Let’s Support the Wharf Merchants

On March 11, 2020, our editors were at The Grill enjoying drinks at its classic Miami-style bar, preparing to watch some NBA action when the game was suddenly canceled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after, almost every business at the Wharf was shut down for some period of time. We all know the rest of the story, but a special shout-out is due to those merchants at the Wharf who found ways to keep the lights on and continue to serve the community.

The vast majority of businesses at The Wharf are small or family-owned and rely on us, the local residents and visitors, to succeed. When considering how to spend on food, entertainment, and retail, please keep it local if you can. As we near June 11, 2021, the date when DC is scheduled to re-open at 100% capacity, we say to all, welcome back!

In the meantime, we want to extend a special thank you to the Wharf businesses that made a positive difference during the pandemic. Several merchants used their resources to help provide relief to others during the public health crisis. There are several heroes at the Wharf who were there for those in need. Below is a recap:

I.M.P. Director of Communication Audrey Schaefer

I.M.P., which operates the Anthem, took a leadership role in the National Independent Venue Association, a lobbying group dedicated to securing emergency relief for the thousands of small music venues across the country, that employ tens of millions of workers. I.M.P.’s communications director (and resident badass) Audrey Fix Schaefer is one of the key players who led the effort and helped to popularize #SaveOurStages campaign. The success of the campaign is helping Wharf venues such as Anthem, Union Stage, and Pearl Street Warehouse in addition to thousands more across the country. Their work is not done though, for more information, check out #SaveOurStages.
The team at KNEAD Hospitality & Design, which owns Mi Vida, The Grill, and the forthcoming Bistro du Jour, launched the Restaurant Relief Program in mid-March, 2020, to ensure the out-of-work people in the service industry have access to free meals, fresh produce, and supplies.
Kirwan’s dedicated its time to feeding first responders, healthcare workers, and even the Humane Society. Owner, Mark Kirwan, who is a Metropolitan Police officer, understands public service and taking care of the people who take care of us.
A Beautiful Closet, created and delivered care packages for healthcare workers in the DC area. Owner Pamela Sofola is currently preparing 215 care packages to be delivered to Georgetown University Hospital.
Grazie Grazie partnered with B&A, an information technology company, to provide meals to local hospital healthcare workers. The partnership is working with the Hope for Henry Foundation to identify local hospitals that can benefit from the meals program.
The Press DC at the Wharf, the dry cleaning and laundry business, has put its tailoring services to work in order to provide masks for the community. The company has donated more than 3,000 masks to first responders, essential employees, shoppers for the elderly, and anyone in need of masks. Recently The Press DC made a delivery of masks to The Children’s Hospital.