Home Sweet Home

February 22, 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.

The Return of Adams Morgan Date Nights!

Love is in the air in Adams Morgan, whether you’re looking to impress a first date, take your family out for a night on the town, or want to celebrate the "Galentine" in your life - Adams Morgan is the perfect place to show that someone special just how much you care.


Throughout February and March, Adams Morgan restaurants and retailers will provide date ideas for every kind of relationship and occasion.

Details are available at ADMODC.ORG/DATE where you can register to win one of four fabulous Date Night prize packages! Full details and entry form are available on the website.


2023 Annual Meeting and Board Elections

Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District’s (AMPBID) Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14th, from 8:45am to 11:00am at Roofers Union , 2446 18th Street NW. A breakfast buffet will be available from 8:45am and presentations will begin at 9:30 am. Contact Kristen Barden for more information and to RSVP. The meeting will be streamed online. More details about the meeting and elections can be found on our website .

Board Elections: AMPBID holds elections every year at our annual meeting in March. The board consists of 15 seats, nine of which are reserved for commercial property owners and six for business owners. Board members are elected to serve three-year terms (unless they are replacing a board member who resigned before the end of their term). This year's election will be for 6 positions on the Board of Directors (4 property owners and 2 business owners). The nominations committee has concluded their work and no further board nominations will be accepted for this election.

Postcards with information about the AMPBID Annual Meeting were mailed to all AMPBID members in January. Ballots for the election were mailed last week. If you haven't received your ballot by Friday, February 24, please contact Brian Barrie .


Black History Month Business Spotlight: Alana Jackson, Owner of Soleluna

All year round, we encourage our community to support Black-owned businesses. In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting a few Black-owned businesses in Adams Morgan and encourage you to show your support this month and beyond! Get to know Alana Jackson of Soleluna in this Business Spotlight Q&A.

Adams Morgan Partnership BID: What makes your business unique? Tell us more about Soleluna!

Alana Jackson: In my opinion, the most unique thing about Soleluna is that all of the pastries are made in-house, so you really get a special experience every time you step into the place. Unlike other coffee shops that outsource the production of baked goods, we make everything from scratch, and it's delicious.


AMPBID: Why did you go into business? Was there a single event that spurred you into it?

Jackson: I have always had a passion for cooking and baking, and on more than one occasion asked permission from my parents to stop studying at my university so that I could enroll in culinary school. That never happened, but during the pandemic I started getting more and more acquainted with the idea of pursuing a career in that field. Eventually, the ice cream shop that used to exist before Soleluna closed and before I knew it… I was the owner of a coffee shop and bakery in Adams Morgan!


AMPBID: What is your motivation/what gets you up every morning and keeps you focused?

Jackson: The main thing that keeps me focused is the passion for providing a great product and amazing service to this community.


AMPBID: What’s your favorite part about the Adams Morgan community and why?

Jackson: I love how close-knit the neighborhood is. When you go for a walk in Adams Morgan at any time of day, you are bound to see at least one or two familiar faces, and people are always genuinely excited to say hello and share a kind word. People are also very very supportive of small business, which is obviously a big plus for me.


AMPBID: What’s something your customers may not know about you and/or your business that might surprise them?

Jackson: The coffee we serve in Soleluna comes 100% from Ecuador, which is not a region that most people are familiar with or have tried coffee from (my business partner Rolando Frias is from Ecuador). The flavor is so distinct and aromatic – I would recommend anyone who hasn't tried Ecuadorian coffee before to stop in and give it a try!


Soleluna is located at 1787 Columbia Rd NW and is open daily from 7am - 3pm. Learn more at solelunadc.com .


Adams Morgan in the News

Great Streets Retail Small Business Grants now open; Awards up to $80,000 - Applications Close Friday

Great Streets is the District’s commercial revitalization initiative designed to support existing small businesses, attract new businesses, increase the District’s tax base, create new job opportunities for District Residents, and transform 13 emerging corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers. Learn more at greatstreets.dc.gov .

