In the last several years, we’ve all started paying more attention to where our products come from. People don’t want to spend their hard-earned money supporting big-box stores and lining the pockets of corporate bigwigs. They want to invest in their community and the entrepreneurs who make it amazing.
There are dozens of fantastic mom and pop shops in D.C. that are well worth spending your money with. Read on to discover some of the best small businesses in D.C. that you should check out.
Top Local Businesses to Support in Washington, D.C.
Made in DC: Offers a variety of locally made products, supporting Washington, D.C.’s artists and makers with locations in DuPont Circle, The Wharf, and Georgetown.
Frere Branchiaux Candle Co: Founded by three brothers, this company creates small-batch, hand-poured candles along with other home goods such as wick cutters and diffusers.
Ice Cream Jubilee: A beloved local ice cream shop offering unique, rotating flavors made with locally sourced ingredients, with two locations in D.C.
3 Stars Brewing Company: A craft brewery known for its artisan ales, and community-supported beer program, contributing to D.C.’s vibrant craft beer scene.
District Doughnut: Known for its creative doughnuts inspired by the multicultural vibe of D.C., with flavors like pumpkin crème brulee and mocha crunch.
District of Clothing: A local clothing store featuring empowering designs on sweatshirts, hats, and t-shirts, available online and at Made in DC.
Little Wild Things City Farm: An urban farm providing farm-to-table produce, including salad greens and edible flowers, located near Union Market.
7DrumCity: A local music shop offering lessons in various instruments, including drums, guitar, and voice, as well as virtual classes during the pandemic.
DC Brau: A D.C. brewery that helped launch the city’s craft beer scene, offering curbside pickup and delivery of their specialty brews.
Gordy’s Pickle Jar: Specializes in locally made pickles, preserves, and relishes using organic, seasonal ingredients sourced in D.C.
Compass Coffee: A coffee shop founded by two former Marines offering signature blends and custom drinks, with several locations across D.C.
Harper Macaw: A chocolate factory and café dedicated to producing high-quality chocolates and supporting tropical reforestation efforts.
Mason Dixie Biscuit Co: Known for its Southern-inspired menu, including fried chicken sandwiches and cheddar grits, with products available nationwide.
Scout Bags: A local company offering functional, durable, and affordable bags with seasonal patterns, available both in stores and online.
Our List of D.C. Mom & Pop Shops
1. Made in DC
As the name suggests, Made in DC offers a variety of products that were made right here in the district. They have brick-and-mortar locations on DuPont Circle, The Wharf, and in Georgetown. You can support local artists and makers, as well as a small business focused on investing in a thriving local economy.
2. Frere Branchiaux Candle Co
Frere Branchiaux Candle Company is the brainchild of brothers Austin, Collin, and Ryan. The company sells small-batch, hand-poured candles that are made in Washington, D.C. They also have a variety of other home goods, including candle snuffers, wick cutters, diffusers, room sprayers, and even bath salts.
3. Ice Cream Jubilee
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a sweet treat in the District, look no further than Ice Cream Jubilee. The company has two locations on U Street and in Capitol Riverfront and has a rotating menu of locally made flavors. Ice Cream Jubilee’s fall 2021 flavors include apple butter oatmeal cookie, maple rye pecan, and pumpkin honeycomb.
4. 3 Stars Brewing Company
3 Stars Brewing Company is a fantastic craft brewer located in the hearth of D.C. It was founded by lifelong friends Mike McGarvey and Dave Coleman and hand-crafts artisan ales that are a favorite among the D.C. craft beer community. They even have a community-supported beer program that works to get their products out into the community.
5. District Doughnut
While you’re on your foodie tour of Washington, D.C., you won’t want to miss District Doughnut. This business takes inspiration from the thriving multicultural vibe of DC to create their one-of-a-kind flavors. Stop in today for a pumpkin crème brulee doughnut, blackberry jam doughnut, or mocha crunch doughnut.
6. District of Clothing
District of Clothing is an amazing local clothing store that’s been dressing D.C. locals for more than seven years. Each sweatshirt, hat, and t-shirt features an empowering slogan rendered in the brand’s distinctive style. Dionna Dorsey, the owner, focuses on creating comfort and style in her products, which are available at Made in DC and online.
7. Little Wild Things City Farm
If you’re looking for a dining experience that is truly farm to table, it doesn’t get much better than Little Wild Things City Farm. This urban farm is located near Union Market and grows everything from salad greens and microgreens to edible flowers and more. You can purchase their produce to make your next dinner party a little more sustainable and delicious.
8. 7DrumCity
7DrumCity is a local music shop working to bring a little more beat to the District. The mom and pop store offers lessons in how to play the keyboard, drums, and guitar, as well as voice lessons. Since the start of the pandemic, 7DrumCity has started offering virtual classes that start at just $39 for a half-hour lesson.
