Carey Business School

CITY LAB- Fall 2014

Urban Immersion Field Notes
(Updated December)
Anna Dukes

Union Market
1309 5th Street, NE

- Year round indoor market

featuring forty local artisans
opened in 2012
- A renovation of the old Farmers
Market

- 40 acre area containing both

wholesale and retail merchants
and a weekend farmers market
Florida Avenue
Market

Big Bear Cafe

1700 1st St NW.

- Open on its present site since

1931 originally known as the
Union Terminal Market

Big Bear caf is one of the first

community driven coffee shops
in Ward 5. This small coffee
shop is an ideal gathering spot
for Ward 5 community
members

My first experience with Union Market was in the

evening, not a time I would normally head to
that area of town. Once I parked and walked
into Union Market, I was welcomed with shiny
new restaurants and a booming scene of young
professionals sipping wine and eating gourmet
foods. Yet another reminder that this area has
changed and is catering to young business
professionals.

The area surrounding Union Market is a blatant

reminder of Ward 5s past. Dingy warehouses
selling numerous odds and ends still line 5th
street. The area should focus on bringing more
likeminded businesses to compliment Union
Market. An impact investing outreach would be
beneficial.

Big Bear Caf is a leader in social value

creation for the Ward 5 community. My
experience with this caf has always been
positive. The coffee shop is filled with a wide
range of community members. Big Bear Caf
should be used as an example for future impact
investing businesses in Ward 5.

Beths New House

303 Adams Street NE

Fairfield Inn and

Suites
2305 New York Ave,
NE

Chocolate City
Brewery
2801 8th Street, NE

- Newly restored home in the NE

corner of DC.
- Close to Chocolate City
Brewery
- Budding community off Rhode
Island Ave

- Owned by Bill Conway of

ShareCon Management

- Established in 2012
- Renovated an old small brick
warehouse

When I first learned that my dear friend Beth

was purchasing a home off Rhode Island Ave.,
I was skeptical. Purchasing a home in this area
is a risk because gentrification is new to the
area. When I first saw her home, I was
surprised how welcoming the area felt. There
were people outside walking their dog and folks
sitting out on their porches.

The Fairfield Inn and Suites are a

quintessential landmark for the District. Once I
see these hotels, I know I am either exiting or
entering the city. The owner of this hotel, Bill
Conway, established one of the first anchor
institutions for Ward 5. His business efforts
have brought much needed jobs to the Ward 5
community.

This was my first stop on the Ward 5 tour. The

brewery is tucked away in a corner off Rhode
Island. Difficult to find and surrounded by a
budding gentrification. The brewery is a great
example of impact investing. The owner was
welcoming and able to give insightful advice on
how the area has changed over the past 2
years.

Ward 5 ANC Meeting

2412 Rand Place NE

Edgewood Civic
Association Meeting
635 Edgewood St NE

Atlas Brew Works

2052 West Virginia Ave
NE #102 City
Chocolate
Brewery
2801 8th Street, NE

- Monthly meeting held at the

Arboretum Community Center

- This meeting consists of

community leaders in the
Edgewood and Eckington
communities

Atlas is a one of the newest

-breweries
Established
to join
in 2012
Ward 5. Across
-from
Renovated
Mount Olive
an oldCemetery,
small brickthis
warehouse
brewery is a destination for true
hops addicts.

Fatima and I arrived at the Ward 5 ANC

Meeting on October 25th, but the meeting was
cancelled at the last minute.

The Edgewood Civic Association consists of a

Board of Directors to Enhance, to educate and
to advocate on behalf of all citizens who live,
work, and are educated or worship within the
Edgewood-Eckington communities boundaries.

Atlas Brew Works is a great addition to Ward 5.

The
visited,
the brewery
was celebrating
This day
wasI my
first stop
on the Ward
5 tour. The
their
anniversary.
About
300
young
brewery is tucked away in a corner off Rhode
professionals
theand
perimeter
of thebybrewery
Island. Difficultlined
to find
surrounded
a
sipping
and listening
a local band
buddingbeer
gentrification.
Thetobrewery
is a great
without
in theinvesting.
world. This
examplea ofcare
impact
Theexperience
owner was
was
eye opening
because
was no
fear.on
welcoming
and able
to givethere
insightful
advice
Everyone
washas
comfortable
their
how the area
changed in
over
the past 2
surroundings
even though this area has a
years.
seedy past.