Small Biz Focus

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By Destiny Esper, Strategic Communications Manager, Arlington Economic Development.

Pardon our dust during construction, but Arlington’s bustling Columbia Pike is open for business!

This vibrant corridor is more than just a road; it’s the beating heart of Arlington, where the world comes together in a single zip code. With its rich blend of cultures, local flavor and community spirit, Columbia Pike is the go-to destination for your shopping, dining, wellness and entertainment needs.

While construction may cause some temporary inconveniences, the businesses on Columbia Pike promise that your visit will be worth it. They need your support, and they’re ready to welcome you with open arms and provide an excellent experience. So, take a little extra time to catch the bus, hop on your bike or find that parking space and explore on foot — your favorite spots (and the favorites you have yet to discover) are still open and waiting for you.

Take Sabores, for example. There, Latin America’s rich, aromatic flavors will transport you straight to the streets of Lima or Mexico City. Craving something different? Swing by Bangkok 54 for authentic Thai cuisine that will make your taste buds dance, or visit Bob & Edith’s Diner, an Arlington institution serving classic American comfort food 24/7.

But Columbia Pike is more than just a place to shop or dine — it’s where the community comes alive, which is why the County has updated its Small Business Directory, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to discover the many hidden gems that define Columbia Pike.

If you take a moment to explore the directory, you’ll discover that Eye See Optique offers personalized vision care with a touch of modern flair, while Columbia Pike Deli provides a welcoming spot for grabbing a quick bite or picking up some international treats for the family. You’ll also find out that Mancini de Paris offers luxurious salon services and Evolve2fit ensures you can stay on top of your fitness game in a supportive and friendly environment. There is something on the Pike for everyone!

And if that weren’t exciting enough, patrons and residents can rest assured, knowing that Arlington businesses can claim and update their Small Business Directory listings for free at any time, making the Directory an excellent resource for those looking for the latest and greatest the Pike has to offer.

It’s obvious that one visit to the Pike has the potential to yield unparalleled experiences, but what might not be as obvious is how rewarding visits to the Pike can be. BizLaunch and the Columbia Pike Partnership have rolled out a suite of initiatives designed to keep doors open and customers coming back for businesses. The Open Rewards program is at the heart of these efforts, offering a 5% reward to customers who shop locally.

Enroll today by downloading the Open Rewards app on your smartphones and earn credits every time you support participating local businesses. Business owners who own a personal service, restaurant or retail business in Arlington are automatically enrolled in this program by the County. Other Arlington-based businesses can join for free as well, ensuring no one is left out of this community-focused initiative.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or visiting from beyond Arlington’s borders, Columbia Pike is where you’ll find global experiences right in your backyard. With ample parking (street, garage and private lot), easy access via public transportation and a welcoming atmosphere, Columbia Pike is open to and for you.

We know it can be difficult to get around at times, but it’s worth the trip, even during construction. And the construction is only temporary. Just look at the transformation of the west end of Columbia Pike, where construction is now complete, to see the beautiful changes that are coming to the rest of the corridor. The improved streetscapes, safer crosswalks and enhanced public spaces are just a glimpse of what’s in store for the entire Pike.

In the meantime, however, to easily navigate to your destination, check out the resources listed above as well as the most recent construction projects at Columbia Pike Forward. And remember, if you are a business on the Pike, Arlington County is here to help you navigate these changes and continue to serve this incredible community.

Columbia Pike is open for business, and we can’t wait to see you there! Will you join us?

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

A common question from businesses, both large and small, is: “How can I do business with Arlington?”

For companies with a few years of experience, working with local governments is a great way to expand their customer base while serving their community. In this month’s “Small Business Focus,” we will break down the process to help you succeed in local government procurement.

Do Your Homework

Before you start selling to the local government, doing your homework is essential. Arlington is one of the most transparent clients, with many procurement opportunities and purchasing decisions publicly accessible. You can find these in our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), annual budget, regular board meeting minutes and comprehensive master plans. Through Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), business owners can also view the results of any previous bids or solicitations and final contracts from past requests.

In April, the Arlington County Board approved a balanced budget of $1.65 billion for fiscal year 2025, which began on July 1, 2024, and will end on June 30, 2025.

