November 8, 2023
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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November AMPBID Board Meeting
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The next board meeting of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (AMPBID) will be on
Tuesday, November 14 at 5pm
via Zoom. In addition to regular business, we'll be joined by a representative from the DC
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) to discuss capital funding programs for small businesses.
Click here
to attend the board meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, November 14 at 5pm.
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PorchFest was massive!
T-shirts still available at neighborhood retailers
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Huge thank you to everyone who hosted, performed, volunteered, attended, and otherwise enjoyed the
gorgeous
weather and the amazing atmosphere. That was our biggest and best PorchFest by far! Also, very big thanks go out to our sponsors
Events DC
,
Washington Spirit
,
Tattoo Paradise
,
Up N Smoke
,
Colonial Parking
,
Gifted Curators
,
Lars Etzkorn Law PLLC
, and
Catoctin Creek
.
If you didn't get a chance to grab an official PorchFest t-shirt, they're still available at neighborhood retailers
Urban Dwell
,
Smash Records
, and
Ace Hardware
, while supplies last. This year's t-shirt was designed by Stefanie Contessoto of
Tattoo Paradise
.
Adams Morgan PorchFest will return in May of 2024.
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Venture X's new high-end coworking space is now open on Columbia Road!
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Venture X's coworking office spaces offer all the components of a traditional office space but with the dress-for-success vibe and boutique-style hospitality of an executive working environment. They get that your need for flexible space shouldn’t preclude your skimping on quality, amenities, or a professional work environment that aligns with your brand. Members can choose from a variety of flexible coworking spaces to rent, including conference rooms, collaboration areas, huddle rooms, training conference rooms, private offices, dedicated desks, larger team areas, virtual offices, and more, designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses channel their success and attain growth by focusing on their business while Venture X handles the rest.
With three outdoor decks, a fitness studio with private showers, a café with complimentary tea and coffee, indoor bike storage, and more, members have everything they need to stay productive and drive their success. Providing ample space to network with fellow professionals or take a break, all within an ideal working environment that’s thoughtfully designed to inspire our diverse membership base to collaborate.
To learn more,
book a tour
, visit the
website
or call (202) 770-3180.
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Adams Morgan Farmers Market on Saturday
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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.
FEATURING THIS WEEK low or pesticide-free:
Halloween pumpkins, napa cabbage, large apples by the pound (5 or more), (cooking and pesticide-free), stayman winesap, northern spy, honeycrisp, and 4 bean varieties:, enamame, green string beans, yellow wax beans, plus, fall greens, cabbage
(note: the above items are from last week and may not be accurate for this week's market)
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN BAGS and CONTAINERS for fragile produce.
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Upcoming events from the DC Chamber of Commerce
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2023 Chamber's Choice Awards & Gala
Presented in Partnership with Co-Chairs:
Valencia McClure, Tonya Vidal Kinlow and Henok Tesfaye
November 10, 6 - 11:30 PM
Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue Northwest,
Join the DC Chamber as they celebrate local trailblazers, being recognized with the Chamber’s Choice Awards, who have found solutions to issues in an innovative way! During this night to remember, be inspired by the impact these contributions have had on the businesses and neighborhoods around the District to make it a stronger, more cohesive community.
Learn More
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As Traffic and Profits Decline, RAMW Calls on DC Council to Act
Thanks to all who shared their challenges and experiences in our fall member survey of what it’s like running a restaurant three years following the pandemic. The
Washington Business Journal
yesterday shared key findings:
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By the Numbers:
Summer sales fell for more than one-third (35%) of restaurants compared to 2022. The decline expanded in September, when 40% of restaurants reported a downturn in sales.
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What Else
: Customer traffic is following a similar path. Summer traffic fell for 44 percent of restaurants compared to last year, and in September declined 46%.
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Profits Are Down:
75 percent of restaurants are less profitable than before the pandemic.
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This Means:
Downward trends hurt all restaurants, but threaten the viability especially of local independent restaurants. “Now is time for DC Council to stand-up our local restaurant community by passing the Dram Shop Clarification and Workers and Restaurants Are Priorities Acts,” said RAMW President and CEO Shawn Townsend.
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Stay Tuned:
More to come about survey results and how you can add your support, starting with signing on for dram shop reform below.
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About the Survey:
The survey of 287 restaurants was conducted Sep. 28 to Oct. 8. Respondents were mostly casual full-service restaurants (69%) and independently owned and operated (95%). Survey respondents were also: 66% Women owned restaurants; 14% Hispanic owned restaurants; 11% Black owned restaurants; 11% Asian Pacific Islander owned restaurants; 6% Veteran owned restaurants.
Add Your Voice for Dram Shop Reform Today
As you know, RAMW has been working closely with the
DC Nightlife Council
to advance a major legislative priority, the
Dram Shop Clarification Act
. If passed, it would help to reduce the cost of liquor liability insurance by adding clarity, definitions, and a damages cap.
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We need your help to make this proposal into law by adding your name to the attached sign-on letter. We had a good public hearing in June, when many RAMW members shared their stories about the costs and need for insurance reform.
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Click here
and send us your name, company, and electronic signature today. Your voice will be included with dozens of others calling for insurance reform.
