Q&A Round Two: Office Hours with CHAMPS

image uploaded by tbridge on Flickr

Earlier this week, we attended office hours with CHAMPS and asked questions that you, the reader, sent us on a wide range of business and community-related topics.

Now, we end our Q&A series with Julia Christian, Executive Director of CHAMPS, asking her a final round of questions on retail growth and restaurant openings.

In this Q&A, we also learn where to buy local apples, and just what’s in store for this year’s Hilly Awards.

If you have Capitol Hill business-related questions, or would like to learn more about CHAMPS you can find Julia on Twitter @capitolhilldc or by email.

Q: Where can I buy local apples, or at least apples from the US? Everything is from Chile! (submitted by Twitter user @EricDCSE)

A: My first thought would be to look at Eastern Market, or check other nearby farmer’s markets. They may have what you’re looking for.

Q: Why is there no sushi joint on Barracks Row? We need one! Anything in the works? (submitted by Twitter user @jnwilkie)

A: Well right now, there’s Sticky Rice on H Street, and there should be a new sushi-style restaurant opening soon on Barracks Row — Nooshi and Tash will be opening in the old Chateau-Animaux space, but we don’t know an exact date for the opening yet. Also, another new H Street addition will be Hikari Sushi & Sake Bar which is planning to open at 644 H Street, NE, so plenty of new sushi places to come soon.

Q:Is there any progress to report on attracting new retail, not just restaurants, to Barracks Row? (submitted by THIH commenter Maggie)

A: There is progress but we still can do more.

We work everyday with new business owners that want to move and expand on the Hill, and really what it boils down to is looking at creating a master inventory of businesses. It helps us to know who has moved in and what types of foot traffic and clientele they cater to specifically. So when someone comes to me with a request for a new business, I can show them actual, hard data which shows information block-by-block.

Better data will lead to informed decision-making and greater diversity in business growth. Information is part of a retail recruitment and retention strategy. We have applied for a city grant that would fund data collection, but we have not been successful so far. It’s possible that we could rely on volunteers to collect the data, but better information goes a long way towards attracting new retail.

Data can also inform policy made by lawmakers. If we have the ability to identify opportunities for particular retail, in particular areas, then we can create actual, hard incentives for them to compete and move-in.

Q: Are the Hilly Awards going to be better than last year? (Submitted by Twitter user @jnwilkie)

A: First off, each year the Hilly Awards are better than the year before, even though that may be hard to believe.

I’d say the level of production will be better this year, and this will be increased by having the event located at a professional theater, the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

There will be new opportunities for promoting and highlighting local businesses. We’re working with a number of local chefs this year. The date for this year’s Hilly Awards is Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. And, if you’re wondering why we are hosting it on Sunday, there’s a good reason. We will let you know soon.