9. DC Brau
If you’d like to check out another great D.C. brewery, take a trip over to DC Brau. This brewery played a major role in getting the District’s craft brewing scene off the ground. Today, they offer both curbside pickup and delivery of their specialty brews while their taproom is closed.
10. Gordy’s Pickle Jar
If you’re looking for pickles, preserves, and relishes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a wonderland better than Gordy’s Pickle Jar. Every product in this store is made in D.C. and uses seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. You can find everything from sweet pepper relish and cherry pepper spread to Bloody Mary mix and more here.
11. Compass Coffee
Compass Coffee is the perfect local beer coffee shop for anyone looking to escape the corporate craze of certain green-logoed coffee chains. One of the best local mom and pop shops, this business was founded by two former Marines and now has locations spread across D.C. They have signature blends and custom drinks, as well as basic espresso brewed from the freshest beans available.
12. Harper Macaw
If you’re a chocaholic, you’ll fall in love with Harper Macaw, D.C.’s own chocolate factory. The business’s Bladensburg Road location features both a factory and café. Harper Macaw was founded by a former Marine and a Brazilian chocolate maker and dedicates a portion of their proceeds to helping with tropical reforestation.
13. Mason Dixie Biscuit Co
There are few things more comforting than Southern food, and the Mason Dixie Biscuit Company has the best of it. Although this is a local business, their products are available at more than 2,000 grocery stores across the nation. You can get fried chicken sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, cheddar grits, macaroni and cheese, and more Southern staples at this local gem.
14. Scout Bags
Scout Bags offers bags that are designed around five basic principles: function, durability, affordability, pattern, and fun. Patterns change seasonally, and these bags are designed to last. There are several Scout Bags stores in D.C. and you can find their products online.
Discover More Mom and Pop Shops in D.C.
Whether you’ve just moved to D.C. or you’re a longtime resident, it’s a wonderful thing to support local stores. These mom and pop shops in D.C. are working to improve the local economy, provide amazing customer experiences, and make the world a better place. When you support these businesses, you’re contributing to building a better community and helping a local entrepreneur.
If you’d like to discover more mom and pop shops in D.C., check out the rest of our site. We have a unique selection of apartments in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Check our availability today and discover exceptional locations and stylish rentals.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mom and Pop Shops in Washington D.C.
What products can I find at Made in DC?
Made in DC offers a variety of locally made products from D.C. artists and makers. They have locations in DuPont Circle, The Wharf, and Georgetown, where you can find items that support the local economy.
What is special about Frere Branchiaux Candle Co?
Frere Branchiaux Candle Co is a small-batch, hand-poured candle company founded by three brothers in Washington, D.C. They also offer other home goods such as wick cutters, diffusers, and bath salts.
Where can I find Ice Cream Jubilee in Washington, D.C.?
Ice Cream Jubilee has two locations, one on U Street and another in Capitol Riverfront. They offer unique, rotating ice cream flavors made with locally sourced ingredients.
What is 3 Stars Brewing Company known for?
3 Stars Brewing Company is a craft brewery known for its artisan ales and community-supported beer program. They have become a staple in D.C.’s craft beer scene.
What makes District Doughnut stand out?
District Doughnut offers unique, multicultural doughnut flavors inspired by D.C.’s diverse community. Popular flavors include pumpkin crème brulee, blackberry jam, and mocha crunch doughnuts.
What does District of Clothing offer?
District of Clothing is a local store that sells clothing with empowering slogans. They focus on creating comfort and style, with products available at Made in DC and online.
What can I find at Little Wild Things City Farm?
Little Wild Things City Farm is an urban farm near Union Market that provides farm-to-table produce, including salad greens, microgreens, and edible flowers.
What services does 7DrumCity offer?
7DrumCity is a local music shop offering lessons in drums, guitar, keyboard, and voice. They also offer virtual classes that started during the pandemic.
What makes DC Brau special?
DC Brau is a brewery that played a key role in D.C.’s craft beer revolution. They offer curbside pickup and delivery of their specialty brews, though their taproom is currently closed.
What products can I find at Gordy’s Pickle Jar?
Gordy’s Pickle Jar specializes in pickles, preserves, and relishes made in D.C. using organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. They offer a variety of products such as sweet pepper relish and Bloody Mary mix.
What is Compass Coffee known for?
Compass Coffee is a local coffee shop founded by two former Marines. It is known for its signature blends, custom drinks, and high-quality espresso made from the freshest beans.
What is Harper Macaw famous for?
Harper Macaw is a chocolate factory and café in D.C. that produces high-quality chocolates. A portion of their proceeds supports tropical reforestation efforts.
What does Mason Dixie Biscuit Co offer?
Mason Dixie Biscuit Co is known for its Southern-inspired dishes, including fried chicken sandwiches and cheddar grits. Their products are also available in over 2,000 grocery stores nationwide.
What types of bags does Scout Bags sell?
Scout Bags offers durable, affordable bags designed for functionality and style. Their bags come in seasonal patterns and are available in stores and online.
