4 minute read
Business is Booming at Sycamore and Oak
Business is Booming at Sycamore & Oak
By: Kristal Knight
Sycamore & Oak is the outdoor eatery in newly developed St. Elizabeth’s East. The venue sits a few feet away from the Congress Heights Metro station making it easily accessible to patrons near and far. Several new businesses have also opened their doors making commercial availability a reality for residents nearby.
Executive Director of St. Elizabeth’s East Redevelopment, Latrena Owens, said she is excited about the small businesses at the site. “We just opened new kitchen trailers and we are inviting everyone to come and explore the cuisine from our local restaurateurs.”
Business at Sycamore and Oak continued from pg.1 WeFitDC is a multifaceted wellness hotspot at Sycamore & Oak. They have an emphasis on whole body health and community wellness. They have a space where residents can activate their wellness goals and feel empowered along the way. The gym has a team of expert coaches and motivators to engage and empower clients.
Soufside Creative is another store that’s located at the site and is owned and operated by Keyonna Jones. Keyonna is the executive director of Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center and opened the store to give other black entrepreneurs a place to sell their handmade goods. You can purchase anything from candles to art to clothing inside the location at Sycamore & Oak.
Black Bella Spa is a women-owned wellness sanctuary that is run by massage/lymphedema therapist and esthetician Josei Harris. The spa helps community members achieve health and wellness goals through a combination of western technology and traditional eastern techniques, including massage therapy, lymphatic drainage, and detox and contouring treatments.
Two clothing stores are also located at the site: Chris Pyrate and Love More. Love More is headed by Jovan Davis (aka Von) and is inspired by Von’s work as a violence interrupter in the Washington Highlands neighborhood. He sells hoodies, jackets, tee’s and more!
Chris Pyrate is an art-focused streetwear brand created by the D.C.-born visual artist. The brand’s loyal following — which includes countless sports icons and celebrities — is proof that the artist’s signature illustrated patterns and imagery translate beautifully into covetable fashion.
The business incubation is exactly what Owens stated she wanted to see at St. Elizabeth’s East. “This campus is continuously growing and we can only do it with small businesses like the shops at Sycamore & Oak.” She said she hopes people from across the city will stop by to visit and patronize. The site also hosts a lineup of monthly events that visitors can attend while they shop.
