Home Sweet Home

October 9, 2024


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.

2024 AMPBID Annual Survey

Below is a link to our annual survey for all members of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID. BID members are either business or commercial property owners located within our boundaries .


If you have not already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. It will help us to provide better services to the business community.

Please complete the survey by October 11, 2024.

Click here for the survey .


Thursday, October 17 at Venture X (1763 Columbia Rd., NW)

The Adams Morgan Partnership BID invites our business community to Coffee Hour! This is a free, informal event that offers businesses an opportunity to chat with BID staff, ask questions, learn about community news, introduce yourself, connect with neighbors, and more. This in-person event will take place at Venture X located at 1763 Columbia Road NW. Your RSVP is requested for planning purposes, although not required. Walk-ins are welcome.

This month we'll be joined by Sean Gordy, Chief Licensing Officer from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) to discuss current cannabis regulations.


Adams Mo  rgan Apple Festival: Saturday, October 19

The 11th Annual Adams Morgan Apple Pie Baking Contest and the 16th Annual Licking Creek Bend Farm Heirloom Apple Tasting returns to Adams Morgan on Saturday, October 19! The highly-anticipated community event will take place in front of The Line Hotel and directly across the street from the farmer’s market in Unity Park at Euclid and Champlain Streets NW.


All the slots for apple pie baking contestants have been filled.

Attention Adams Morgan Businesses

Please let us know if you’d like us to feature some sort of Fall menu item/beverage/retail item/swag/etc. and we can promote it leading up to the Apple Festival and day-of. Please let us know by October 10 if you plan to offer a special/apple-themed item using THIS FORM .


Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest: Saturday, November 2

DC's favorite neighborhood music festival returns on Saturday, November 2. Our last PorchFest in May featured about 80 bands on 20 stages and despite the damp weather was a huge success and we're working on making the November edition the best yet

Make plans to be in Adams Morgan on November 2 for an amazing variety of live music, great food & drinks, specials from several dozen businesses, and yes, 18th Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Do you want to participate?

  • If you are a musician or have a band that's interested in playing, please fill out this form .
  • If you live in the neighborhood and are thinking you'd like to be a porch host, please email Brian Barrie for more info.

We are looking for Adams Morgan PorchFest volunteers! The event will take place on Saturday, November 2nd. We have just launched our Call for Volunteers, which you can find here . For this event, we have two different volunteer positions, and each one has two shift options:

1) Headquarters Volunteer:

  • First Shift: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Second Shift: 3.15 to 6.30 p.m.

2) Porch Volunteer

  • First Shift: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Second Shift: 4.00 to 6:30 p.m.

Volunteers will receive a free PorchFest Volunteer t-shirt and will have access to our event green room where non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks will be served. We hope to see you there, this event could not take place without our amazing team of volunteers!

Attention Adams Morgan Businesses

It's time to start submitting your wristband discount specials for PorchFest! Click here to submit your special(s).



The Adams Morgan Farmers Market at Unity Park

Every Saturday through December

8:30am - 1:00pm

at Unity Park (Corner of Euclid St and Columbia Rd)


Celebrating more than 52 years serving the Adams Morgan community.

  Peach season is finally over!  We hope folks can transition into APPLE and fall produce season.

Mark your calendars for the ANNUAL APPLE FESTIVAL - Saturday, October 19, featuring the HEIRLOOM APPLE TASTING AND APPLE PIE CONTEST. More details to follow.

REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN BAGS and CONTAINERS for fragile produce.

Adams Morgan in the News

Important for food & beverage businesses:

Proposed Streatery Guidelines

Please see the information below for a virtual information session regarding the proposed streatery guidelines for food establishments only . This meeting will discuss the proposed streatery guidelines in more detail including the design requirements and permit process, as well as provide time for Q&A. Meetings for other stakeholder groups will be held separately, but all are encouraged to also attend the Public Space Committee (PSC) Special Hearing on 11/14 .


Please mark your calendars for October 28 at 2 PM and join using the access link below. Registration for this information session is not required in advance.


Webinar: Streatery Guidelines - Restaurant Information Session

Monday, October 28, 2024 2:00 PM

Link to join: Click here

Webinar number: 2305 351 8320

Webinar password: sXDUiKpU726 (79384578 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone:

+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)

Access code: 230 535 18320

Public Space Committee Hearing on November 14

The draft guidelines outline new design requirements and permit processes that all food establishments will need to follow once adopted. DDOT plans to present the draft guidelines to the Public Space Committee (PSC) on November 14th at a Special Hearing. The Hearing will be public and will include an opportunity for public comment. DDOT will also be leading a series of targeted stakeholder information sessions to walk through the proposed guidelines in more detail.

