Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, as part of #ObviouslyDC Week, Mayor Bowser celebrated Shop Made In DC, a new brick and mortar store and café stocked exclusively with DC brands and concepts. The new storefront operation is a collaborative retail extension of the Made in DC program and is made possible through a partnership with the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID), Boston Properties, People Make Place, and Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG). Just a few days away from Shop Made in DC’s grand opening, the Mayor made the first purchase in the store.

“Those of us who live and work in DC already know that Washingtonians make tremendous products. Now, Shop Made in DC is giving more DC entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell and promote their brands while growing their customer base,” said Mayor Bowser. “When Washingtonians share their talents and creativity with our city, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to support them. Shop Made in DC just made that a little bit easier to do.”

The unique store features a rotating selection of products designed, crafted, built and made in DC, including jewelry, clothing, paper goods, accessories, furniture, and food products. Starting Thursday, customers can shop DC-made items from brands like DISTRICT of CLOTHING, Hollow Work Ceramics, Milks Letterpress, and Mallory Shelter Jewelry. View the Makers List for the complete list of 24 participating brands.

The in-store cafe features a menu of bagels, bialys, and breakfast sandwiches from Bullfrog Bagels, alongside a coffee program by Small Planes Coffee. Shop Made in DC is the first location for the local coffee roaster and the café will offer a full menu of espresso beverages and cold brew. New concepts Dorjee Momo, nomadic Tibetan cuisine from Chef Dorjee Tsering, and Tortilladora, southwestern tacos and sides by Chef Ed McIntosh, will also share space in the Shop Made in DC café, with their own menus available for lunch and dinner. In addition, a selection of RunningByrd Tea, Misfit cold-pressed juices, Thunder Beast craft root beer, and craft kombucha will be available.

In keeping with the store’s commitment to Washington, DC’s creative community, a soundtrack of DC bands and artists will play in-store. The store will also sell vinyl records from DC artists.

Made in DC is a DSBLD program that aims to support and promote businesses that design, make, produce, and/or assemble products in the District of Columbia. As a response to the momentum and growth of the maker and creative economy in DC, Made in DC functions as a citywide campaign and platform to create opportunity for maker businesses. Made in DC brings businesses together for resource and experience sharing and functions as a liaison between makers and local government.

Shop Made in DC is located at 1330 19th Street, NW in the Golden Triangle neighborhood and will be open to the public on Thursday. For more information, visit shopmadeindc.com.

DC Department of Small and Local Business Development

While at Shop Made in DC, Mayor Bowser announced Kristi Whitfield as the Acting Director of DSLBD. Whitfield is an executive, entrepreneur, and urban planner with extensive experience growing and advocating for small businesses. She most recently served as the Director of Public Space Operations at the Downtown DC Business Improvement District where she oversaw operations, homeless services, and public safety. As a former small business owner, Whitfield understands the critical role DSLBD plays in helping to sustain a thriving small business community.

“Under Kristi’s leadership, DSLBD will continue to strengthen our city’s business enterprise and help entrepreneurs in all eight wards uncover new opportunities,” continued Mayor Bowser. “I want to thank Tene Dolphin for her service as interim director and for her continued leadership at DSLBD.”

Whitfield received her bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology with a concentration in Black studies from Swarthmore College and her Master of City Planning with a concentration in housing and community development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She lives in Ward 6 with her husband and their two boys.

#ObviouslyDC Week

During #ObviouslyDC Week, the Bowser Administration will continue to highlight why Washington, DC is the best city for Amazon HQ2. Throughout the week, the Mayor will highlight advancements in the city’s workforce development programs that are putting more Washingtonians on pathways to the middle class and spreading prosperity to every corner of the District.