Grants can be used for a variety of improvements, including storefront renovations, equipment purchases and technology enhancements to support e-commerce.

Applications are now open and will be accepted until February 24 at 5pm. Click here to view the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

All businesses within the boundaries of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID are in a Great Streets Corridor. Click here for more information about other qualifications.


Commercial Property Acquisition Fund RFP is now open

The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (CPAF), which 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 is now accepting applications. This year businesses will need to complete the Commercial Property Acquisition 101 course in order to apply for the Fund.

Status: OPEN now on a rolling basis until funds are expended

Robust Retail 2023 Grant (DSLBD)

The 2023 Robust Retail Citywide grant(s) support existing DC-based retail businesses in maintaining operations and viability during the current small business crisis. DSLBD intends to award up to $5,000 per business to approximately 100 businesses from the $500,000 in available funding for the Fiscal Year 2023.

Closes: April 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM.

Learn more at https://dslbd.dc.gov/robustretailgrant

Locally Made Manufacturing Grant (DMPED)

The Locally Made Manufacturing Grant program supports local businesses that are located in a Great Streets corridor that engage in light manufacturing by providing funding for capital or tenant improvements of commercial property with a designated industrial use. This grant is intended to grow the District’s local business economy, bolster manufacturing, and strengthen supply chains within the city.

Click here to view the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

Closes: March 3, 2023 at 5:00PM

Neighborhood Prosperity Fund (DMPED)

Neighborhood Prosperity Fund (NPF) incentivizes community development, economic growth, and job creation by leveraging local funds to provide gap financing for projects that attract private investment to distressed communities. Grant funds support architectural and engineering costs, construction costs, tenant improvements, historical preservation building improvements to maintain compliance with applicable laws, development analysis, rent abatement and/or tenant concessions for up to 3 years to stabilize market rent.

Click here to view the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

Closes: March 3, 2023 at 5:00PM ET



Updates from RAMW

A Message from Shawn Townsend, President and CEO

Spring is in the air (a little too early maybe!) but I am glad to see that it is getting people out and about, dining out, celebrating Mardi Gras, enjoying DC over President's Day weekend, and so much more.


My first month at RAMW has been a great and fast introduction to many of you -- our members -- and your needs and priorities. Our team is focused on supporting the needs of your businesses now, and planning for what's coming down the road. Behind the scenes we have been crafting a 2023 Legislative Agenda, which we will share with members at our upcoming Virtual Policy Summit on March 1st at 2:00pm. Register here .


Our GA team is busy working on next steps around the implementation of Initiative 82 to soften the landing for operators in DC, and monitoring key legislation in Northern Virginia and Maryland. I look forward to sharing some of what we've been working on and where we are going next at the RAMW Annual Meeting on March 21st at Hook Hall. Invite to follow, stay tuned!


RAMW Spring Wine Fling

This year's promotion is Two Glasses, Two Courses, One Price!


Participating restaurants will offer a two-course dinner menu, at the $55 promotional price point, with each course paired with a glass of wine of your choosing.

  • You choose the App + Entree combination from your menu or create a special dish. Wine-inspired menus and dishes are encouraged but not required.
  • Pair wine options with each course
  • Offer the pairing at the SWF Price Point: $55 per person (excluding tax/gratuity)
  • Available for Dinner service only

Spring Wine Fling will start on the first day of Spring, Monday, March 20, and run through Friday, March 31, 2023.


FEE TO PARTICIPATE : $150 per restaurant

The deadline to register is Friday, March 10, 2023.

REGISTER TODAY to be showcased as part of this fun promotion featuring a great lineup of advertising and marketing to give you increased visibility to our engaged audience of diners.


