The Business Issue
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 4 5 6-7
Glendon Hartley Brings Service Bar DC to U Street
PUBLISHER
Just the Beginning for Local Entrepreneur
Denise Rolark Barnes
Decades Nightclub Travels Back in Time Four Levels Dedicated to 80s, 90s & 2000s
EDITOR’S LETTER It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the busiest! Holidays, travel, tying up loose ends, trashing the old and picking up the new can be exhilarating and also overwhelming. As the WI Bridge rebrands we want to bring you content that you can use and also provide a pathway to support Black-owned businesses. In this month’s issue we are all about businesses, business owners and more businesses! From local entrepreneurs such as Glendon Hartley, to the e-commerce world, you will find young Black millennials making moves that will inspire you as well as give you options on where to spend your money.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Archer & Pine Brings Black Creators to Consumers
Dejah Greene
New E-Commerce Site Honors Black Wall Street
#BLACKOWNEDFRIDAY Support Black Businesses this Holiday Season
ON THE COVER
LAYOUT
Just in time for the busiest retail day of the year Black Friday, we have a #BlackOwnedFriday Shopping Guide of innovative online businesses that provides everything from fashion, beauty to health and wellness services.
Dominiqua S. Eldridge
We look forward to being your source for news and information for what’s new and hot in the city such as the new Decades nightclub downtown featured in this issue. Don’t forget to keep up with us on social media! If you’re a writer/photographer and you want to be apart of the Bridge team email me at swright@ washingtoninformer.com. I look forward to hearing from you and Happy Thanksgiving! Artist, award-winning mixologist and now restaurant owner Glendon Hartley speaks on his journey of becoming one of the most sought after bartenders in D.C. on Friday, Nov. 18 at his brain-child Service Bar DC in the U Street corridor. /Photo by Roy Lewis.
www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity
Web: http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/
@InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge
Email: wibridge@washingtoninformer.com
WashInformerBridge www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge
WI BRIDGE | 2
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarafina Wright Lauren Poteat Tatyana Hopkins
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
Glendon Hartley Brings Service Bar DC to U Street Just the Beginning for Local Entrepreneur
Tips from Glendon:
Favorite Drink: Brandy, Calvados, an apple brandy from France and Pisco, a type of Brandy from South America. Signature Drink: Pisco Sours, people come to me for them a lot and spicy drinks. Thanksgiving Cocktail Suggestion: I always recommend an Olio Sacrum, sugar, a little bit of water to get it damp, a bunch of toasted spices, toss it into the sugar, and stick it in a plastic bag, you can have that for about a year. It’s a similar process to salting meat, the sugar will infuse with the spices. Take a scoop of the Olio Sacrum, toss that in a bowl, squeeze a few lemons and limes, bitters, water and that’s how I make my rum punch, plus a few lemon peels for garnish.
Glendon Hartley prepares one of his signature drinks at Service Bar DC, located at 928 U Street NW. /Photo by Roy Lewis
by Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor-in-chief
Glendon Hartley, 31, left Montgomery County, Md. for New York City over a decade ago to pursue a career in fashion, but he returned to the District and in just a few years became the most sought after bartender in D.C. His first venture Service Bar DC opened just a few weeks ago in the U Street neighborhood where he combined his knowledge, expertise and experience in the industry into a bar fit for an award-winning mixologist. “I had a very long road here,” Hartley said. “I went to school for fashion in New York at FIT, along the way, my mother was one of those people where she didn't want me to acquire debt, so I had to pay my way through school instead of student loans.”
So You Want to be a Bartender? Don’t go to bartending school, it’s a huge waste of money. People go to these bartending schools and they learn how to make free shots from the 60s and 70s, that no one makes anymore. Go to barsmarts.com. You can go on there for $20 as opposed to $600 for bartending school. I also would highly recommend taking a sommelier course. If you have a local bar that you think makes great drinks go there, try to get a job as a prep person. A bar back will be the number one way to start. Crafting one beverage program for one restaurant led to another and another for Hartley. Eventually he along with two partners decided to start a consulting company, The Menehune Group. “Our consulting group, me specifically was kind of getting annoyed about where things were in bars, because most bars had the same set up as the 1960s through 2005,” Hartley said. “So we started designing bars for different groups, so now once we designed four or five bars we started working with an architect and whenever he got a contract to design something we would design a bar for him.”
Hartley said the easiest way he found to pay for school came through the restaurant industry whether as a server, host or a bartender.
Hartley said that after awhile he realized that himself along with his partners had every single aspect they would need to actually open their own bar.
“At the time I went to school I had already been bartending for about five years, but I still couldn't get any jobs in New York,” he said.
“I already knew where to get all the equipment from, how to design a bar, I knew how to get a general contractor, we already had different deals and relationships with all the different liquor producers in the city and Maryland and Virginia, so it made sense for us to take all of that and focus it on this one small bar,” he said.
