For Businesses

Georgetown Main Street’s mission is to support small businesses along Wisconsin Avenue. 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Georgetown Main Street Numbers 

319

small businesses  

~$387,000

Grants awarded SINCE 2018

11

blocks of coverage

~33,000

ATTENDEES at GMS events IN 2025

28

new small businesses in 2025 

~$96,000

FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT IN 2025

“Small grant programs like [the one from Georgetown Main Street] play a crucial role in supporting local businesses. For many small business owners, access to extra funding can make all the difference when it comes to investing in necessary improvements. These grants not only provide financial relief but also empower business owners to take strategic steps toward long-term growth and sustainability. We are incredibly grateful for programs that recognize the value of small businesses and help us continue to serve our communities.”

- Alison Alleva, Georgetown Massage & Bodywork 

Explore GMS Programs

  • Status: Open — ongoing

    Request a social media feature or technical assistance for your business. Whether you need help with promotion or support with day-to-day operations, complete the form below and GMS will follow up within a few business days to coordinate next steps. Open to any business in the corridor. Complete the request form.

  • Status: Closed — next window January/February 2027

    Support for Georgetown businesses looking to fund a specific project, from equipment upgrades to storefront improvements. Grants of up to $5,000 per business, drawn from a $40,000 annual fund. Applications open in January/February each year. Sign up below to be notified when the next cycle opens.

    Small Business Recipients for 2026:

    Mane Street DC LLC | 1508 Wisconsin Ave NW

    The Phoenix | 1514 Wisconsin Avenue NW

    Pillar & Post | 1647 Wisconsin Avenue NW

    Oliver Dunn, Moss & Co. | 1657 Wisconsin Ave NW

    Hitched | 1663 Wisconsin Ave NW

    Georgetown Beauty Bar | 1800 Wisconsin Ave NW 

    Caspian Crust | 1826 Wisconsin Ave NW

    Spot of Tea | 3210 Grace St NW

  • Status: Open — rolling applications

    Fast, flexible support for businesses facing unexpected emergency circumstances. Grants of up to $1,000 per business, drawn from a $3,000 fund, reviewed on a rolling basis so help arrives when you need it most. This grant is extremely limited and if offered first-come, first-served. [Apply now]

  • Status: Open — Rolling Application fall 2026

    A partnership with Pedal Retail Advisors to help businesses 1 to 1.5 years out from a lease renewal navigate the negotiation process with confidence. Up to 4 businesses will be selected for this application cycle. [Apply now]

  • Status: Closed

    A cohort-based program bringing together Georgetown business owners and managers to work through shared challenges and build lasting community among the corridor's business leaders. Space is limited to 10 businesses per cohort. 

Find Resources & Referrals

Need a trusted vendor? Looking for guidance on a specific challenge? Start here.

Find Resources for Your Business

Explore resources to help your business grow, stabilize, and thrive.

Resource pages coming soon!

  • Finance & Access to Capital — Funding options and financial tools →

  • Marketing & Online Presence — Get found and get noticed, online and off →

  • Leasing Support & Finding Space in Georgetown — Navigate leases, negotiations, and finding the right space →

  • New to Georgetown –– A guide for businesses just opening their doors in Georgetown.→

Connect with the Georgetown Community 

Coffee & Community

A monthly networking series bringing together Georgetown business owners, managers, and community leaders over coffee and breakfast, featuring a guest speaker. Open to businesses in the Georgetown corridor.

To join an upcoming event, please send us an email.

Join our Digital Community in the GMS Slack Workspace

A space for Georgetown businesses to connect, ask questions, and share information in real time. Membership is limited to businesses in the Georgetown corridor; requests are reviewed before joining. 

Request to join GMS Workspace

Sign up for the GMS Newsletter

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Who Does Georgetown Main Street Support?

  • Georgetown Main Street's vision is a vibrant commercial corridor, so our focus is on independently owned, consumer-facing, brick-and-mortar businesses: retail, restaurants, personal services and similar storefronts. Home-based businesses, professional services, and other non-consumer-facing businesses are outside our mission. Also while love all local and small businesses, our priority are the existing businesses on the corridor and we don’t always have bandwidth to help businesses outside the corridor.

  • No, there is generally no cost for independent businesses to participate in or receive support through GMS programs unless otherwise stated. 

  • The difference between Georgetown Main Street (GMS) and the Georgetown BID comes down to focus: the BID makes Georgetown a good place to do business, keeping the corridor clean, safe, and welcoming, while GMS helps individual businesses thrive within it through grants, resources, and community connections. Both organizations are committed to Georgetown's vitality and work closely together, the BID goes up to the front door, GMS goes through it.

Getting Started in Georgetown

  • Schedule a meeting with GMS and the Georgetown BID to talk through your business and what support is available.

  • Georgetown DC is home to a network of organizations working together to support the community such as the Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG), Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC), Georgetown Heritage, alongside GMS and the Georgetown BID. Visit our About page [link] to learn more about these partner organizations and how they support the neighborhood.

  • GMS doesn't handle business recruiting or space listings. For available spaces in Georgetown, contact the Georgetown BID's Economic Development team or a commercial real estate broker who can help identify the right fit.

  • Pop-up and short-term spaces are rare in Georgetown, most landlords prefer 3, 5, or 10+ year leases, and the contracting involved is often nearly as complex as a full lease. If you'd like to trial a space in Georgetown, try contacting LEAP or working with a commercial real estate broker who can negotiate on your behalf.

Getting My Business Noticed

  • Schedule a meeting with GMS and the Georgetown BID to talk through your business and what support is available.

    • Georgetown businesses can promote an event or special by submitting it through the Georgetown BID's event submission form, which features it on the BID's event calendar and may be included in the BIDness weekly newsletter. Businesses can also email details to GMS for inclusion in the Monthly Community Newsletter.

  • GMS doesn't handle business recruiting or space listings. For available spaces in Georgetown, contact the Georgetown BID's Economic Development team or a commercial real estate broker who can help identify the right fit. Visit the GMS leasing resource page for more help on leasing -> [link]

  • Pop-up and short-term spaces are rare in Georgetown, most landlords prefer 3, 5, or 10+ year leases, and the contracting involved is often nearly as complex as a full lease. If you'd like to trial a space in Georgetown, try contacting LEAP or working with a commercial real estate broker who can negotiate on your behalf.

Getting Involved

  • GMS does not generally organize vending opportunities, since its mission centers on supporting brick-and-mortar businesses along the Georgetown corridor. Occasionally, GMS partners with a third-party organizer to host a market for a specific event. When a vending opportunity is available, it will be listed on that event's page.

  • Yes, Georgetown businesses and outside organizations can sponsor or participate in GMS events like Art All Night and the Georgetown Fall Market. Visit our partner page to view current sponsorship opportunities, or reach out to GMS with questions. Corridor businesses can sign up to participate in specific events by visiting each event's page.

  • Yes, with a few guidelines. Businesses considering opening a space in Georgetown are welcome to attend Coffee & Community once or twice to get a feel for the community. The event's primary purpose is to foster connection among existing Georgetown retail businesses and community leaders in a casual, comfortable setting, so solicitation isn't allowed, and larger businesses are asked to send only one representative.