A local non-profit is hoping that a little sprucing up in D-C's Adams Morgan neighborhood will help bussiness owners attract more customers.

Jessica Forres reports…



Batuhan Sen stands outside of Meze Restaurant… one of the many independent, restaurants and bars lining 18th street. He’s been there since the restaurant opened eight years ago and this is the first time he’s seen sales decline...15 percent down from a year ago.

WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WE ARE TRYING TO REDUCE THE COSTS AND I MYSELF HAVE STARTED BARTENDING DURING THE WEEK.

Sitting outside of the Adams Mill Bar and Grill, Lisa Duperier with Adams Morgan Main Street… a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood…says there’s no question that businesses are cash-strapped. That’s why the group is helping redo their exteriors...

THERE’S A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR DOLLARS NOW AND PATRONS HAVE CHOICES OF WHERE TO GO SO MAKING SURE THAT THE BUSINESS EXTERIORS LOOK INVITING AND INVITE PEOPLE IN SO WHEN THEY ARE WALKING ALONG THE STREET PERHAPS SEEING IT FROM A BUS OR A CAR IF THE EXTERIOR LOOKS MORE INVITING THERE’S A GREATER CHANCE OF PATRONS INSIDE.

Back at Meze, the patio floor has been paint red and the rails black and white. Sen says it's the little things that are important...especially now...

ITS PART OF THE AMBIENCE SO I BELIEVE AS IN TOTAL IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

It's too early to tell if the work is paying off, but Adams Morgan Main Street’s Duperier notes no bussinesses in Adam's Morgan have closed yet.


Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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Some businesses in DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood are receiving help from a local non-profit to spruce up their store fronts.

Jessica Forres reports...

Crooked Beat Records on 18th street specializes in vinyl records. Bill Daily is the owner.

WE’VE BEEN AROUND FOR TWELVE YEARS AND WE’VE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON INDEPENDENT LABELS AND STUFF THAT’S REALLY HARD TO FIND. WE KIND OF SHUN THE MAIN STREET STUFF OF WHAT CIRCUIT CITY AND BEST BUY ALL OF THEM DO.

His sales are up but the number of walk-in customers is down.

WE’VE TURNED OUR FOCUS IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS A LOT MORE ONLINE. WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN SELLING ONLINE AND NOW WE’VE PROBABLY DOUBLED OUR EFFORTS ON ONLINE SALES.

Lisa Duperier with Adams Morgan Main Street… a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood… is sitting outside of Adams Mill Bar and Grill. Her group is helping business owners, such as Daily, beautify their store fronts to attract customers.

THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT EVERYONE CAN TELL THERE’S AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND ADAMS MORGAN IS NO DIFFERENT AND WHAT ADAMS MORGAN MAIN STREET TRIED TO DO IS A QUICK FIX DESIGN FAÇADE SPRUCE UPS THAT MEANS FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU HAVE A BASEMENT ENTRANCE, YOU PAINT THE BASEMENT STAIRS AND YOU TRY TO MAKE THE AREA MORE INVITING.

The group paid a professional to paint the wall outside Daily's store.

HE’S DONE SEVERAL COATS AND IT REALLY STANDS OUT A LOT BETTER AND CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE MADE COMMENTS ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THE GUY HAS DONE.

They're hoping those comments result in more business. Dupiere notes no businesses inAdams Morgan have closed yet.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 news