Yes, The story ideas and much of the writing belonged to Mr. Englert. I edited, added, and subtracted portions. And I secured the photos. But, yeah, very few people knew, and it was meant to be a temporary secret. I think it worked pretty well. The biggest tell, for me, was that I don't generally accuse other people of having hairy backs.
And people, by some of their comments, were so puzzled that you would have wrote some of the stuff. Good double April Fool's there! You just smiled behind the scenes.
You mentioned your BID in your interview. Are all business on H invited to be a part of the BID? What are the advantages of having or being a part of the BID? How many or what percentage of H St. business are currently a part of your BID? Is it expensive for business owners or something they and the surrounding community would benefit from?
Palace, R&B, Sticky Rice, Pug, Martini GM, Atlas Performing Arts, Sova, RnR and Argo basically make up the BID. These are the people whom usually throw in the cash and attend the meetings. EVERYONE is welcome, business or residents. It costs from $50 to $1000 a week per member depending if you are advertising or not in the CP. You also get the streets cleaned for this. We meet usually once a month. We are interested in having a lot of say in the next H street festival, coordinating info for the upcoming streetscape and general news, info sharing among businesses. I think the biggest advantage is being a collective of businesses that has a regional identity. We compete against Adams-Morgan, Dupont, Arlington for people's cash. No way anybody can beat us in the region for publicity and print inches. We have to stay unified to continue our success.
Thanks Joe, that answers many of my questions. I notice that Martini Lounge seems to be the only minority owned business in the list. With so many minority owned businesses along H, why do you think its not more? Doesn't this improve everyone's business? I'm also surprised not to see any of the businesses owned by Anwar Salem (Hair Rage, WillPower) not being a part of the BID. As head of H St. Main Street, can anyone explain why he is not a part of the program? It seems so positive for H St. Thanks.
i'm pretty sure the owner of will power is named will. i don't think his last name is power, but i still find it a mildly amusing pun, for some reason.
We must be fair and realistic about why people join or don't join a BID. Number one, money is tight for small businesses. For some guys, $50 bucks a week and $2500 a year is very steep. Number 2, if you are a shoe or clothing store, you might not see value in joining our BID--and I wouldn't blame you in the least. Number 3, Anwar is working hard to have a BID for the entirety of H...in many ways our Atlas BID could temporarily hurt his chances to land a H St. BID--something we also respect. Number 4, if your kids go to school, if you are a member of a bowling team or church, you have to realize that alot of people choose to do things independently and not join things--groups, committees, etc. That is just the way of the world........ As far as minority owned....I think every one of us on H is a minority....business people in a sea of lawyers, bureaucrats and political constultants......
"As far as minority owned....I think every one of us on H is a minority....business people in a sea of lawyers, bureaucrats and political constultants......"
Why not a reduced rate for the smaller, less lucrative businesses so that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in a BID?
Or instead of creating a "seprate" BID as it sounds that Anwar is doing, then why don't all the businesses join behind Anwar's plan? Wouldn't that strengthen the one he's tring to create?
I'm not sure why "his" would be different from anything represented under the "Atlas District" BID. And if Atlas District businesses got their's underway so quickly - especially as all the businesses particpating are new businesses? Seems that the more established hair salons would have an even greater interest in the improvement of the corridor or do they not care as much a new business - instead more interested in protecting the status quo?
Our BID is non-profit. No one gets paid. It is ALOT of work to do for free. Have you ever chased more than two or three people around for dues? How about 10, 15, 20? We are paying to clean the streets. Supervising one person to clean up after people's kids Yahoo bottles and Doritos Bags(twice a day) takes enough effort just for 4 blocks. Adding all those other businesses (whom might never pay us a penny) is really a lot to ask. Anwar's efforts are different. He is trying to make this an official, city-sanctioned BID in which 51% of the property owners on H agree to the BID You really think that 51% of the CURRENT line-up are going to pay $2000-10,000 a building to clean the streets and advertise H? As always, if you anonymous or anybody else wants to do the heavy lifting here and actually help pay for our BID, we welcome you with open arms. This isn't theory...we are paying for this each week...A place like Rock and Roll spending $50,000 a year. As said before, ANYBODY can join, just come to the meetings and bring a checkbook
I'm with you. I just don't see why the NEW businesses are making all the effort here and the old ones are sitting on their ass not even getting out to sweep up the trash on the street in front of their business!
