News, Blogs & Columns
Local First
We are a network of local business owners, non-profit leaders, and community members who are committed to cultivating a vibrant local economy by promoting independent businesses that value social equity and environmental stewardship.
Local First DC has the following objectives:
- Educate consumers about the economic, social and environmental benefits of supporting locally owned businesses.
- Increase the amount of goods purchased from local, independent businesses.
- Connect local businesses to one another and facilitate communication and collaboration between them.
We are proud to be a member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a nationwide network of 15,000 entrepreneurs dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies.
Local First DC was formed in 2006 and is a project of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), a non-profit organization located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Members
Amsterdam Falafelshop serves top-it-yourself falafels and Dutch-style fries daily from 11am till after midnight! Featured in the new Michelin Must Sees in DC, Winner of Zagat's 2009 & 2010 Best Buy & Best Middle Eastern, loved on Yelp, TripAdvisor and more! Come see us with your friends!
Apsara is a full-service creative studio. We specialize in branding, print and interactive design. Consult us to see how we can help your business grow by making attention-grabbing, targeted, professional collateral.
Art
ArtSpring Gallery Store Brimming with Gifts for 2009 Holiday Season
Salon/Spa
Barreiro Salon and Day Spa is located in Mt. Pleasant. We offer an array
Ever since the founding of Basecamp we have been at the forefront of environmentally friendly practices. As an eco-friendly neighborhood shipping and printing shop, we replaced our conventional printing paper with 100% recycled paper and began using wind generated electricity. Smaller steps have included reusing our neighbors' old packaging materials and accepting packages. We also offer all kinds of printing including banners and posters.
Embracing the approach to listen, understand and collaborate to achieve client goals through integrated design and project management.
Since 1958, Ben’s has been blessed with the most loyal of customers, and we listened when you said, "whatever you do, never change this place." After 50 years, Ben’s is the same place it always has been. The counter, booths and stools are all original; the fresh homemade chili is still made with love, using the same secret recipe. Since the 50th anniversary, the line may have gotten a little longer but the look and feel of Ben’s will never change. To our customers and especially our regulars, we appreciate you and thank you for supporting Ben's. To those reading this history that have yet to come to Ben's, we look forward to seeing you very soon. So where are Ben & Virginia Ali these days? They are both retired, but two of their sons are carrying on the family business. Please stop in and say hello - you will be greeted with a smile!
Located at 1211 U Street, right “next door” to our beloved Ben’s Chili Bowl, Next Door features incredible cuisine, 9 LCD flat screens, a 53-foot full bar, and a warm and inviting staff ready to serve you. Having 51 years of history with Ben's, Next Door has the same warm feel, with a totally different flare. We offer a variety of dishes that include our incredible Crispy-Skin Salmon, as well as our top seller, Brined Fried Chicken with 'perfect' mashed potatoes and kale. For great starters try our Seared Sea Scallops or delicious Crab Cake! We also have an extensive beer list including a "Super Cold" Heiniken tap, offer late night food, and serve Saturday and Sunday brunch. Its the unique twist of our food and signature cocktails that makes Next Door a perfect place to bring a date, family, friends or co-workers.
Pet Stuff
Full Serve Grooming & Self Serve Dog Wash
Mind and Body
boundless yoga has been helping people ground, heal, and transform in DC since 2002. We offer open, private, and semi-private classes, several specialized training tracks, as well as a boutique carrying yoga mats, clothes, and other props and accessories.
Home Decor Art
ribal and ethnic jewelry, textiles and home decor from,mauritania, madasacar, cambodia, mexico, afghanistan, india, indonesia, ecuador, senegal, morocco. peru, south africa
"Serving Up Food and Ideas since 2005"
Busboys and Poets is a bookstore, fair trade market, restaurant, and gathering place
Convenient. Classy. Captivating. Comfortable. Cool. “The Hill’s” newest all-suite property. Home to the nation’s movers and shakers. Located across from the Library of Congress, 1 block from the Metro, 2 blocks from the Capitol, and walking distance to the National Mall & Smithsonian Museums. Ideal for business or pleasure.
Clothing
Caramel offers unique clothing and accessories for men and women, featuring local, national and international designers.