If you currently have an active temporary streatery permit (e.g., Parklet or Other Special Event), DDOT will extend your permit from December 31, 2024 to July 31, 2025. This extension is meant to allow you to time to apply for a new public space permit from DDOT under the permanent program and bring your streateries into compliance with the new guidance, while still able to operate under your current plan.

Adams Morgan businesses with streateries should sign up to testify at the PSC meeting -- this is your chance to voice any concerns you have about the proposed guidelines.


Columbia Road "Bus Priority Project" Construction Update

9/30 Construction Update from Kevin Harrison (DDOT):

  • Resurfacing work on Phase 2 will start after the concrete work is done, on or about Oct 21st and will take about two weeks. It will take place overnight for the segment between 18th and Ontario and during the day between Ontario and 16th St. After that will be the striping and bike lane delineators. We expect to be done with construction by the end of the calendar year.

Click here for a pdf of a letter DDOT says the distributed around the project area last week with more project details.


Updates from RAMW

New One-Stop Guide to Tipped Wage and Restaurant Revitalization Act You asked questions. We prepared answers.

Webinar Recap: Navigating Election Season

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our webinar, "Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations." The session was a great success, packed with valuable information and insights from law enforcement officials and local business leaders.

  • What we learned: Practical steps to safeguard your business during potential disruptions, best practices for ensuring the safety of both staff and patrons, and how to effectively collaborate with local authorities
  • What now?: For those who couldn’t attend or would like to revisit the discussion, we’re pleased to share the recording of the webinar. You can access it here . Use Passcode: .+bggc4a
  • Third District Watch Commander: (202) 276-7462

Cut Your Payments: New SBA Loan Options to Reduce Debt

New SBA changes could help small business owners, including restaurant operators, refinance existing debt with better terms through expanded 504 loan options starting Nov. 15.

  • What’s new: Small business borrowers, including restaurant operators, can soon refinance existing debt into government-backed loans with more favorable terms, thanks to changes in the SBA's “504” lending program.
  • Why it matters: The 504 program, once just for land and equipment, now offers refinancing options for all kinds of loans, reducing loan payments for many small businesses.
  • Who’s eligible: Restaurants and small businesses with a net worth under $15 million.
  • Loan details: Max loan amount is $5.5 million in 10, 20, and 25 year terms with 3% interest rate.
  • Need advice? Local Certified Development Companies (CDCs), backed by the SBA, can help you navigate your options. Learn more .


Construction Update: Champlain Substation

From Pepco:

Pepco is committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to our customers and communities in the District of Columbia. The Capital Grid Project is a forward-looking plan that will strengthen our energy grid and promote enhanced reliability. As a part of this project, construction is anticipated to begin on the Champlain Substation in 2025 and related work in the surrounding area is in progress.


We are committed to keeping you updated every step of the way regarding this critical work. Please join us for a virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 where we will provide updates on the Champlain Substation construction .


Topics of discussion will include:

  • Champlain Substation Construction
  • Work Surrounding the substation
  • Construction timelines -
  • Neighborhood Impacts

Thank you, in advance, for your patience and understanding as we work to safely complete this important reliability work. If you have questions or concerns regarding this work, please contact: Travoris Culpepper (202) 428-1052 | tculpepper@pepco.com


Tuesday, October 22, 2024; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Click to Join Virtually (to view the presentation):

Join by Phone (to hear presentation only): (443) 529-0267; Conference ID - 413 332 590#

Your input is needed for Climate Ready DC 2.0

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) are organizing six open-house events across various wards of the District for November and December. These open houses will offer residents an opportunity to engage with the updates to the Climate Ready DC Plan and provide feedback on the issues that matter most to them. We encourage all District residents to attend, share their experiences, and contribute to shaping a more resilient future for the District.


In addition to the open houses, we are also conducting a short online survey (available through November) to gather further input from the community. The survey takes only 2-3 minutes and is a great way for residents to share their thoughts and concerns about climate challenges.



Ask The Expert Podcast

Click here for more information and to register.

DC Business Microline of Credit Program: Expansion and Extension to Apply by October 17

DC Business Microline of Credit just got better!

The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has expanded and extended the deadline for their 2024 DC Business Microline of Credit Program until October 17.