For about two and a half years, Hartley would come down to Maryland to bartend then on Sunday nights after his shift, he would take the bus back to New York City. “I realized that I couldn't get a job in New York as a bartender because I didn't have that knowledge and experience in that industry,” he said. In order to move up in his field he poked around D.C. where he found mentors in the restaurant industry whom he would later open Founding Farmers Restaurant with. “They had the knowledge and were willing to train me, so I could learn more about alcohol and the job I was doing day to day,” he said. “When I opened Founding Farmers with them that put me in the right situation at the right time.” “The city was having a larger cocktail boom at the time around 2007-2008. The Gibson opened on 14th Street, Founding Farmers, PS 7’s, and they were doing a different style of drink making.” In his quest to learn more about his passion he turned to people in the industry to understand the science behind making beer, wine, spirits and cocktails. With Richard Cook, an influential chef in the early part of his career, he continued to expand his knowledge learning flavor profiles and how to pair alcohol with food. “Going out meeting people at wineries and distilleries helped me because of what came from it,” Hartley said. “A lot of these distillers are microbiologist, and their knowledge made me want to learn more about biology, the genetic make up of sugars, citrus and plants specifically.”
Coming up on the first month of being in business, Hartley believes Service Bar DC has met expectations with an offering of 5 small dishes including fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, buffalo chicken dip, Caprese Salad and a all-day happy hour where they serve $7 drinks everyday. Hartley made the conscious choice to be a hands-on owner coming in at 9 a.m. in the morning to prep for the bartenders and receive alcohol. “I decided it’s best for me to do all the prep for the bar that way when the bartender comes in they can focus on the bar, making drinks and serving guests,” he said. His passion for food and alcohol can be traced back to his Trinidadian parents whom he credits his culinary taste to. “I make drinks taste good and look good,” Hartley said. “I’am an artist at heart and it is the way I was taught by my family. What I do here, the drinks that I produce and the way I utilize flavors all comes from my West Indian family.” “Learning the different ways to make everything from spices to rum. That’s where most of my flavor profiles come from.” Hartley claims that while he doesn't expect to be nominated for a coveted RAMMY [Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington] Award next year, he’s hopeful. “Do I think we put out a product that’s on par with the highest quality bars in this city, yes, I think we do, he said. “But I don't expect anything ever, which is why I am always satisfied.”
3 | WI BRIDGE
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
Decades Nightclub Travels Back in Time Decades DC 2000s floor VIP area. /Photos Courtesy of Alex Martin.
Decades DC Hip Hop Floor Bar. /Photos Courtesy of Alex Martin.
Decades DC Hip Hop Floor Bar. /Photos Courtesy of Alex Martin.
by Lauren Poteat
Four Levels Dedicated to 80s, 90s & 2000s
When Generation X meets today’s millennials, the results are an all new four-level retro 80s, 90s and 2000s, exclusively themed nightclub curated by one of D.C.’s biggest nightlife impresarios.
school vibe of the multi-level, multi-DJ clubs that defined D.C. nightlife in the 90s and 2000s.”
WI Bridge Contributing Writer
Antonis Karagounis, the mind behind Echostage, Barcode, Ultrabar and now Decades that opened the weekend of Nov. 11, wants the ‘old school’ to be king again. “It’s not just a bar, it’s a tribute to nightclub culture in D.C. and the music we loved from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and even the present day,” Karagounis said. “It’s about bringing back the old-
WI BRIDGE | 4
Located at 1219 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, the 10,000-square-feet club, reflects different musical eras on each of its four levels. Decades’ cocktail menu mirrors its theme serving up drinks such as Orange Crush cocktails, Jell-O shots, Goldschlager, Hypnotiq and a signature frozen drink bar. “I’ve been doing this for three decades, so in a way this is my take on what clubbing has been [and] my take on my experience,” Karagounis told the Washingtonian.
The first floor, dedicated to the hits of the 2000s through present day, immerses guests in songs by mega artists like Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez, with a CD-covered DJ booth full of murals from other artists like Diddy, Rihanna and a VIP “Pop Room.” The second floor centered around the 90’s, comes decorated with openfaced brick, Rubiks Cube furniture, pinball machines and a stage with plans to have artists from that time period perform live. On the gold-themed third floor, hip hop lovers can reminisce about the gilded age of hip-hop, with graffiti and portraits of legendary rappers like Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E and the Notorious B.I.G., toasting
to the good life in apparel from the 80s and opulent bling from the 90s. Decades will unveil its fourth level — a rooftop space — in 2017, with a semi-enclosed outdoor area and an aesthetic that will transport partygoers to a classic Miami nightclub. “When we started thinking about a space that would allow us to relive our youth, in a way, and honor the timeless music we grew up on, Decades was born,” Karagounis said.
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
Courtesy photo provided by Archer & Pine. /ArcherPine.com.