I was actually being sarcastic when I said why don't you provide an "equal opportunity" reduced rate for businesses that weren't doing as well as a Joe Englert establishment - because I think that's EXACTLY what many are waiting for: another handout! And while they're waiting, very few are doing a damn thing to try to pick up the trash (for free) in front of their businesses. Many really don't give a crap about the improvement of H St. or they would pick up a broom! And I would say many are way more established than Joe Englert, SOVA, Martini Bar, etc.
I would just like to ask Anwar if he's considered being a part of the Atlas Business Improvement District while he's waiting for the H St. BID to kick in?
Anwar, if you're out there, you own two buildings on H St., do you not see any value in joining the Atlas BID while you're waiting for the city-sanctioned BID to come on board? As Director of the H St. Main St. program, it might set a really good example to some of the older, more established business owners if YOU join this privately funded BID. Ever thought of that or is just something you're really not that interested in?
Why is everyone such an expert on what Anwar should do? Get off of your own ass and do 1/2 of what this guy does on his own dime. Buy your own building, take the grates off, put up a sign, contribute to bid, get a web site, sell really good food and booze at micky d's prices ...whatever.
Let's not forget that most of this trash is not from the patrons or employees of Joe's bars or most of the other businesses. It's from people walking up and down H Street, too lazy to dispose of their trash properly.
Yes, it's great when businesses police the public sidewalk in front of their establishment.
But as Joe pointed out, it's a lot of work. Even the most conscientious of business owner is sometimes going to have a dirty sidewalk in front of their place.
Joe. A few weeks ago you announced your contact info, and discussed meeting with anyone who wanted to start a business on H. Have you gotten much response? Would you please repeat that announcement?
I had probably 20 people look me up. Good people...good ideas. Hopefully, a couple of the projects will come through! We are having a BID meeting 1 p.m. this Thursday at SOVA if anybody is interested in attending.
Great interview! Very informative. I would also like to join in thanking Joe for all his efforts through the past years on H. I know he is not alone, and all the pepple working hard to innovate the scene deserve our gratitude as well. Kudos and thanks!
For the record, let me say that Anwar really works hard as an ambassador for H. We only include our 3-4 blocks because the corridor is very long. We began the Atlas BID because it is much easier to function in a smaller rendition because we know all of the owners and co-owners of the businesses on the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks so well. As said before, it makes it easier to collect money from businesses when you are actually a partner or a friend owns the businesses you are dealing with.
Non. 2:56, sorry, should not have referred to H St. BID and Anwar's involvment as "failed". I should have said "unsuccessful"
Joe, I'm not saying that Anwar doesn't work hard for H St. I'm just asking him, as an established and sucessful H St. business owner, why doesn't he find value in joining the efforts of the Atlas District BID in the meantime while waiting for the District supported H St. BID to get underway. It seems by doing that he would show his true support of the BID process. Can one not be a member of yours while still being an advocate of the other? Just asking?
Anon 11:05pm -- OK, but why would you characterize it as "unsuccessful"? I'm ignorant as to what has to occur to get the city to certify (or whatever the official term is) a BID. How long has Anwar been trying to do this? How close has he come, and what's holding it back? Is it correct to say "unsuccessful"? Or did he just get started? (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're incorrect in your characterization -- I just don't know, and that's the point)
Hasn't Joe said here that their Atlas BID covers the 3 blocks or so between 12th and 15th? Aren't Anwar's properties in the 400-800 block range (I don't remember)?
Anon. 754 a.m., Joe said earlier that the Atlas District BID is open to "everyone", so I would assume that means everyone on H St. Maybe he can clarify.
If that is the case, it seems that Anon. 1105 makes a good point in asking why Anwar wouldn't become a member of that existing BID while waiting for the city approved BID? Or even some of the other more successful businesses along H. For example, Horace & Dickies, Murry's Grocery store, Hair Rage, etc.