Understanding Arlington’s Purchasing Process

After you have done your homework, it’s important to understand how Arlington makes purchasing decisions. Arlington uses a decentralized purchasing process where each department handles its own procurement, supported by the Purchasing Division. This means each department, knowing its needs throughout the year, can make individual purchasing decisions. However, despite a decentralized purchasing process, departments must follow the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) and the County’s Purchasing Resolution, found on the Purchasing website.

How Arlington Buys Goods and Services

The dollar value and duration of the order influence how a buyer procures goods and services for amounts of $10,000 to $200,000.

There are the three main ways Arlington purchases goods and services:

• X10,000: For one-time purchases of goods or services that are $10,000 or less within a fiscal year, the County doesn’t need to go through a public process. Purchasing agents can solicit bids from at least two competitors and choose the best fit.
• Small Purchase Negotiations: Used for purchases greater than $10,000 but less than $200,000. These are advertised publicly for at least three days.
• An Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP): For purchases greater than $200,000 an RFP process is leveraged. BIDs are advertised for a period of 10 to 21 days, and RFPs are advertised publicly for a minimum of 30 days.

Getting Started

Ready to secure a portion of the County’s $1.65 billion budget for your small business? Start by registering for Arlington’s procurement database. As of August 1, 2024, Arlington uses a system called PRISM+. New suppliers can register, and existing suppliers can use the new Supplier Portal to do business with Arlington and update their business records. Select all the commodity codes applicable to your business when registering for the procurement portal. Doing so will help anyone making purchases in the County find your business.

Before responding to a request, ensure that your business meets the County’s procurement guidelines, such as having a business license, being in good standing with the Virginia SCC, complying with the Living Wage Policy, cybersecurity standards and more. These requirements will be listed in the RFP or Small Purchase Negotiations and in Arlington’s Purchasing Resolution. If you have any questions, please reach out to any of the purchasing staff.

Upcoming Initiatives

Arlington’s Purchasing Division is also conducting a Disparity Study to determine the effects of race, ethnicity, or gender on a business’s ability to secure contracts in Arlington County. The goal is to find out what we can do better, and we can only find that by speaking with business owners! The County is asking businesses to share their experiences through an online survey about winning or bidding on contracts/subcontracts in Arlington County. For more information, please visit the Disparity Study link.

BizLaunch Support

Whether you are exploring federal, state or local procurement opportunities, BizLaunch is here to help. Sign up for a BizLaunch consultation today or visit BizLaunch to learn more.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Ever wondered if selling homemade tamales, cakes, ice cream or other food items is allowed in Virginia according to state law? Generally, it’s not, but there are exceptions depending on the food item and its distribution.

Most foods sold to the public must be prepared in a commercial kitchen licensed and inspected by the state to ensure public health safety. This is because foods like meats, dairy and vegetables can carry foodborne illnesses. These commercial kitchens have strict controls on temperature, cleanliness, and storage and operators must be trained to prevent illness.

Learn more about obtaining a license for a Food Establishment, Mobile Food Unit or Temporary Food Establishment.

Recently, the Virginia General Assembly loosened regulations and introduced “Cottage Food Laws” allowing certain non-perishable foods to be made in private homes. Foods that don’t require time or temperature controls after preparation can be made at home.

These include:

• Candies, jams, and jellies (non-acidic)
• Dried fruits, herbs, and seasonings
• Coated and uncoated nuts
• Vinegar and flavored vinegar
• Popcorn and popcorn balls
• Cotton candy, dried pasta, and baking mixes
• Roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals, trail mixes, granola, and baked goods
• Prepared pickles and acidified vegetables with an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower

There are restrictions on where these homemade products can be sold. They can only be sold in person within Virginia to individuals for personal consumption — not for resale or consignment — and they aren’t eligible for online sales. They can be sold at the operator’s home, temporary events (up to 14 consecutive days) or farmers’ markets. Products must be labeled with the preparer’s name, address, phone number, processing date and the following statement: “NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION.”

Luckily, Arlington has an affordable and convenient food incubator space located on Columbia Pike, Kitchen of Purpose, where entrepreneurs who cannot manufacture foods under the Cottage Food Laws or don’t want to be limited in how they can sell their products can prepare food items safely. Additional resources and tools may also be available.

