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| Source: Petworth News |
This year Lower Georgia Avenue has a little extra sparkle for the holiday season as nearly 60 local businesses competed in the first annual Holiday Lights competition! Lower Georgia Ave Main Street (LGAMS), managed by local nonprofit District Bridges, worked with small business owners who created beautiful, intricate displays to bring attention to their stores and remind residents that these neighborhood shops are attractive alternatives to online commerce, food deliveries, and suburban malls.
From 12/1-12/11, community judges and residents cast votes for their favorite displays. Winners included both legacy businesses and newcomers:
2019 LGAMS Holiday Lights Winners
Overall Best in Show
People’s Choice
Most Georgia Avenue
Runner-Up: Sweet Sosumba Vegan Cafe
Most DC
Best Use of Merchandise
Runner-Up: Fia’s Fabulous Finds
Best Window Display
Runner-Up: Yoga Heights
Most Creative Use of Lights
Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant
&
Salt & Pepper Grill
Most Colorful Display
Runner-Ups: Midlands and Looking Glass Lounge
Best Indoor/Outdoor Display
Congratulations to All Winners & Competitors
Our friends at District Bridges interviewed some of the competitors about the challenges facing small businesses in our community.
From their Press Release:
“Facing challenges from Internet commerce and changing consumer preferences, small businesses are especially vulnerable. They do not have the economies of scale to take advantage of bulk purchasing or large margins to absorb regional variation in fixed costs. Additionally, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s recent study ranked DC as America’s most gentrified city, and commercial property owners are shifting property tax burden increases to tenants. In DC, the most vulnerable are those that have been here the longest and have served communities in times of economic hardship but are now finding revenue increases unable to keep pace with rising land costs.”There are very few protections offered to commercial tenants against displacement from escalating rents,” says Jennifer Kuiper, LGAMS Neighborhood Director. Yet the presence of community-serving businesses shapes the character, culture, and availability of needed goods and services that make DC’s neighborhoods not only attractive but also inclusive.”We see ourselves as an integral part of the community…where everyone can come, share ideas and then go out and execute on those ideas,” shares Pablo Sierra, owner of Walls of Books in Park View. “It’s imperative that we maintain and always build on our relationships in the community—to know the needs and how we can help fill those needs.”To try to stabilize small businesses, LGAMS is exploring models for building ownership for businesses. However, ownership does not adequately protect businesses from tax burdens that are increasing faster than revenues. The DC Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development is also working on policy solutions.”In the meantime,” urges Kuiper, “Next time you’re in need of a dress, haircut, coffee, or gift, think local first and help keep our community filled with the amazing businesses that help make it such a unique place to live.”
A great reminder to shop local and support our community this holiday season, and enjoy the beautiful decorations while you’re at it!
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A post shared by Lower Georgia Ave Main Street (@lgamainst) on Dec 16, 2019 at 8:17am PST
Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street Holiday Lights is organized by District Bridges’ Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street program. To learn more, visit www.LGAHolidayLights.org.
To find out more about this and other holiday events happening in the neighborhood – including deals this week with Midlands, Hook Hall, and more – check out LGA Holiday Events Page!