If these other more established businesses won't participate in the current BID, then isn't Anwar just spinning his wheels to try to get something that nobody really wants - or they don't want if they have to pay for it, a "we'll wait for the tax payers to pay for it" attitude. Or maybe I have a false understanding of a "private" BID vs. a "publicly funded" BID.
Does anyone know if there are currently other private BID models in the city such as the Atlas District's BID? I'm assuming the Capitol Hill BID and the NOMA BID are city supported? If so, how did they come about - because "51% of the property owners agree to the BID" as stated by Joe who went on to say, "You really think that 51% of the CURRENT line-up (on H)are going to pay $2000-10,000 a building to clean the streets and advertise H?" - seems not even Anwar is willing to do that, or maybe he's not "eligible" to participate?
My only question is, in the meantime, why doesn't Anwar set an example for participating in a BID by joining the Atlas BID? Couldn't he still work on a city sanctioned one at the same time? And I guess in all fairness, I would also ask Joe and the others participating in the priviatly run BID if they have done anything in helping Anwar get a city-supported BID? Or is that something they're not really interested in doing? If this is the case, it would appear that we have two opposing forces working for two different BIDs on H St. So is it doomed for failure?
Looking at the occupancy rates along H Street, it would seem that an argument could be made to extend the Atlas District BID west to 10th street. That would allow XII, Naby's Island, Napa1015, WillPower, Hair Rage, the impending Tropicana Eatery and any other businesses who might be interested to participate. If Anwar or someone else with a business in the 1000 block were willing to take the lead on reaching out to their neighbors, that would certainly address Joe's point that it's easiest to collect from the people you work most closely with.
And incremental expansion like this would certainly go a long way toward demonstrating the benefit of a BID that would cover the length of H Street.
Joe said it was open to "everyone", but maybe he meant within the Atlas District, otherwise it seems that Anwar as H St. Main St. Director and buiness owner would have certainly joined this BID as an example to others on H St.
If these newer businesses in the Atlas District have started their own BID, maybe Anwar could initiate one for the area where his businesses are located.
Why are all these other businesses waiting for the city to start/support a BID? Maybe they're really not all that interested in one. Too satisfied with the filthy status quo?
I think nobody should underestimate the strains, financial, emotional and otherwise that the small businesses on H face.I think the BID we started is very ambitious and frankly can be expensive and daunting to new or novice business operators. I have the benefit of a lot of experience (and failure as well as some success) that many of these business oweners have not. A voluntary BID isn't for everyone and that is fine by us. But because of our experience, we see some sort of united front as necessary to compete in the current entertainment environment. Not everyone shares these feelings and it is folly not to accept other people's feelings and business acumen. As usual, we welcome everyone and take their advice and positions seriously. We would be thrilled if blocks 3-11 had their own BID that would give Anwar the funding he needs to implement so many of his ideas. As stated before, Anwar is an advocate 24-7 for H and he is an asset for the strip. We can and will work together in whatever manifistations these BIDs end.
Anwar certainly does seem to be quite an ambassador for H. For those who didn't have a chance to listen to the Kojo show last week on NPR, he was very articulate about his hopes, the succeses, the challenges on H. He is also quoted in the vacant property article in the Washington Business Journal. These are city wide venues and quite different. He is certainly getting the word out and making people aware of H Street.
Joe, thanks for your constant insight into running a business....in DC.
36 comments:
that was awesome!! i love learning how these smart entrepreneur types think. that englert is one interesting cat.
Ok, Inked....you were outed on the April Fool's posts!
Thanks for posting that!
Yes, The story ideas and much of the writing belonged to Mr. Englert. I edited, added, and subtracted portions. And I secured the photos. But, yeah, very few people knew, and it was meant to be a temporary secret. I think it worked pretty well. The biggest tell, for me, was that I don't generally accuse other people of having hairy backs.
Joe rocks! What a great interview.
And people, by some of their comments, were so puzzled that you would have wrote some of the stuff. Good double April Fool's there! You just smiled behind the scenes.
Great interview with Joe and very informative.
Joe, can we continue the discussion?