Clothing
Tucked away in Capitol Hill or located in the shopping district in Georgetown, Dawn Price Baby carries unique infant and children's clothing, accessories, furniture, toys, gifts and more. Whether you are looking to design a nursery, outfit your children or buy a gift, Dawn Price Baby has the selection and experience to help.
DC Access is a local company offering high-speed wireless Internet access to residents and businesses
Pet Stuff
Dogs By Day & Nite is DC's only cageless dog daycare and overnight boarding facility. Mention this ad for your dog's free socialization test!
Food
Dos Gringos, a Mt. Pleasant Café since 1999 has been providing from sun up to sun down simple, tasty, affordable food. Eat in or take out all natural ice cream, vegetarian, non vegetarian and vegan meals. Catering, homemade soups and daily specials too.
"Celebrating Food and Folklore"
El Tamarindo is a family friendly restaurant serving fresh and flavorful Mexican & El Salvadoran cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment.
Hardware
Capitol Hill's friendly old-fashioned hardware store, has been locally owned and operated since 1920. What you'll find at Frager's is everything you need to repair, build, plant, paint, and complete your home projects. We stock parts that fit the old as well as the new. And if we don't have it, we can order it. We know our stuff, so if you have a question, ask one of our friendly employees.
Garden
Garden District Inside and Outside are two shops working together to provide quality plants, pottery and solutions.
Green Duck is a company committed to distributing goods that cause the least
Herban Lifestyle™ offers a full line of handcrafted herbal bath and body products, for adults and babies, in attractive in eco-friendly packaging perfect for gift-giving. We use only truly natural ingredients, including organic oils, herbs and essential oils – and never any synthetic, petroleum-based or other chemical ingredients.
Clothing
Junction is a vintage and resale boutique specializing in clothing, jewelry and accessories that are one of a kind. From 50s garb to current designers, each piece is hand selected by owner Shannan Fales.
Junk in the Trunk Removal Services is the trusted name in junk removal in the DC area. We will wow you with our award-winning service, pink trucks, and green-certified business practices. Junk in the Trunk will remove almost anything including old furniture, appliances, and donation items.
Clothing
Feminine. Funky. Refined. Flirty dresses, terrific tunics and unique jewelry can all be found within.
Furniture
Since 1976. This shop is loaded with two floors of old goodies including toys, jewlery, books, political memo, photo's, litho's, furniture and much more!
Salon/Spa
We are offering 10% off first time clients with selected stylists through December 31st. Manicure and pedicure combo for $55 till November 30. Our Mission: At Michael Anthony Salon, we strive to provide superior salon services in a friendly and relaxing environment. As a Paul Mitchell Signature Salon, we offer a full-range of hair services to a diverse clientele, specializing in hair color and cuts that fit each client’s personal lifestyle and taste. While at the salon, clients enjoy a beautiful view of Eastern Market while sipping complimentary beverages and sharing the latest happenings on the Hill. Led by award-winning hair stylist, Mickey Bolek, Michael Anthony Salon looks forward to seeing you for your next hair appointment. You will not be disappointed!
Your neighborhood pharmacy for over 25 years. We offer personalized consultations, fast and efficient service, and free local delivery.
MYiLIVE is an online marketplace that offers consumers a unique method to browse and shop local businesses from across the country. Local business owners have the opportunity to sell their products and services to an entirely new audience.
Mind and Body
New Life Wellness Center offers a holistic approach to healthcare through homeopathy and naturopathic services. This includes supporting our patients through partnership and education, teaching people a better understanding of nature’s signs of illness.
Food
Open City is thankful for being a part of the Woodley Park community for over 4 years. Come in from the cold this holiday season and join us for breakfast, an afternoon tea and pastry or dinner with friends. We’d love to have you!
Clothing
Palace 5ive carries a solid selection of skate and lifestyle essentials from boards and apparel to sneakers and accessories.
Project Fitness is a concept that promotes physical health and fitness as a healthier lifestyle choice.
Home Decor Furniture
RCKNDY offers unique gifts and modern home decor to an urban DC consumer.
