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 100+ businesses, with individual locations representing all eight wards.
For further information on DCPL’s legacy business program, please see the 2024 Report.
Disclaimer: Inclusion of a business in this directory does not constitute endorsement by the DC Preservation League or the DC Historic Preservation Office. This is not an “approved” list. Please direct questions to info@dcpreservation.org. Note: Some legacy businesses have more than one location. Please check individual business websites for the most up-to-date information.
