Main Streets are local non-profit organizations funded by DC government to support and enhance businesses and communities from a hyperlocal perspective. They do great work for long-time established businesses that have been historically overlooked by DC as well as new businesses looking to get help.

Existing Main Streets like District Bridges, Lower Georgia Avenue, Uptown Main Street, Upper Georgia Avenue Main Streets and the Parks Main Streets all service in or around the Petworth area, supporting businesses and events like Celebrate Petworth.

DC Main Streets (DCMS) is a program established by the District of Columbia to stimulate the economic revitalization of commercial districts through application of the Main Street Approach. The DCMS Grant Awards provide funds to organizations to develop programs and services to assist business districts with the retention, expansion and attraction of neighborhood-serving retail stores, as well as unify and strengthen the commercial corridor.

The one area in Petworth that was missing was Upshur and Georgia Avenue north of New Hampshire and south of Missouri, where many businesses are thriving — or trying to, since Covid.

DC just announced that Uptown Main Street was awarded the new Petworth Main Street, which encompasses parts of Upshur from 8th to 13th Streets, and Georgia Avenue from Upshur Street north to Missouri Avenue.

“With the onset of the pandemic, many Petworth businesses lacked the support or resources to successfully adapt to changing circumstances,” said Gabriela Mossi, Uptown Main Street Executive Director. “The grant [to create the Petworth Main Street] will assist a commercial area striving to reach its full potential.”

Uptown Main Street’s track record of success along upper 14th Street and Kennedy Street NW and its existing relationships with partner organizations, such as District Bridges, Upper Georgia Avenue and The Parks Main Streets, will help in building trusted relationships with Petworth businesses to understand their challenges and tailor services to their needs.

“Our brick-and-mortar stores are what bring character to our neighborhoods, provide local jobs, and give our residents the opportunities to fulfill lifelong entrepreneurial dreams as business owners,” said Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. “Sustaining and growing the local business footprint in the Petworth community is essential for the District’s recovery.”

I’m a huge proponent of these non-profits, as I’ve seen the hard work and positive results in local businesses they support. I am surprised that the area of Georgia Avenue from Upshur to New Hampshire was left out, stuck in-between two Main Streets but without any support, as is the 200 block of Upshur Street, which could use the help. (Turns out, this block of Georgia Avenue IS covered… See Editor’s note below.)

A business owner on Georgia Avenue below Upshur was unhappy about the new designation, as he told me he had been hoping the new Main Street would help this small stretch of Georgia step up out of the funk that Covid created. (I think the neighborhood should try to visit as many of the businesses between New Hampshire and Georgia as they can!)

The creation of this Petworth Main Street will help many businesses, and it’s a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. The team running it has a good history of hosting local events, providing guidance and grants and more, that benefit the community and small business. My hope is that DC can expand the Petworth Main Street to take pick up the small section of Georgia Ave and Upshur and really blanket the area in support.

Meanwhile, excited to see what comes next.

Edit Update: So it appears Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street’s coverage area does extend up to Kansas Avenue (ends at Upshur Street), theoretically giving that area of Georgia Avenue coverage. But honestly, if I didn’t know that, and the business owner mentioned above didn’t know that… I think it’s time for LGAMS to do some outreach on the block. #2cents