Early one Saturday morning...

NEIGHBOR: "Hey - Where do you get your nails done? The shop I go to in Maryland isn't open yet"

ADVOC8TE: "I go to XXXX in Maryland - they do a great job and they are open now. They are in the shopping center on ...."

NEIGHBOR: "Thanks! I am on my way now!"

As I hung up the phone I had an epiphany. We both live right here in Congress Heights and we are traveling outside of our very own neighborhood, outside our Ward, outside our city for a mani/pedi combo. I know its not the end of the world but there is a nail shop right here in my very own neighborhood but I have never paid it a visit let alone tried their services and I don't know anyone else who has either.

That got me to thinking.

When I first moved to Ward 8 I was trying to find referrals and recommendations for local businesses. I wanted to spend my dollars in my community (that reminds me please participate in the 'Buy Ward 7 & 8 Campaign' that was the brainchild of Ms. V, writer of the 'Life In The Village' blog). I believe that a big part of economic growth comes from supporting existing businesses. When those existing businesses flourish so does the neighborhood. When the neighborhood is thriving it invites more businesses to come into the community and viola! You have economic development right on your front door step.

I have to admit when I first moved to Congress Heights it was challenging trying to spend my money in local shops. As in most of Ward 8 a major factor is that there are not a large variety of businesses to speak of (luckily that is changing and quickly). In 2008 Ward 8 got it's first sit down restaurant an IHOP on Alabama Avenue located inside The Shops at Park Village.

Another challenge inhibiting local business patronage deals with the business district of Congress Heights itself. Most of the existing businesses on MLK Ave are little mom and pop shops and on the surface some of them don't appear very inviting - at least to a new resident like myself. For example, there is as a Chinese carryout right on MLK Ave (I'm not going to put them on blast but if you are familiar with MLK and Malcolm X then you know which one I am talking about) with the DIRTIEST windows. It's as if that business just gave up washing them years ago. Those dirty windows scream (to me anyway) "purchase your E.Coli eggroll here" and the lack of seating says "give us your money then get the hell out". Needless to say I avoid that place like a bad case of food poisoning. My theory is if you can't keep clean what I can see then you most likely are taking hygienic liberties with the things I can't see. If you don't value me enough as a customer to provide an enjoyable customer experience (such as sitting down and eating my dinner in a clean and friendly establishment) then I will travel elsewhere for my crispy shredded beef (and I love my crispy shredded beef).

Other businesses on MLK while hygienic and well maintained aren't always the most clear in terms of what services and products they offer or when they offer them (I've gone to one local shop 3 times and each time they were closed). Visually appealing storefronts go a long way in attracting customers and most of the storefronts on MLK in Congress Heights are in need of an update if not an extreme makeover. However, you can't judge a book by it's cover and my thoughts are that many of these small, local businesses may just not have the resources (or the know how) to renovate their storefronts or invest in modern technology such as websites. It also got me to thinking that local advertising is somewhat limited in our community, especially online where most of us Generation Wireless folks get our information. With the mass influx of urban professionals into the Ward this is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to expand their customer base and create life long and loyal clientele.

With that in mind I decided to create a special place on CHOTR - The River East Business Directory. My thought would be that by providing a somewhat centralized place online for local, River East businesses (including home based businesses)- to advertise would encourage new residents (such as myself) and long term residents to at least try their services and products. All it takes is that first wonderful experience by a customer to keep them coming back.

In addition to the River East Business Directory page which can be found on this blog (access by clicking the River East Business Directory photo in the sidebar) I am including a special place on the sidebar for the names (and websites if available) for businesses and business professionals in the local business directory. There is also the Congress Heights on the Rise Community Connection a place for neighbors and community organizations to post information on community events and commerce (such as classifieds).

To be included your business in the CHOTR River East Business Directory you must:

If you meet these requirements and are interested in being added to the CHOTR River East Business Directory please submit a short description of your business/service including location and hours to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com. To ensure the directory remains up to date and with legitimate businesses and business opportunities there is a nominal monthly subscription fee. A special reduced subscription fee is available for small/independent businesses. Each month a directory member will be highlighted on CHOTR. To learn more the River East Business Directory including other CHOTR advertising opportunities send an email to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com.

In addition to staying abreast of local businesses customers and clients are encouraged to post their feedback with vendors (or make suggestions for local businesses who should be added) on the CHOTR River East Business Directory page. Click HERE or click the River East Business Directory photo on the sidebar to access the directory and leave a comment/feedback.

Local businesses and business professionals are important to the growth and progress of our community therefore I will be working to present more information from local businesses and service providers on the blog. Hopefully next time someone asks me where to get their nails done I can recommend the lovely nail shop on the corner. :)