WASHINGTON DC: Yesterday's Announcing of the Winners of the 2017 Inaugural Local First Awards

Local Businesses Win Big and Party Hard at the 2017 Local First Awards!

The first annual Local First Awards is hailed as a massive success - conferring honors on high impact local businesses and celebrating the District’s community of entrepreneurs, creatives, artists and makers that invigorate our local economy.

On Thursday, November 9, the inaugural Local First Awards were held at Blind Whino SW Arts Club. This exciting and uniquely-DC celebration that brought the city together in support of local businesses and artists. The Awards, a Think Local First DC (TLF) initiative, spotlighted the most impactful local independent businesses, entrepreneurs, and artists in DC.

The Think Local First Board had a tough time choosing the award winners

The evening began with the presentation of awards in the categories of: Maker, Ripple Effect, High Road, Green Thumb, Builder, Pioneer and Community Champion. The winners were selected by a panel of distinguished leaders in the DC business community – and concluded with an all out dance party lasting well into the evening! Out of a pool of 35 finalists, here are the winners (I have provided web links so you can check them out).

Maker - Bailiwick Clothing

Ripple Effect - Paul Ruppert Restaurants and Upshur Street Books

High Road- The Potter’s House

Green Thumb - Misfit Juicery

Builder - City First Bank

Pioneer - Tightshift Laboring Cooperative

Community Champion - Lee’s Flower and Card Shop

** Photos by Alice Ng