Acacia Bistro’s owner was awarded a $40,000 Great Streets small business grant in March. Uzay Turker got a chance to personally thank the mayor a few weeks later.
This city grant program supports improving existing small retail businesses. The latest recipients were recognized at an April 19th event hosted by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner at Crossfit Petworth (1240 Upshur Street). More than 100 people gathered to hear the mayor congratulate the recipients of the Great Streets grants as well as fledgling business improvement districts awarded new Emerging Business District Demonstration Grants.
Acacia Bistro is the second business at Van Ness to receive such a grant. Mark Furstenberg’s Bread Furst received such a grant last year and used some of the funds to create its outdoor café. Acacia’s Turker has been working with designers to make interior and exterior improvements including new signage. Improvements will be completed by the end of August.