We know this can be a lot to take in but BizLaunch is here to help you every step of the way, from demystifying regulations to business planning, searching for space, marketing and pricing. Simply schedule your one-on-one consultation today, and we’ll help you navigate the intricacies of starting any business.

For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Over the summer, we’re going to be doing a deep dive into the regulations many startups skip when starting their business. Last summer, we detailed one of the main regulations some startups forget, which is an Arlington Business License. Today, we’re going to highlight the other main regulation many Arlington’s independent consultants working from home forget which is a home occupation permit.

A home occupation permit is a requirement if you are using a residential address as your principal place of business. Many occupations are permitted by the home occupation permit such as accountant, consultant, engineer, artist and many others.

However, there are some occupations that are not permitted in residential areas such as antique shops, nursery schools, restaurant or tearoom, motor vehicle repair and more. The reason such occupations are not allowed is because many of these occupations would create nuisances in residential neighborhoods reducing the quality of life for the surrounding community.

A home occupation is fairly simple to obtain, simply fill out the Home Occupation Application in Permit Arlington, log in or create an account. Under the create drop down menu at the top, click zoning application and a list of different zoning applications will expand and select Home Occupation. To obtain a home occupation permit, the applicant must be an Arlington County resident, and a parking disclosure map is required for home occupation. Use the Parking Map tool to comply with this requirement.

While a particular occupation may be permitted under the Home Occupation Permit, we strongly encourage applicants to check their lease or condo documents to ensure their apartment or condo association allows residents to run a business out of their house before they apply for the Home Occupation Permit.

We know permitting and regulations can be overwhelming; however, we have the “easy button” at BizLaunch, and we can walk startups through all the regulations specific to their business. Simply schedule your one-on-one counseling appointment today with one of our three small business experts.

To learn more about BizLaunch and to take advantage of the many small business resources we offer, visit: www.bizlaunch.org.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and Arlington offers several exciting ways to celebrate throughout the month.

Since the 1800s, LGBTQ+ spaces have existed across the United States in major cities, often operating in the shadows. These spaces have served as vital gathering places for the community to connect and live authentically. Unfortunately, many LGBTQ+ spaces have recently faced threats, including bomb threats, vandalism and other attacks.

In honor of the entrepreneurs and small businesses creating inclusive, safe spaces for the community, BizLaunch proudly invites you to Brunch and Business: Taking Pride in LGBTQ+ Spaces on June 11 at 11 a.m.

Join us for a panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs and small businesses fostering safe spaces in Northern Virginia. Enjoy drag performances by DeeDee Amor Dior and a delightful brunch from Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant — Northern Virginia’s longstanding “straight-friendly” gay bar.

Meet our distinguished panelists for the June 11 program:

• Jackson Adams, VIDA Fitness
• Sulay Gonzalez, NOVASalud
• Kymberli Moore, The Polished Kreative — Organizers of Arlington Pride
• Colton Nguyen, 360Healthx

This event is proudly sponsored by the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in partnership with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch division.

Can’t make it to the Brunch and Business event but want to show your pride this month? Celebrate Pride in Arlington with additional events organized by The Polished Kreative, the team behind the 2024 Arlington Pride Festival:

• Arlington Pride Ho-Down Party — June 15: A community dance party featuring a live tribute to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” performed by local drag sensation Elektra g.
• Arlington Pride Speed Dating — June 17: Hosted by D.C.’s most eligible single, Alex Held, this event is perfect for LGBTQ+ singles looking to mingle and find love.
• Arlington Pride Drag Pageant & After-Dark After-Party — June 21: Hosted by Drag Superstar Shi-Queeta Lee, the 2nd Annual Arlington Pride Drag Pageant will highlight the talents of local drag entertainers. Stay for the rooftop vibes at Clarendon Ballroom during the Arlington Pride After-Dark After-Party.
• Third Annual Arlington Pride Festival — June 29: Join us at Long Bridge Park in National Landing for a celebration, diversity and love-filled day. This free event promises a fantastic gathering featuring local talent, delicious food and vibrant entertainment.

BizLaunch proudly supports the small businesses in Arlington that are dedicated to creating and sustaining safe, inclusive spaces for all Arlingtonians year-round. Aligned with Arlington’s equity initiatives, BizLaunch is committed to fostering an environment where all businesses and businessowners can thrive. We wish you a joyful and vibrant LGBTQ+ Pride Month. For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org