DC Police Chief Joins RAMW Member Town Hall
Thanks to everyone who joined yesterday’s online town hall with DC Police Chief Pamela Smith. During our conversation we discussed issues ranging from licensing of Special Police Officers, to recruitment, to community engagement, to curfew enforcement.
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Follow-Up:
One tool to share are
these PDFs
to print, post, and share with your teams with information including phone numbers for your local police district captains, behavioral health services, victims hotline, and more.
Educated Eats Fundraising Campaign
Support Educated Eats culinary education scholarships and hospitality training!
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How You Can Help:
Organize a fundraising meal at your restaurant between Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 to show your support for RAMW's Education Foundation,
Educated Eats
. Choose a date for guests to dine at your restaurant, and give back a percentage of sales from those specific orders.
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Sign-Up:
Register now here
.
Last Call: Sign Up for Cocktail Week, Deadline Nov. 10
Cocktail Week
returns Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, and this year coincides with the 90-year anniversary of the repeal of prohibition.
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The Scoop:
Participating restaurants offering a cocktail and bite pairing are featured in RAMW direct marketing and social media promotions.
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What to Know:
Cocktail Week promotions touch more than 300,000 DMV diners.
Register now
.
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Project Update For Your Area-Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Project
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Week of November 6
Belmont Road NW, between Columbia Road NW and 18th Street NW
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Monday, November 6 - Thursday, November 9
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We are performing permanent restoration activities to the roadway at this location
Week of November 13
Belmont Road NW, between Columbia Road NW and 18th Street NW
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Monday, November 6 - Thursday, November 9
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Next week, we will be performing installation of new water main at this location
In light of the Veterans’ Day Holiday, there are no construction activities scheduled for Friday, November 10.
Please keep in mind that these construction activities are highly dependent upon favorable weather conditions. Questions should be directed to Director of Community Affairs Emanuel D. Briggs, (202) 787-2003 or
emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com
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Capacity Building Support Opportunity for DC Nonprofits
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Are you a DC nonprofit working in the community economic development field looking for capacity-building support to assist your organization around a specific project?
CNHED’s VISTA Strong Communities program is gearing up to select 10-12 host sites for our upcoming 2024 - 2025 AmeriCorps VISTA Program! The intent-to-apply form is now OPEN, and official applications will be available soon. Complete the form today to ensure you are the first to know when the application opens.
Submit Intent to Apply/Re-apply
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ABCA Offices closed Friday
2024 Extended Holiday Hours Schedule available
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ABCA’s office will be closed on Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 13.
The
2024 Extended Holiday Hours Schedule
is now available.
Registered and approved businesses may sell and serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m. and operate 24-hours a day in conjunction with select District Government and federal holidays—12 in total for the calendar year.
Eligible license types are limited to On-Premises Retailer and Manufacturer with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit including Temporary Licenses. Settlement Agreements and Board Orders may restrict eligibility.
To register, licensees must submit an
Extended Holiday Hours Registration Form
at least 30-days before the first holiday for which they would like to extend hours. Registration is free and forms are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Registration deadlines for upcoming eligible holidays are:
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Christmas Day Weekend | 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 24
. Extended hours start the evening of Friday, December 22, 2023, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, December 25, 2023.
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New Year’s Day Weekend | 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1.
Extended hours start the evening of Friday, December 29, 2023, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, January 1, 2024.
Prior to each holiday period, ABCA publishes a roster of businesses eligible to extend hours for that specific holiday period at
abca.dc.gov
.
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DSLBD Business to Business Service Provider Grant due 11/21
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Amount: between $5,000.00 and $50,000.00
Deadline:
November 21st @ 2pm EST
The multiple grant recipients will provide services to support other local businesses by offering business development courses, cohort management, and program marketing across several DSLBD programs such as Aspire to Entrepreneurship, Dream Pitch, Food Waste Innovation, and Just Cannabusiness.
The service areas include (details in
RFA
, Appendices B - J):
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Proposals for Storytelling and Videography Service Area
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Pitch Preparation and Pitch Coaching Service Area
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Cohort Management and Wrap-Around Support Service Area
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Pitch Day Onsite Event Management Service Area
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Pitch Micropayment Provider Service Area
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Business Classes and Workshops Service Area
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Non-Dilutive Capital Support for Regulated Cannabusiness Businesses
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Speakers Bureau Service Area
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Innovative Proposals for Services Non-Contemplated by this RFA
DSLBD intends to award grants in amounts between $5,000.00 and $50,000.00 from the $400,000.00 available for direct service provision grants.
Go the Grant Overview page for more information and to apply.
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💸 Small Business Digital Readiness Program
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
This LISC Verizon program helps small business owners succeed in a digital world with a free online videos plus opportunities for expert coaching, peer networking, and other resources. Take only two courses and enter to win a $10K grant! Past registrants can also win, enter your account for details.
Apply online
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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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💸 Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (DMPED)
The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund will provide eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $750,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. This year, businesses will need to complete three mandatory sessions in order to apply for the Fund. OPEN now on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
Learn more here
.
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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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💸 Wish Local Empowerment Program
Wish is dedicating a $2M dollar fund to give roughly 4,000 Wish Local small business grants for black-owned biz. The selected recipients will receive between $500 - $2000. This program will only be open to Black-owned stores to help promote equality and diversity.
More information
.
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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 February, May, August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online 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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