Say hello to BOSS, now live and ready to support DC entrepreneurs with a simpler, clearer experience. Start now at boss.dc.gov.
Afghan Chai brings authentic Afghan chai and heartfelt family tradition to the Dupont Circle community. Owned and operated by three siblings — Mirwais Mahmoud, Zaki Mahmoud, and Deeba Mahmoud — their story is rooted in heritage, resilience, and the flavors their mother perfected over decades.
DLCP introduces BOSS, a new platform that will reshape how businesses complete licensing and registration tasks. Designed to bring multiple services into one place, BOSS will offer a more modern, straightforward way for customers to manage their interactions with the agency. The system is expected to debut August 2026, marking a major advancement in how business processes are organized and accessed.
Urban Garden Brewing is one of DC’s pioneering Black owned craft beer brands — a space where culture, community, and connection shape every part of the experience. More than a brewery, it is a gathering place where craft beverages, soulful food, art, and heritage live under one roof.
For more than 40 years, Da Hsin Trading Inc. has been a cornerstone of Washington, DC’s Chinatown — a small business where cultural identity, family legacy, and traditional herbal medicine continue to thrive.
Architecture Month is a time to honor the designers who shape the spaces where we live, work, and connect. And in Washington, DC, chances are you’ve already been touched by the work of Ronnie McGhee—whether you’ve walked through a building he restored, visited a landmark he helped preserve, or experienced a space designed by one of the many architects he has taught and mentored over the years.
Femme Fatale DC has been part of the District’s creative and entrepreneurial landscape since 2016. Located at 3409 Connecticut Avenue NW, the shop is known for its eclectic atmosphere, its mix of timeless and expressive pieces, and its mission to uplift women in business. Co‑owners Adriana Mendoza and Cee Smith have shaped the space into a welcoming environment where women can shop, explore ideas, and build confidence.
This February, in honor of Black History Month, DLCP is proud to spotlight Civic on Eighth, a newly opened neighborhood coffee salon already becoming a gathering place for connection and culture in DC. Located at 501 8th St SE, the shop opened on January 29 and represents a new chapter in the long-standing Black-owned legacy of the block. Civic on Eighth is the vision of business owner and longtime political strategist Rhonda Foxx, who stepped into the hospitality world for the first time with a mission rooted in representation, community, and belonging.
With Winter Restaurant Week now in full swing in the District, the city’s culinary community is experiencing one of the most impactful weeks of the year. Running January 19 to 25, 2026, the annual celebration brings diners into restaurants during a traditionally slow season, and according to Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), its importance goes far beyond special menus and reservations.
The holiday season in Washington, DC is more than lights and celebrations; it is also a time to support the small businesses that bring creativity, culture, and community to the city. The DowntownDC Holiday Market, located on F Street NW near Gallery Place–Chinatown between 7th and 9th Streets NW, is open now through December 23. With 119 small businesses, 15 food vendors, and live entertainment, the market has become a family friendly destination for shopping and seasonal cheer.
