Longtime Forest Hills Connection readers know how much our editor Marlene loves to walk, and how much we love local businesses. In 2012, Marlene combined the two into a “shop-local workout,” a guide to walking off Thanksgiving dinner and getting the holiday shopping done at the same time.
Since the 2017 update, we’ve lost Terasol Bistro and Wake Up Little Suzie, but the rest of the guide is full of great destinations on Small Business Saturday and great gift ideas year-round.
Speaking of great destinations and gifts…
The Van Ness Main Street Holiday Pop-Up Shop opens Saturday, Nov. 24
For three consecutive weekends after Thanksgiving, Van Ness Main Street is hosting a holiday pop-up market with local makers, artists and designers.
A rotating lineup of exhibitors will sell a variety of Made-in-DC crafts, jewelry, pottery and food and beverages. Olde City Farm Garden will sell Christmas trees and other holiday greenery, and Ibhana Boutique will be open on Saturdays and Sundays instead of its normal Friday and Saturday hours.
In addition, Acacia Bistro is selling drinks and treats so you can sip and snack while you shop. Bread Furst is hosting a cookie-decorating event (December 1, 1-3 p.m.). Carolers and Santa Claus make special appearances. See the full lineup, schedule and links at VanNessMainStreet.org.
There’s reason to return on December 15-16 as well. This will be the Ibhana Boutique pop-up’s last weekend at 4340 Connecticut. It’s holding a 50%-off blowout sale. And Olde City Farm & Garden will continue selling Christmas Trees and other holiday décor.
Don’t forget: November 24th, the first day of the Van Ness Holiday Pop-Up Market, is “Small Business Saturday.” Be sure to support the local makers, artists and small business owners that make our city and neighborhood so great! – by Katherine Saltzman
Tenley WinterFest starts Friday, Nov. 23
DC’s only Yeti-themed winter celebration is in Tenleytown! The seventh annual Tenley WinterFest launches Friday, November 23rd and ends Saturday, December 1st with the Winter Market at Janney Elementary. In between, you’ll find Small Business Saturday specials, daily retail and restaurant deals, a historical tour, caroling, the Yeti scavenger hunt and much, much more.
“When we shop local businesses, everyone benefits,” said Tenleytown Main Street Executive Director Leigh Catherine Miles. We couldn’t agree more.
Find details at tenleywinterfest.org.
Artisans market in Cleveland Park, Saturdays in December
The Cleveland Park Business Association is hosting the first-ever Cleveland Park Holiday Artisans Market during the first four Saturdays in December. They’ll be setting up shop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cleveland Park farmers market outside the Uptown Theater.
Vendors will be selling hand-crafted soaps, stationary, jewelry, glassware, ceramics, food and more. Learn more about the artisans at cpbiz.org.
Correction: The original version of the Tenley WinterFest section referred to Leigh Catherine Miles as the Van Ness Main Street executive director. She’s actually doing great work as the executive director of Tenleytown Main Street. Forest Hills Connection regrets the error and encourages everyone to hunt those yetis!.