You mentioned your BID in your interview. Are all business on H invited to be a part of the BID? What are the advantages of having or being a part of the BID? How many or what percentage of H St. business are currently a part of your BID? Is it expensive for business owners or something they and the surrounding community would benefit from?
Thanks.
Joe Englert said:
Palace, R&B, Sticky Rice, Pug, Martini GM, Atlas Performing Arts, Sova, RnR and Argo basically make up the BID.
These are the people whom usually throw in the cash and attend the meetings. EVERYONE is welcome, business or residents.
It costs from $50 to $1000 a week per member depending if you are advertising or not in the CP.
You also get the streets cleaned for this. We meet usually once a month. We are interested in having a lot of say in the next H street festival, coordinating info for the upcoming streetscape and general news, info sharing among businesses.
I think the biggest advantage is being a collective of businesses that has a regional identity. We compete against Adams-Morgan, Dupont, Arlington for people's cash. No way anybody can beat us in the region for publicity and print inches. We have to stay unified to continue our success.
Thanks Joe, that answers many of my questions. I notice that Martini Lounge seems to be the only minority owned business in the list. With so many minority owned businesses along H, why do you think its not more? Doesn't this improve everyone's business? I'm also surprised not to see any of the businesses owned by Anwar Salem (Hair Rage, WillPower) not being a part of the BID. As head of H St. Main Street, can anyone explain why he is not a part of the program? It seems so positive for H St. Thanks.
i believe sova is also minority owned.
Anwar Saleem owns the building that houses WillPower, but not the gym itself.
i'm pretty sure the owner of will power is named will. i don't think his last name is power, but i still find it a mildly amusing pun, for some reason.
Joe Englert:
We must be fair and realistic about why people join or don't join a BID. Number one, money is tight for small businesses. For some guys, $50 bucks a week and $2500 a year is very steep. Number 2, if you are a shoe or clothing store, you might not see value in joining our BID--and I wouldn't blame you in the least.
Number 3, Anwar is working hard to have a BID for the entirety of H...in many ways our Atlas BID could temporarily hurt his chances to land a H St. BID--something we also respect.
Number 4, if your kids go to school, if you are a member of a bowling team or church, you have to realize that alot of people choose to do things independently and not join things--groups, committees, etc. That is just the way of the world........
As far as minority owned....I think every one of us on H is a minority....business people in a sea of lawyers, bureaucrats and political constultants......
"As far as minority owned....I think every one of us on H is a minority....business people in a sea of lawyers, bureaucrats and political constultants......"
That is the quote of the year!
Sasha said:
First of all: best-quote-ever-
"Your interior doesn't have to look like a pho joint in Hanoi in 1972."
Thanks for everything Joe Englert! Awesome and informative piece, and we LOVED reading that your first priority is H Street - YAY!
Why not a reduced rate for the smaller, less lucrative businesses so that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in a BID?
Or instead of creating a "seprate" BID as it sounds that Anwar is doing, then why don't all the businesses join behind Anwar's plan? Wouldn't that strengthen the one he's tring to create?
I'm not sure why "his" would be different from anything represented under the "Atlas District" BID. And if Atlas District businesses got their's underway so quickly - especially as all the businesses particpating are new businesses? Seems that the more established hair salons would have an even greater interest in the improvement of the corridor or do they not care as much a new business - instead more interested in protecting the status quo?
Joe Englert said:
Our BID is non-profit. No one gets paid. It is ALOT of work to do for free. Have you ever chased more than two or three people around for dues? How about 10, 15, 20?
We are paying to clean the streets. Supervising one person to clean up after people's kids Yahoo bottles and Doritos Bags(twice a day) takes enough effort just for 4 blocks. Adding all those other businesses (whom might never pay us a penny) is really a lot to ask.
Anwar's efforts are different. He is trying to make this an official, city-sanctioned BID in which 51% of the property owners on H agree to the BID You really think that 51% of the CURRENT line-up are going to pay $2000-10,000 a building to clean the streets and advertise H?
