In 2023, DC Preservation League (DCPL) launched a promotional and educational legacy business program designed to raise awareness of longstanding businesses in the District.
Through continued research and analysis of DC’s legacy businesses, DCPL staff slightly revised the definition to expand the number of eligible businesses in 2024. Legacy businesses are currently identified by the following requirements:
- Business must be currently operating and located within the boundaries of the District of Columbia
- Business has operated and contributed to its community’s history and/or identity for 20 or more years
- Business is not franchised or affiliated with a national, corporate chain; local franchises are acceptable if original location was established within the District and remains operational within the District’s borders
This new definition resulted in an expanded inventory of 120+ businesses, with individual locations representing all eight wards. These businesses have been mapped and can be found at the below link.
Inclusion of a business on this map does not constitute endorsement by the DC Preservation League or the DC Historic Preservation Office.
Have a legacy business in your neighborhood that meets the requirements? Click the below link to nominate it.
