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DOB Walk-in Center
: Resources for residential and commercial permit applications, plan reviews, and vacant building inspections.
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DDOT Permitting Center
: Support for filing permit applications related to the District’s public space.
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Small Business Resource Center
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DC APEX Accelerators help businesses
DC APEX Accelerator
offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.
If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC APEX Accelerator, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local, and federal government contracts.
The full calendar of upcoming events can be found
here
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FY25 Business Funding Opportunities
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New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:
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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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Open for Applications
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Special Event Relief Fund -
Open for Applications
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Vitality Fund
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Open for Applications
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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💸Funding for Latino-Owned Businesses
Are you interested in starting or expanding your business? Our team of business coaches can provide you with one-on-one advice and training to help you manage and grow your business.
Apply online
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💸 Amazon Black Business Accelerator
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers.
More information
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Additional Funding Opportunities:
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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.
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BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online as well as in-person (hybrid) and begin at 5pm.
Our Annual Meeting is held in March. Contact
Brian Barrie
for information about attending board meetings.
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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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