Upcoming Webinars

Be sure to take advantage of all of SCORE's free or low-cost webinars. They are chockful of good and actionable information. Here are some upcoming ones:

Streatery Compliance Checks Underway

Per the Reopen Washington DC Alcoholic Beverage Amendment Act of 2021 (Reopen DC Alcohol Act), select alcohol licensed venues may operate a streatery in a DC Office of Zoning designated commercial or mixed-used area with a Streatery Endorsement through December 31, 2023.


Eligible venues include off-premises retailers, manufacturers with an on-site sales and consumption permit, and food retailers with frontage at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.


Previously, venues only needed to register their streatery with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and post their registration confirmation alongside their alcohol license. The endorsement requirement took effect on June 30, 2022.


To ensure that all venues have secured the endorsement, ABRA investigators are conducting compliance checks at venues that previously registered a streatery with DDOT to determine their operating and endorsement statuses. Venues operating streateries that were not previously registered will also be visited when observed.


During this educational outreach period, investigators will only issue written warnings for non-compliance.


Since streateries are only permitted through the end of 2023, licensees may opt to apply for a Sidewalk Café Endorsement which extends similar privileges and can be renewed in conjunction with their alcohol license. Interested licensees should submit a completed Sidewalk Café Endorsement Application .


Endorsement application questions can be directed to abc@dc.gov . Include “Streatery Endorsement” or “Sidewalk Café Endorsement” in the subject line.



Annual License Payment Deadline


Annual license fee invoices have been mailed in mid-February for:

  • Class A (retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, internet)
  • Class C and D (restaurants, hotels, clubs, multipurpose facilities, marine vessels, common carriers, arenas)
  • Caterers

The payment deadline is Friday, March 31. Payment options are detailed on the invoice. Late fees will start to accrue on Monday, April 3 and Cease and Desist Orders will be issued on Wednesday, April 26.  If you did not receive your invoice or if you have recently changed your mailing address, email abc@dc.gov . Include “Annual License Fee” in the subject line.


Metro Update: Metro's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget: Proposed Fare and Service Changes

Now until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 is your chance to tell us what you think about proposed fare and service changes that would take effect starting this summer.


These proposals are part of our Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which overall aims to:

  • Enhance safety through support of our police force, including new crisis intervention specialists
  • Ensure more frequent & reliable service , including increased train service and a complete redesign of the bus network including bus service changes on Metrobus routes B2, A12 and 16G,H, and the DC bus proposals for free fares and 24-hr service on selected routes.
  • Create a more simplified & equitable fare system , including a low-income fare program
  • Improve customer service and communications with a new integrated communications center
  • Advance sustainability , including investments in our zero-emission bus program
  • Continue capital improvements for a better Metro , including major construction and maintenance projects

Your voice and your community’s voice is critical to this process. Please review the proposals and submit your feedback by Wednesday, March 15, at 5 p.m.


Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon returns on Saturday, March 18

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will once again make its way through Adams Morgan this year. As in previous years, the runners will enter the neighborhood via the Ellington Bridge and Calvert Street, continuing to the corner of Adams Mill Rd. and Columbia Rd. where they will turn left (east). The course continues east on Columbia Rd. before turning right on to Harvard St. and on into Columbia Heights.

Most road closures and detours on Saturday will be in effect between the hours of 7:00am and 2:00pm. Streets will reopen on a rolling basis as soon as the last participant has passed and all course support materials have been removed. Please review the road closure grid and course map for more information. Residents and businesses located near the race course are urged to plan ahead and be aware of road closure schedules and alternate access routes.

Click here for more information about road closures.


Upcoming February Business Sessions

Webinar: Business Foundation Series: The Lean Business Plan

Thursday, February 23, 2023; 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60457


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

Mon–Fri; 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


Llamada telefonica: 1:1 Pasos para obtener una licencia comercial con la Sra. Herrera

Miercoles con cita de 12:00pm a 1:00pm

Registro: 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). 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.

Tag us on social media!

© Adams Morgan Partnership