I will never forget the first time I met Elizabeth Todd. My team had told me that this woman from The Old Town Boutique District (OTBD) had stopped in to talk to me. She left her name and contact info. Needless to say, it was Elizabeth, Old Town’s one-woman welcome wagon. For some reason, I felt the need to go to her store rather than call or email, not sure why because face-to-face meetings with strangers are hard for me. She was behind the counter of her little store on South Royal and I walked right up and introduced myself. Then started asking questions and throwing out all my direct mail jargon thinking I somehow knew something she didn’t. As would become a consistent theme in our relationship, I did not. We were both from the world of direct mail and marketing, so we were immediately speaking each other’s language. I joined the OTBD and quickly weaseled my way into a leadership position helping her manage the marketing of the organization for 10 years. Eventually, others signed on to a board and we collectively marketed our businesses regionally because we felt no one else was doing it for us. If it were not for the marketing we did, the relationships I built, and the exposure my business received Red Barn Mercantile would not be celebrating 16 years in business this year and Penny Post would never have been born. 

After my service with the OTBD, I joined the board of Old Town Business (OTB). And, once again, I was glad I did. If it were not for the work of Old Town Business, the City of Alexandria, and Visit Alexandria, we would have seen more business casualties during the pandemic. OTB created safe and socially distanced events to increase sales and engagement, partnered with the city on the closing of the 100 block of King Street, advocated for outdoor dining, and got more than 700 restaurant and retail employees vaccinated as soon as possible. I’ll never forget that day either. I was at the makeshift clinic watching as my team, who had worked so hard and risked their lives to keep the businesses open, marched through the vaccine process. After getting our vaccines I looked at Kathy, our fearless Red Barn Mercantile leader, and burst into tears. We had made it to safe shores. My team would not die. Old Town Business made that possible no one else would have.

I have always believed that rising tides raise all boats. When we work together, we can build something amazing that allows us all to succeed. That’s why I volunteer and that’s why I, and many others like me, serve this community. Just like The Old Town Boutique District, Old Town Business is a volunteer-run organization with one paid staff person. Old Town Business has stewarded this business community for 40-plus years as a volunteer organization, but the lessons from the pandemic have shown us that we can no longer just be volunteer-run. It’s time to have a paid staff and a real budget. We are just scratching at the surface of what we can do for Old Town. There are more fun events like the Cookie Crawl, Walkable Warehouse Sale, or Oyster Fest that bring customers to our doors and give Stylebook Readers something fun to do. There are more ways we can advocate for our small business community and support them through shared services like affordable health care or reduced rate garage parking for employees. There are more ways we can make Old Town cleaner, more walkable, and more pleasant to visit. But we can’t do those things as a volunteer organization on a shoestring budget. It’s time to bring in the professionals and turn Old Town Business into a Business Improvement Service District (BISD). One where we all participate, and reap the rewards.

BISDs are defined areas in a city or county in which commercial property owners pay an additional, annual special tax (on top of the standard real property taxes) which is utilized to promote and improve the business environment within the BISD. BISDs are typically governed by a dedicated board of directors and led by an executive director and key staff. BISDs organize and manage services, activities, and events in the BISD, as well as arrange amenities above and beyond what a city or county would typically provide. Georgetown has a BISD. If you’ve ever been to their French Market or Glow during the holidays, then you’ve seen their work. Golden Triangle has a BISD. If you’ve ever seen their ambassadors in yellow vests cleaning the streets or directing visitors, then you’ve seen them at work. There are 11 BISDs in DC and at least four in Arlington. An unknown number in Fairfax County. Alexandria is the only municipality without one, which leaves us at an extreme disadvantage. But, we can close that gap.

Next Tuesday I will share with you why we need a BISD, what it will do, and what the benefits are for Old Town, our community, and you. Oh, and how we make it happen. In the meantime, please visit Old Town Business’s website to learn more about the BISD and see who supports the effort.