Retailers Connect at the WDCEP’s Spring Retail Summit
Contact: Raguel Broy Turner
Manager, PR & Communications
202.661.8670
April 6, 2006
Washington, D.C.—More than 80 local and regional retailers, brokers and real estate developers attended yesterday’s Spring Neighborhood Retail Summit presented by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership.
The Summit sponsored by Lowe Enterprises, provided a rare opportunity for established and potential business owners to interact with lenders, DC Government officials and those who can directly help their businesses grow. Gary Cha of YES! Organics, a family-owned and operated grocery store said of the event, “The amount of resources the Economic Partnership has here today is amazing. Business owners would pay hundreds of dollars to get this information and here it is, for free.”
Washington, DC Economic Partnership President and CEO Steve Moore says, “This forum is so important to small business owners who are just looking to get on a level playing field with the big retailers. Our retail summits are the perfect method for businesses who are looking to grow; here they can connect with DC Government officials, speak directly to lenders and connect with other business owners.”
The exclusive event featured a presentation by Derrick Woody, coordinator of DC’s Great Streets program. The program will revitalize many of DC’s underserved neighborhood corridors, transforming them into inviting areas for commerce. The Great Streets program is just one of the initiatives the DC Government is undertaking to enhance business in the neighborhoods.
In addition to overviews by National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC) on their projects including DCUSA, Radio One Headquarters and Kenyon Square, the capacity crowd heard testimony from business owners. PowerPoint presentations from NCRC, DC Government’s Great Streets and reStore DC programs, and Lowe Enterprises will be available on this website on Friday, April 7, 2006.
Kimberly Wilson of Tranquil Space Yoga informed the audience that “the vibrancy and energy of the city,” was what brought her to DC. With one successful location in the District and one in Maryland, Ms. Wilson is looking to open her second DC yoga studio.
For business owners scouting for new locations, the summit featured three concurrent bus tours of available retail sites. Buses visited 75 sites in emerging commercial corridors including Anacostia Gateway, Jenkins Row, Southeast Federal Center, the former Washington Convention Center, City Vista, Gallery Tower, and Howard Town Center. The Economic Partnership provided information on each site such as the amount of available square footage, date of delivery and broker contacts.
The Economic Partnership’s next retail attraction efforts will take them to the International Convention of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 21-24, where they will lead the District delegation.
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The WDCEP is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public/private partnership dedicated to promoting business opportunities throughout DC and contributing to business retention and attraction activities. For more information visit www.wdcep.com/about.