Written by Cassandra Hetherington, Cleveland Park Main Street Manager

When I think about the Cleveland Park Main Street, I don’t immediately think about the traffic or the parking situation or even the actual brick and mortar buildings.

When I think about the Main Street I think about Phuong, owner of Lavish Nail Spa. Phuong spent her first year in America as a new mom and wife with no ability to communicate with her English-speaking neighbors while her husband worked long hours. I marvel at how today she is a small business owner with a good grasp on the English language. 

I also think of how Dan at Atomic Billiards greets nearly each guest by name and asks after their families and pets. I find it heartwarming that some of their clientele have played pool there for decades. I love that Warren at Weygandt Wines was able to recommend the most delicious champagne to me that I’ve ever tasted, something an online store could never have done. And yes the brick and mortar buildings are important too, for without Cracked Eggery, how would I ever run into former colleagues I haven’t seen in years?

When I think about CPMS, I also worry about how hard it is for every business owner today and how there are more challenges ahead. Although I know when we are all on the other side of the Construction Project the whole area will look amazing; but, I worry about what impact the disruption will have on the customers who crave Sue’s Thai cooking at Siam House or just want to say hi to Chef Marco at Byblos.

But mostly, when I think about CPMS, I feel truly grateful for my new job as the Main Street Manager, and that I work alongside others who share my values of care and concern for local small business owners and our D.C. community. 

I invite you to show you care about Cleveland Park too and support our work all year round. Although we provide thousands of dollars yearly to our local business community, it is not enough in the best of times and I would say with the pandemic and upcoming construction that is not this time. 

Will you consider becoming a founding member of Cleveland Park Main Street? Founding members who join at $5/month level between November 30th and December 31st will receive a limited edition neighborhood art print! Join for $20/month or more and we’ll frame the print for you! Check out the other member benefits by clicking here.Â