Metro Mutts, courtesy of Metro Mutts
Don’t Tell the Shop Owner You Will Just ‘Get It Online’ This happens all the time in local businesses. Really love that doodad but don’t feel like buying it today? Don’t stick a knife in the shop owner’s heart by saying you’ll just get it online later. You would be shocked at how frequently people say this. I have seen people order items from their phones while in the store. It’s one thing not to support a small business, but this is an unnecessary level of cluelessness. Sure, the shop owners are frequently cheerful and do actually enjoy helping you find what you are looking for, but they are not martyrs. If they legitimately don’t have what you are looking for and can’t help you in a timely fashion, they understand you will look elsewhere. But telling them you’ll just get that item there on the shelf on Overstock is not very nice.
If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say… or Just Say No to Yelp I’m not asking you to keep opinions to yourself or refrain from telling managers about a negative product or experience, but try to avoid taking your vengeance to the Internet as your first attempt at justice. This goes for all businesses including service enterprises such as restaurants, salons, and dog walkers. Sometimes people are tired, had an argument with a loved one, got a parking ticket, or
have a terrible headache. Occasionally things go wrong, and when you are small business these small things can have a large impact. Some of these businesses can’t afford to pay to have more than one employee at a time, or maybe someone called in sick and that may require a briefly locked door should nature call. Instead of an online screed that can never be removed, try to give the business a heads-up. Before you take to their Facebook page, allow them to apologize, explain, and perhaps make it up to you in some way. Before you Yelp, know that the website wants businesses to pay them to boost their online profile and erase negative reviews, and most small businesses choose to spend their few marketing dollars elsewhere. These are challenging times for retail. Unlike restaurant, salon, and other personal care businesses, which are far less affected by online commerce, small businesses make up an important part of this community, and I’d like to see them stick around. I hope that many of you do too.
Rumor Has It
ANTIQUES & INTERIORS
10 % -30 % ANNUAL
INVENTORY SALE
I ncludes all furnIture and upholstery
507 11TH ST SE WASHINGTON, DC 20003 (202) 546-5466
For Sale $659,000 • 301 G Street NE #13
Speaking of retail killed by Amazon, bookstores are supposedly making a comeback. Northwest added a new shop last year, and the Hill may soon be getting a new, first-run bookshop to join our excellent used book stores Riverby and Capitol Hill Books. Location, name, and pretty much everything else are TBD at the moment, but I’ll let you know soon. Jen DeMayo has been a waitress, an actor, and a puppeteer. She worked for many years for the Atlas Performing Arts Center, which has resulted in her being a relentless H Street booster/ streetcar apologist. Originally from the New YorkNew Jersey area, she is one of the many who whine endlessly about DC’s lack of good bagels and pizza. She is mom to two boys who attend DCPS (off the Hill). No matter what she may end up accomplishing in her life, she is sure that her obituary headline will say she was the founder of Moms on the Hill. Contact Jen atjendemayo@ gmail.com. u
Most Unique Capitol Hill Condo
Large one bedroom suite with library, full bath & hideaway loft. Hall full bath. Second loft that could be 2nd bedroom. Fireplace in living room, turreted dining room, gourmet kitchen. Giant size windows plus tall, tall ceilings. Close to Union Station, Metro & Giant. Shown by apptmt. MRIS# DC9531047.
Call your Realtor!
Joel N. Martin
202-274-1882 office daily 202-498-1065 cell 202-333-1468 fax 202-338-8900 main office
Licensed in DC, MD & VA Since 1986 “honesty, integrity, service & market knowledge”
February 2016 H 51