Sign up for our free newsletter
The first ever Local First Awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 9, and many news-making food businesses are finalists, including three home-grown fast casual chains on the path to continued expansion: CAVA, &pizza, and Sweetgreen. Thirty-five D.C. businesses are in the running to take home an award across seven creative categories. (The full list is below.)
Think Local First DC, an organization committed to the long-term success of local businesses, is putting on the event inside Blind Whino in Southwest D.C. (You can’t miss it—just look for Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in building form.) It’s open to the public and will feature an open bar, food pop-ups, local beer, art installations, a “Made in DC” market, and more. VIP tickets ($149) get you in for the 7 p.m. awards program. General admission ($69) starts at 8 p.m. for the after party and dancing. The purchase of any ticket comes with a Think Local First annual membership.
Key leadership at Think Local First DC includes Andy Shallal of Busyboys and Poets, Keith Sellars of Washington, DC Economic Partnership, Michael Babin of Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Nizam Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Mari Rodela of DC Brau.
Here are your 2017 finalists as determined by a panel of judges comprised of local business and community leaders, artists, journalists, and D.C. residents:
DC Maker Award—a local business, entrepreneur, or artist who designs, makes, produces, and/or assembles a product in the District of Columbia that makes an impact:
Bailiwick Clothing
Cherry Blossom Creative
Hunny Bunny Boutique
Turning Natural
Ripple Effect—A business that supports the local economy by purchasing supplies and services from other local businesses, creating a “ripple effect” as money circulates within the local community:
CAVA
Glen’s Garden Market
Mess Hall
Paul Ruppert Restaurants and Upshur Street Books
Steadfast Supply
High Road—A model employer who puts their people first by providing quality jobs, fostering a positive work environment, and championing beneficial business practices:
&Pizza
Comet Ping Pong
Love ’n Faith Community Cafe
The Potter’s House
Green Thumb—An environmental champion who works to improve the local community through sustainable practices, products, or services. This local business or individual significantly reduces waste or consumption, creates green products, and/or provides green services:
Atlas Brew Works
Compost Cab
Love and Carrots
Misfit Juicery
Builder—A local community developer, investor, or lender with deep roots in the community and known for positive investments in D.C.’s people, culture, and future:
Cultivate Ventures
City First Bank
Industrial Bank
Menkiti Group
PN Hoffman
Pioneer—A local business, entrepreneur, or artist who inspires with a creative new idea, product, perspective, model, and/or solution:
Check It Enterprises
Kelly Towles
Politics and Prose
Takoma Wellness Center
Tightshift Laboring Cooperative
Community Champion—A local business owner who makes a significant and noticeable impact in the community across a range of categories:
Lee’s Flower and Card Shop
Sweetgreen
Yes! Organic Market
Cureate Connect