By Julie Eisenberg
Lighthouse Yoga Center

Petworth is a unique neighborhood in many ways: we have tree-lined streets, two of DC’s most beautiful Circles, a healthy mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings, and a great sense of community. But one of our most striking characteristics is that we have a host of wonderful local businesses, many of whose owners and employees live right here in Petworth.

When I moved to Petworth ten years ago, there were two restaurants – Domku (now gone) and the Hitching Post – and virtually no retail. The past decade has ushered in huge changes. Upshur Street and Georgia Avenue now offer a variety of options for both eating and shopping.

For those of us who own a business in Petworth, like my own Lighthouse Yoga Center, Julie of Willow, Joel of Qualia, Barry of the Hitching Post, Bentley's Antiques, and a number of others, this is not just our place of business, but it’s also our home. We opened our businesses here in Petworth because we saw a need for retail and dining options. We’ve stayed here because we’re committed to the neighborhood, despite rising rents.

So what can you do to help support our Petworth business community?

The easiest thing is to shop local.

But sometimes that’s harder said than done. A lot of us are accustomed to hopping into the car to run over to the "big box" stores instead of checking out what’s on the racks at Fia’s Fabulous Finds, or ordering books online instead of heading over to Upshur Street Books.

Sometimes people feel a hesitancy to venture into a local business. At Lighthouse, I hear from so many people that they want to do yoga but just don’t know how to start. (Hey, try our Yoga Fundamentals, our introductory 6-week series for beginners or anyone looking to hone basic skills). And I talk to neighbors who say they don’t have time. I say, make self-care a priority. You deserve it.

In December, the local Upshur businesses will be launching a First Friday Art Night on December 2nd, and then the Upshur Street Art and Craft Fair is December 10th, and we’ve got lots of events in store for the winter. The Petworth Business Community is working for you, but we need your support to keep us alive and healthy!

Yoga Fundamentals starts on Wednesday October 26 and meets weekly from 6-7 pm for 6 weeks. Give yoga a try this season!

Ed note: I'm pleased to present this an article by Julie Eisenberg, owner of Lighthouse Yoga on 9th Street in Petworth and a long-time sponsor and supporter of Petworth News. Julie wrote this sponsored article on behalf of local businesses and her studio's latest yoga class for beginners, called "Yoga Fundamentals."

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