As always, if you anonymous or anybody else wants to do the heavy lifting here and actually help pay for our BID, we welcome you with open arms. This isn't theory...we are paying for this each week...A place like Rock and Roll spending $50,000 a year. As said before, ANYBODY can join, just come to the meetings and bring a checkbook
I'm with you. I just don't see why the NEW businesses are making all the effort here and the old ones are sitting on their ass not even getting out to sweep up the trash on the street in front of their business!
I was actually being sarcastic when I said why don't you provide an "equal opportunity" reduced rate for businesses that weren't doing as well as a Joe Englert establishment - because I think that's EXACTLY what many are waiting for: another handout! And while they're waiting, very few are doing a damn thing to try to pick up the trash (for free) in front of their businesses. Many really don't give a crap about the improvement of H St. or they would pick up a broom! And I would say many are way more established than Joe Englert, SOVA, Martini Bar, etc.
I would just like to ask Anwar if he's considered being a part of the Atlas Business Improvement District while he's waiting for the H St. BID to kick in?
Anwar, if you're out there, you own two buildings on H St., do you not see any value in joining the Atlas BID while you're waiting for the city-sanctioned BID to come on board? As Director of the H St. Main St. program, it might set a really good example to some of the older, more established business owners if YOU join this privately funded BID. Ever thought of that or is just something you're really not that interested in?
Why is everyone such an expert on what Anwar should do? Get off of your own ass and do 1/2 of what this guy does on his own dime. Buy your own building, take the grates off, put up a sign, contribute to bid, get a web site, sell really good food and booze at micky d's prices ...whatever.
Joe-
I love your plans for the future of H St, especially opening an Italian restaurant. I have faith that you can fill the void left by AV Ristorante.
Anonymous 8:25 said, Like Anwar we should "contribute to bid", but that's my point - I don't see where he's contributing to a BID.
He's either "contributing" to a failed city supported BID or why doesn't he join in with the all inclusive Atlas District BID?
Anon 1:41 -- why do you refer to it as a "failed" BID?
Let's not forget that most of this trash is not from the patrons or employees of Joe's bars or most of the other businesses. It's from people walking up and down H Street, too lazy to dispose of their trash properly.
Yes, it's great when businesses police the public sidewalk in front of their establishment.
But as Joe pointed out, it's a lot of work. Even the most conscientious of business owner is sometimes going to have a dirty sidewalk in front of their place.
Joe.
A few weeks ago you announced your contact info, and discussed meeting with anyone who wanted to start a business on H. Have you gotten much response? Would you please repeat that announcement?
Joe Englert said:
I had probably 20 people look me up. Good people...good ideas. Hopefully, a couple of the projects will come through!
We are having a BID meeting 1 p.m. this Thursday at SOVA if anybody is interested in attending.
Great interview! Very informative. I would also like to join in thanking Joe for all his efforts through the past years on H. I know he is not alone, and all the pepple working hard to innovate the scene deserve our gratitude as well. Kudos and thanks!
Linden Place Dweller
Appologies, pepple = people above.
LPD
Joe Englert:
For the record, let me say that Anwar really works hard as an ambassador for H.
We only include our 3-4 blocks because the corridor is very long. We began the Atlas BID because it is much easier to function in a smaller rendition because we know all of the owners and co-owners of the businesses on the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks so well.
As said before, it makes it easier to collect money from businesses when you are actually a partner or a friend owns the businesses you are dealing with.
Non. 2:56, sorry, should not have referred to H St. BID and Anwar's involvment as "failed". I should have said "unsuccessful"
Joe, I'm not saying that Anwar doesn't work hard for H St. I'm just asking him, as an established and sucessful H St. business owner, why doesn't he find value in joining the efforts of the Atlas District BID in the meantime while waiting for the District supported H St. BID to get underway. It seems by doing that he would show his true support of the BID process. Can one not be a member of yours while still being an advocate of the other? Just asking?
Anon 11:05pm -- OK, but why would you characterize it as "unsuccessful"? I'm ignorant as to what has to occur to get the city to certify (or whatever the official term is) a BID. How long has Anwar been trying to do this? How close has he come, and what's holding it back? Is it correct to say "unsuccessful"? Or did he just get started? (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're incorrect in your characterization -- I just don't know, and that's the point)
Hasn't Joe said here that their Atlas BID covers the 3 blocks or so between 12th and 15th? Aren't Anwar's properties in the 400-800 block range (I don't remember)?