  • What is a business Line of Credit (LOC)? LOC is a pre-set borrowing limit that a business owner can use anytime and as they need it. The business borrower: can take money out as needed until the limit is reached (draw down); is charged interest on any amount borrowed or drawn down
  • What’s new: The program increased lines of credit to $25,000 at 6% interest ($0 fees); New term loans up to $25,000* at same low 6% interest ($0 fees); Open to sole proprietors licensed in dc extended
  • About the Program: Funded by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and ​offers 2 products through their local lending partners: Waste Not, Want Not LOC offered by EatsPlace to focus on food waste mitigation activities; General Business Growth LOC offered by Life Asset to help operate, grow and expand.
  • How to Apply: Vist the DSLBD website to explore and apply! Earlier submissions are welcome; lenders are reviewing/awarding on a rolling basis.

Upcoming Business Events for October

In collaboration with the Howard University Small Business Development Center (DCSBDC), the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is presenting the " Business Foundation Series ," a small business workshop series designed to prepare anyone starting a business for success!


Experienced DCSBDC business counselors will teach these sessions in-person at the Martin Luther King Jr. DC Public Library. Attendees are encouraged to seek advisory assistance from a DCSBDC business counselor to develop their business concepts further.

Business Concept & Assessment Session

Wednesday, October 30

Starting a business can create excitement and anxiety, which can lead to premature starting. Proper pre-planning increases your chances of success. It’s one of the top reasons why businesses succeed and thrive in a competitive environment.

Click here for more info and to register

Indigenous Peoples' Day Office Closure, Extended Hours

ABCA’s office will be closed on Monday, October 14, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15.


Extended Holiday Hours

For Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend, alcohol licensed establishments enrolled in the Extended Holiday Hours Program may sell, serve, and allow on-premises consumption of alcohol until 4:00 a.m. and operate 24 hours starting the evening of Friday, October 11, and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14.


Licensees may confirm enrollment by locating their establishment’s name on the 2024 Indigenous Peoples' Day roster . If you believe your establishment was omitted by error, email ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov .

Small Business Technical Assistance Working Group

Thursday, October 10; 1:00 pm

Please mark your calendar and join us this Thursday, October 10 at 1:00 pm, for the Small Business Technical Assistance Working Group.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 858 4286 8871

Passcode: 016260

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,85842868871# US

+13092053325,,85842868871# US

DC Small Biz Help Workshop: Fall 2024 Calendar

Have you heard? The new DCSmallBizHelp.com is here! CNHED is excited to announce the relaunch of DCSmallBizHelp , a one-stop resource hub to help plan, start, and grow your small business. The newly revamped website connects small businesses to various services, programs, lenders, and government agencies in the District.

Check out the upcoming training and knowledge building opportunities in CNHED's DC Small Business Help Workshop Calendar .

Dos and Don’ts to Prepare Your eCommerce Business for Holiday Sales

Join LISC Monday, October 28, 2024, 1:00 - 2:15 pm ET for an interactive workshop on the dos and don’ts of ecommerce as you prepare for the holiday season. In this session, we expand on key lessons from the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Learning Path: “Master the eCommerce essentials” and from a successful ecommerce business owner on:

  • Identifying your target audience and what they care about
  • Honing in on your unique value proposition
  • Dos and Don’ts of E-commerce Sales

This workshop is ideal for small retail business owners who currently sell or are aspiring to sell their products online. Come prepared to share tips and tricks with your fellow business owners!


Note: Make sure to sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and complete 2 courses from the Learning Path: "Master the eCommerce essentials" before the workshop. This preparation not only ensures you're ready for the workshop but also qualifies you to win a $10,000 grant for your business! Learn more here .


Register Now

FY24 Business Funding Opportunities

New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:

  • Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate - Open for Applications
  • Special Event Relief Fund - Will reopen Friday, October 11
  • Vitality Fund - Open for Applications

Go to ObviouslyDC.com for more information on all of these programs.


Grant Opportunities

💸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

💸 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 .

💸 2024 Amber WomensNet's Grant

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Rolling

Learn more here

In 1998, we gave our first Amber Grant in honor of 19-year old Amber Wigdahl, who died before fulfilling her business dreams. Today, we award three $10,000 Amber Grants each month. And three of our 36 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant.

Small Business Resource Center

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 .


SBRC One-On-One Call Session: Steps to Obtaining a Business License

Monday – Friday; By appointment between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events


SBRC One-on-One Call Session: "Talk Business After Hours"

Wednesdays by appointment between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Business Diagnostic Check - In Person Wednesday’s

Wednesdays by appointment between 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events



Submit your events and specials!

List your Adams Morgan events and business specials on our webpage for free! Click here to go to the event submission form, fill it out completely, and click on "submit event." Event submissions are reviewed to ensure the events either take place within the Adams Morgan business district or are being put on by an Adams Morgan business, and once approved should appear on the website within 48 hours.

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.

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