The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) teamed up with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) to provide $100,000 in relief funding to 30 businesses as part of their “Love Local” campaign. Funds are allocated evenly across the eligible National Landing establishments to help cover necessary operator-related expenses including rent and employee wages.
“Our small businesses are essential to the vibrancy and vitality of the community, and we’re thankful to partner with RAMW to introduce the ‘Love Local’ program during a time of critical need,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President and Executive Director of National Landing BID. “Seeing firsthand the challenges our retailers here in National Landing continue to face during this time of recovery, it is essential that we support and uplift their efforts in every way we can.”
“Love Local” has offered a much-needed boost to the businesses involved in the program and enabled many to stay afloat or expand their offerings. “I’m incredibly appreciative of the support we’ve received from the BID and Restaurant Association of Metro Washington,” said Rhoda Wheeler, the owner of local retailer Agents of Style Luxury Consignment Boutique. “The funds came at a really great time and covered an entire month’s rent, which will allow us to keep going.”
Nineteen of the establishments receiving “Love Local” aid are restaurants, as the food and hospitality sector was hit particularly hard by the impacts of the pandemic. “National Landing is small business oriented and this funding is going to be so helpful in revamping our menu, allowing us to bring additional fun stuff to the park,” said Giuseppe Lanzone, Co-Founder & CEO of Peruvian Brothers, which operates in the Crystal City Water Park. “With all of the new shops and restaurants, as well as Amazon coming in, National Landing is going to be a prime destination in the DMV.”
The full list of businesses participating in the “Love Local” program includes: Agents In Style Luxury Consignment Boutique, Asia Bistro, Burn & Brew, CC2 LLC – High Line, Cold Stone Creamery, Commonwealth Joe, Coqui Boutique, Crystal City Sports Pub, Crystal City Wine Shop, Enjera Restaurant, Flowers With Love, Freddie’s Beach Bar, Garden Fantasy, La Bettola Italiano, Mind Your Body Oasis, Pentagon City Wine Merchant, Peruvian Brothers, Potomac Social Tavern, Pure Barre Pentagon City, Real Jewelers, Ristorante Portofino, Saigon Saigon, Schakolad Chocolate Factory, Ship’s Hatch, Subways #51334 and #55931 and Crystal City, Taj of India, Total Party – Party, Costumes & Novelties and Universal Gourmet 3.
Over the course of the pandemic and ongoing recovery, both the National Landing BID and RAMW have prioritized and recognized the importance of our region’s restaurants and small businesses. Together, they remain committed to driving the economic recovery of the retail, hospitality and tourism industries. Both parties are actively involved with Hook Hall Helps, an ongoing relief program that provides free meals and supply bags to industry workers in need. Last spring, the National Landing BID executed a small business grant program in partnership with Arlington County, providing relief funds to more than 70 local retailers and restaurants in need.
To learn more about this program, visit www.nationallanding.org/