Anon. 754 a.m., Joe said earlier that the Atlas District BID is open to "everyone", so I would assume that means everyone on H St. Maybe he can clarify.
If that is the case, it seems that Anon. 1105 makes a good point in asking why Anwar wouldn't become a member of that existing BID while waiting for the city approved BID? Or even some of the other more successful businesses along H. For example, Horace & Dickies, Murry's Grocery store, Hair Rage, etc.
If these other more established businesses won't participate in the current BID, then isn't Anwar just spinning his wheels to try to get something that nobody really wants - or they don't want if they have to pay for it, a "we'll wait for the tax payers to pay for it" attitude. Or maybe I have a false understanding of a "private" BID vs. a "publicly funded" BID.
Does anyone know if there are currently other private BID models in the city such as the Atlas District's BID? I'm assuming the Capitol Hill BID and the NOMA BID are city supported? If so, how did they come about - because "51% of the property owners agree to the BID" as stated by Joe who went on to say, "You really think that 51% of the CURRENT line-up (on H)are going to pay $2000-10,000 a building to clean the streets and advertise H?" - seems not even Anwar is willing to do that, or maybe he's not "eligible" to participate?
My only question is, in the meantime, why doesn't Anwar set an example for participating in a BID by joining the Atlas BID? Couldn't he still work on a city sanctioned one at the same time? And I guess in all fairness, I would also ask Joe and the others participating in the priviatly run BID if they have done anything in helping Anwar get a city-supported BID? Or is that something they're not really interested in doing? If this is the case, it would appear that we have two opposing forces working for two different BIDs on H St. So is it doomed for failure?
Looking at the occupancy rates along H Street, it would seem that an argument could be made to extend the Atlas District BID west to 10th street. That would allow XII, Naby's Island, Napa1015, WillPower, Hair Rage, the impending Tropicana Eatery and any other businesses who might be interested to participate. If Anwar or someone else with a business in the 1000 block were willing to take the lead on reaching out to their neighbors, that would certainly address Joe's point that it's easiest to collect from the people you work most closely with.
And incremental expansion like this would certainly go a long way toward demonstrating the benefit of a BID that would cover the length of H Street.
Joe said it was open to "everyone", but maybe he meant within the Atlas District, otherwise it seems that Anwar as H St. Main St. Director and buiness owner would have certainly joined this BID as an example to others on H St.
If these newer businesses in the Atlas District have started their own BID, maybe Anwar could initiate one for the area where his businesses are located.
Why are all these other businesses waiting for the city to start/support a BID? Maybe they're really not all that interested in one. Too satisfied with the filthy status quo?
the two anwar properties i am aware of are in the 1000 block (hair rage, will power...and possibly napa?)
Joe Englert said:
I think nobody should underestimate the strains, financial, emotional and otherwise that the small businesses on H face.I think the BID we started is very ambitious and frankly can be expensive and daunting to new or novice business operators. I have the benefit of a lot of experience (and failure as well as some success) that many of these business oweners have not. A voluntary BID isn't for everyone and that is fine by us.
But because of our experience, we see some sort of united front as necessary to compete in the current entertainment environment. Not everyone shares these feelings and it is folly not to accept other people's feelings and business acumen.
As usual, we welcome everyone and take their advice and positions seriously. We would be thrilled if blocks 3-11 had their own BID that would give Anwar the funding he needs to implement so many of his ideas. As stated before, Anwar is an advocate 24-7 for H and he is an asset for the strip. We can and will work together in whatever manifistations these BIDs end.
Anwar certainly does seem to be quite an ambassador for H. For those who didn't have a chance to listen to the Kojo show last week on NPR, he was very articulate about his hopes, the succeses, the challenges on H. He is also quoted in the vacant property article in the Washington Business Journal. These are city wide venues and quite different. He is certainly getting the word out and making people aware of H Street.
Joe, thanks for your constant insight into running a business....in DC.
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