By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com
After eight months of construction, the Retail Village at Sycamore and Oak in Congress Heights will be ready to host its grand opening in June. Situated on the historic St. Elizabeth campus in Ward 8, the retail village seeks to benefit the surrounding community through healthy living, business development and culture.
Thirteen local Black businesses were chosen for an incubator program at the village and received brick-and-mortar spaces. Sycamore and Oak will also create job opportunities for Congress Height residents.
Previously, the retail village was poised for a grand opening on May 17, but unforeseen circumstances and weather challenges pushed the opening to June.
“When we saw this space, which used to be known as Parcel 15, we saw an opportunity for equitable development in Congress Heights. I’ve worked in Congress Heights for over 10 years in city government, philanthropy and nonprofits, and I’ve constantly heard this question of ‘what about us?’ when it comes to equitable development,” said Dana Hall, program manager for Emerson Collective.
“We thought that Sycamore and Oak would be an answer to that question and show what’s possible for Congress Heights and in urban, Black communities across the country.”
Before construction began, Emerson Collective spearheaded community engagement efforts to inform the development of the property. The process stretched over three years and included community meetings and surveys that gave residents the opportunity to dictate which restaurants, stores and amenities they wanted to see at the retail village.
The all-electric building was designed by David Adjaye, who was the architect for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with sustainability at the forefront. It’s the largest, freestanding structure of its kind in D.C.
As part of the incubator program at Sycamore and Oak, 13 emerging, Black entrepreneurs will receive technical and marketing support.
The retail village will also be home to a Chefs-In-Residence program where food and beverage operators can obtain operational support and mentoring from the José Andrés Group.
“One of the reasons that I was so passionate about having my business here is just equity and access. For the past seven years, I had to leave my community and go into the state of Maryland to transact, and I felt like that was such a disservice to my family and my community,” said Josie Harris, owner of Black Bella and incubator program participant.
“To be able to have things that are in my community– made by us and for us– is just such an invaluable necessity. I honestly believe that this is the way things should be.”
The Retail Village at Sycamore and Oak will also be able to employ more than 100 residents annually as retail ambassadors, maintenance staff and security staff. The goal is to cultivate a pipeline of local employment.
“In the Congress Heights area in Ward 8, we have an array of entrepreneurs who are really at the helm of entrepreneurship and small business in the city. Before having this resource available to me, my business was in Ward 5, but I’m a Ward 8 resident,” said LeGreg Harrison, owner of The Museum and experience manager for Sycamore and Oak.
“Now, we have opportunity in this beautiful space. It offers employment opportunities for the residents and gives me the opportunity to still be an emerging entrepreneur, but I get to do it right where I was raised for 30 years.”
Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.
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