ReBuild a nonprofit used building materials warehouse accepts donations of quality used building materials-All tax deductable. Proceeds will be used to fund training programs for hard-to-place workers in “green collar” jobs. December 5th ReBuild will hold the dedication of their new “Community Corner”. The Community Corner will feature photos of completed projects from customers, community events, local and small business contacts, and more.
Clothing
Redeem's cozy haunt on 14th and S Streets NW is the perfect spot to find the spirited, fresh, and bold styles washingtonian men and women having been yearning for.
Results Gym is Washington, DC’s favorite locally owned fitness club. Customer service driven and community-minded, Results provides a fun and friendly atmosphere that will keep you motivated to stay fit. Four convenient locations and great prices to fit every budget.
Clothing
A sleek and trendy new boutique on 14th St carrying young, edgy styles for men and women that are reasonably priced.
Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is one of the main providers of youth and family services in the District of Columbia and the city’s principal provider of services to homeless youth. Along with 16 other youth-programs, SBY operates the only shelter for homeless youth in the DC area.
Dr. Samaddar has been a practicing dentist since 2000 in DC. She is committed to providing her patients with the best individualized care possible by utilizing the latest materials and techniques that are minimally invasive. She wants her patients to live in optimum oral health through education and prevention.
Food
An award-winning bakery and café specializing in mouth-watering sweets and savories made entirely without eggs, dairy, or other animal products (vegan)! From classic cookies, cupcakes, and wedding cakes to chik'n quesadillas, chili dogs, lasagna, and more--taste why City Paper readers voted us "Best Bakery" two years in a row!
Home Decor
Since 1981, The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques has specialized in selling authentic antique hardware, restored lighting, mantels, stained glass, ironwork and other decorative items dating from 1850-1940.
Food
Adams Morgan’s 24 hour diner, has been serving “early birds, night owls, and everyone in between” for over 9 years. Fuel up for those long days of shopping this holiday season or treat yourself to a piece of homemade pumpkin pie; our lights are always on!
Eclectic Book Collection, Fair Trade Gifts, Art Gallery, Live Music Friday Night Café Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Espresso, Organic Teas Fresh Baked Wheat Rolls every weekday with cakes and pies from our ovens Free Wireless Internet Now Accepting Potomac Local Currency
Local printers that do more than you can imagine! We make
The Rotary Club of Capitol Hill is a service-centered, volunteer organization of business and professional leaders. Our members participate in projects locally and abroad to address today's challenges including illiteracy, disease, hunger and lack of clean water. The Rotary Club of Capitol Hill is a local chapter of Rotary International.
We are a network of local business owners, non-profit leaders, and community members who are committed to cultivating a vibrant local economy by promoting independent businesses that value social equity and environmental stewardship.
Tizane Beverages are reawakening our link to the plant world by bringing to market delicious artisanal blends of 100% organic pure botanical infusions that are lightly sweetened with blue agave. Tizane is uniquely a caffeine and tea-free beverage that features time-honored botanicals used for their many restorative and balancing benefits.
Gifts
The Art of Peru
The Town Tavern is your neighborhood pub with multiple private party areas, huge dance floors, and dozens for HD TV’s with surround sound to watch all your favorite teams. For more information, reservations or to book a Tavern Party please call us at 1(877)60-BEERS 1.877.602.3377"
Food
Tryst coffeehouse, bar and lounge, is proud to be Adams Morgan’s community gathering place for the past 11 years. Stop by for a coffee before shopping or join us for one of our winter warmer cocktails with friends and share in the holiday cheer!
Pet Stuff
"THE DEN" IF YOUR PET IS UNBECOMING TO YOU THEN YOU SHOULD BE COMING TO US. SEVENTEEN YEARS AT OUR CAPITOL HILL LOCATION. OVER 30 YEARS OF GROOMING EXPERIENCE. COME JOIN OUR FAMILY AT "THE DEN" SHORT & LONG TERM BOARDING AVAILABLE.
Garden
Washington Gardener magazine is the gardening publication published specifically for the local metro area — Washington DC and its suburbs. The magazine is written entirely by local area gardeners. They have real-world experience with the same problems you experience in your own gardens. The content of the magazine gives real examples that you can use immediately in your own garden.
