Georgetown BID: Season of Strong Leasing Activity, Return of Signature Events
By • April 12, 2023 0 802
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There’s no denying the renewed energy and attention surrounding Georgetown lately, and we’re riding that momentum into the spring with the strongest leasing velocity we’ve seen in years. More than a dozen new businesses have opened since January; most recently, Villa Yara, Khin Sushi, Scotch & Soda, Maman, Taichi Bubble Tea, Alkova, and Shouk. Anticipated spring and early summer openings include DIG, AWAY Travel, Studs, Kyojin, District Doughnut, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. (Start working up the courage to try the latter’s Hidden Valley Ranch flavor.) You can learn more about the state of Georgetown’s retail by reading our 2022 Retail in Review report.
In addition to our increasing economic development activity, the Georgetown BID has a full slate of commercial district initiatives and events.
The 20th annual Georgetown French Market returns to Book Hill April 28-30. More than 35 neighborhood boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries will display their discounted items for up to 75 percent off at the open-air market, in addition to food and drink specials featuring French cuisine and beyond. That Saturday and Sunday, you can also enjoy live music, strolling stiltwalkers and hula hoopers, pop-up flower and book sales, and more. This is one of the most important weekends of the year for our small businesses and we hope to see you there.
The following week, Georgetown Heritage’s C&O Canal boat will return for a second season. Georgetown Heritage debuted the new Canal boat last April, welcoming visitors aboard for the first time in more than a decade. Beginning May 5, public boat rides will be available four times a day, Wednesday – Sunday, offering one-hour guided historical tours along the first mile of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Visitors will learn about the fascinating history, technology and culture of the Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked, and played here over the past two centuries. Canal boat tickets and private charters can be purchased at georgetownheritage.org/boat.
If you’re interested in supporting Georgetown Heritage’s mission to revitalize the Canal, you can also purchase tickets to sponsor or attend All Aboard the Spring Soiree on May 4. This fundraising gala will feature special guest speakers, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music along the Canal, and is a unique opportunity to mingle with your neighbors while learning more about the future of a national park site in your own backyard. Contributions from the Georgetown community provide crucial funding for organizational operations and programming, and we appreciate your continued support. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at georgetownheritage.org/events.
All Aboard the Spring Soiree is May 4.
Wrapping up our spring events line-up, on May 19 the BID is hosting a Bike to Work Day pit stop at Georgetown Waterfront Park. Stop by from 7 am – 9 am for free refreshments and giveaways, and celebrate biking as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work (or just back to your home office.)
Whether it’s biking, or another mode of transportation, the Georgetown BID is actively working to ensure visitors, residents and employees alike are spending more time in Georgetown – and less time coming and going. The Georgetown Transportation Access & Circulation study is underway with DDOT, with the goal of making Georgetown’s streets and sidewalks safer, more accessible, and less congested while maintaining the historic character of the neighborhood. You can learn more about the study at a public meeting in late May. (The date will be announced shortly and well advertised.)
As the weather warms up, our Placemaking and Streetscape teams are making plaza upgrades at 33rd Street, and planting additional trees at Canal Overlook. New this season, Georgetown BID’s Public Space Manager and Certified Arborist, Matt Millage, is also offering free horticultural walking tours around Georgetown. After two successful spring bloom tours, more are in the works for this summer.
Stay up-to-date on future tours — and the rest of our commercial district’s latest news and events — by visiting georgetowndc.com, following us on social media, and subscribing to our weekly BIDness newsletter.
