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.
The space sits within a pair of buildings that have been Black‑owned for nearly 47 years. The family that owns the property has operated Chat’s Liquors on Capitol Hill next door for decades, and the adjacent building once housed a floral shop run by the family matriarch. After the passing of the family’s patriarch, his son returned home from college to continue the business and transformed the liquor store into a fine wine and spirits shop known for its education and curated offerings. When the restaurant group that previously occupied the neighboring space moved out, Rhonda saw an opportunity to build something meaningful in a location with deep cultural roots. “When you look at this business and the business next door, it’s not just Black-owned businesses. This is Black-owned property, both buildings, for 47 years,” she said. “I didn’t want to see a non-diverse business come in here. We need to be in these spaces.”
For Rhonda, the timing aligned with a personal crossroads. After spending her entire career in politics, she found herself navigating the same challenges facing many women of color in today’s workforce. “Women of color have fallen out of the job market at an alarming rate,” she said. “I was laid off from a corporate job. I took three years off from politics. Then I worked on a presidential campaign. When we didn’t win, there was no White House job for me. So, I had to ask myself, what now?” With the space sitting empty and the community in need of a place to reconnect, Rhonda decided to create a space that encouraged people to step away from online division and return to real conversation. “All the vitriol and disinformation online really impacted that election. So why not build something that brings people back together? It just made sense.”
Inside Civic, Black history is not a seasonal theme but a daily practice. “Every day is Black History Month for me,” Rhonda said. “Everything I do is steeped in the people whose shoulders we stand on.” The décor reflects that intention. A vintage liquor store sign now hides a fish tank, a nod to the family’s legacy. Floral elements honor Rhonda’s mother, Daisy, and the former florist who once operated in the space. The artwork was created in collaboration with women artists, reflecting full-circle moments in the building’s history. Even the beverage program is rooted in representation, featuring women-owned and women-made wines and spirits, with a special emphasis on women of color. Recently, Civic hosted the first Black woman winemaker in South Africa, now the country’s top winemaker. “That’s what you’ll see here,” Rhonda said. “Conversation, culture, and community.”
Civic on Eighth was designed to feel warm, intentional, and welcoming. Rhonda believes the ambiance sets the tone the moment someone walks through the door. “The furniture, the artwork, the playlist, everything was done with purpose,” she said. She credits her team as the heart of the business. “You don’t just work for Civic. Civic works for you. I’m on the floor with them every day. I don’t pull a salary yet, but I’ve got their back and they’ve got mine.” The community has embraced the space, and Rhonda takes pride in seeing people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities gather there.
Rhonda acknowledges that launching a business in the District comes with its share of complexities, especially for first-time owners. She emphasized the importance of clear guidance and strong partnerships to help small businesses succeed and grow. She also believes resilience is essential. “You’re going to mess up. You’re going to fumble. The question is how you recover. If you have the tenacity to bounce back, recalibrate, and keep going, you can do this.” Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Just do it. Invest in yourself.”
Looking ahead, Rhonda plans to introduce a wine program, a cocktail program, and an event space to meet growing community demand. She also hopes to use Civic to support other women entrepreneurs and foster collaboration among diverse business owners in the neighborhood. “My hope is that we continue this momentum and live up to the expectations of this community,” she said. “This family has offered excellence for 47 years. We want to honor that legacy.”