Mayor Officiates a Marathon of Grand Openings in Shaw

There was a marathon Monday morning in Shaw… with so many winners that the ribbon had to be broken seven times!  What kind of marathon is this?!  A marathon of ribbon cuttings.  It’s a business boom.

“Back when we started in 2003, we’d be happy if we had a handful of openings to celebrate each year,” laughs Alexander M. Padro, executive director of the non-profit Shaw Main Streets, the host of Monday’s marathon ribbon cuttings in the neighborhood.  “Now, they’re coming so fast that the only way we can schedule ribbon cuttings is three, five, or seven at a time.”

Shaw Main Streets hosted Mayor Vincent C. Gray to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening of seven new businesses, including new African, Italian, and seafood restaurants, a muffin shop, a salon, and a Starbucks, Monday morning.  The community event invited the public to join in on the celebration, sampling food and beverage offerings.

At 10:30 AM, the sprint started at the Cambria Suites, a 180-room all suites hotel that is part of the City Market at O development, continued on to the its new next door neighbor, Starbucks, and then jogged on to the  Uprising Muffin Company, Fishnet’s first DC location, Wanda’s on 7th (salon), dashed on to Prince Makey’s Appioo African Bar and Grill, and finally finished at Dino’s Grotto, where chef/owner Dean Gold and his team had lunch ready for those who kept up the pace.

“Seven new businesses, combined with another eight openings earlier in the year, means that we’re ahead of schedule in our race to open at least 20 new businesses in central Shaw this year,” said Padro.

*Lead image, Mayor Vincent Gray cuts the Grand Opening ribbon with Dean Gold at Dino’s Grotto in Shaw.  Photo credit David Ansell