Archer & Pine Brings Black Creators to Consumers by Tatyana Hopkins
New E-Commerce Site Honors Black Wall Street
Black Wall Street, a bastion of African American wealth in Tulsa, Okla. burned to the ground nearly 100 years ago, and now two entrepreneurs hope to revive it in a digital space.
opportunity to do business anywhere and it offers more flexibility than a physical business,” Clarke said.
WI Bridge Contributing Writer
Morgan Gantt and Marc Clarke, a millennial and baby boomer founded Archer & Pine, a e-commerce marketplace for artisans and designers of African descent with the intentions of giving them an economic platform. The site ArcherPine.com will launch on the biggest online shopping holiday of the year marketed as Cyber Monday on Nov. 28. “Over the last 25 years, I have observed entrepreneurs struggle to obtain efficient exposure for their businesses,” Clarke said. “In the case of e-commerce, most Black-owned small businesses lack the capital or resources to build and maintain a fully functioning online presence.” “Archer & Pine provides not only the marketplace but the appropriate environment that promotes storytelling and creativity.” The company wants to serve as an empowerment tool to give artisans an elevated platform by building a powerful and effective online presence for creators to showcase and sell goods. “The digital world offers business owners the
Both Gantt and Clarke believe that the Black cooperative has protection in the digital space. “Our goal is to offer a variety,” Clarke said. “It’s important that every artisan gets to tell their story and the product reflects that.” Launching with 12 brand partners, the site will offer a range of items including fine art, beauty products, teas, jams, gourmet snacks and literature. Some of the featured brands include Jams by Kim, an artisanal jam company based out of New Jersey whose recipes span three generations; Doggie Diva by Cindy, a Baltimore-based all-natural dog care line; Bino and Fino, a Nigerian company that produces educational learning tools based on indigenous African culture; and Clarke’s Atlanta-based Black and Married with Kids, a popular web destination featuring tools for African-American marriage and parenting. The duo hopes that their introduction of the ‘Business to Many’ [B2M] model will empower entrepreneurism, collaboration and elevate the “digital black dollar.” “The Archer & Pine platform helps brands get grounded in the digital world on a functioning and updated platform as many of them are counted out at large department and retail stores,” Gantt said.
Archer & Pine, named in honor of two main streets in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Okla. and inspired by the story of ‘Black Wall Street,’ notably one of the most successful and wealthiest Black communities in the United States during the early 20th Century, until the Tulsa race riot. In 1921, resentful whites attacked Black residents and their property burning down homes and businesses, ultimately destroying whole neighborhoods ending the economic success of Black Wall Street. With Gantt holding expertise in analytics and Clarke a seasoned media professional she believes they have the tools for the site to be a success. “We complement each other,” Gantt said. “Marc brings sound experience and deep relationships.” With the site launching on Cyber Monday, Archer & Pine intends to make a statement. “Cyber Monday represents the biggest shopping day online for the year,” Gantt said. “We’re excited; we’re really in the thick of it right now and we hope people appreciate what we are doing.”
5 | WI BRIDGE
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
Support Black Businesses this Holiday Season by Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor-in-chief
This Black Friday millennials are projected to spend millions during the busiest retail day of the year. However, there has been a shift in purchasing habits with this demographic with them moving more toward online shopping instead of pounding the pavement and fighting crowds in stores. According to a recent online survey conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs on behalf of offers.com, Cyber Monday, a marketing term for the Monday after Thanksgiving, took over as the top shopping holiday of the year in popularity. While it is tempting to go to the same stores you’re use to like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy, step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Get put on to some of the best products on the net, while patronizing some highly rated Black-owned shops that covers everything from fashion, health, skin care and natural hair care.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
If you're looking for meal plans, weight loss help and/or clean eating starter kits these are the online resources for you, owned and operated by Black dietitians, nutritionist and wellness instructors. www.foodheavenstore.com www.bundtsandcrumpetstea.com www.directeats.com/abesmarket www.eatlivemeals.com
Check out our #BlackOwnedFriday Shopping Guide and support goods from young Black entrepreneurs.
FASHION
These shops offer authentic African fabrics and designs, dresses, trousers, t-shirts, socks, hand-made jewelry and more. www.etsy.com/shop/DemestiksNewYork www.thewrap.life www.nakimuli.com www.peaceimages.bigcartel.com www.arielbrands.com
WI BRIDGE| 6
NOVEMBER 2016 | VOL 2, ISSUE 10
Support Black Businesses this Holiday Season
SKIN CARE
Shea Butters, mango butters, activated charcoal, rose water, amethyst facial oil, whipped soap, bath bombs, body scrubs, sea salt detoxes and all of your bath care needs are met at these shops. All of the businesses listed specialize in vegan, cruelty free, natural ingredients. www.bellebutters.com www.theluxbee.com/shop www.earthsnectar.com/shop www.naturallyflyspot.com www.etsy.com/shop/SheaBrothas
Natural Hair Care
Yes, there are Black-owned natural hair lines that you can purchase at any major retailer such as Target, or your local drug store, but these online brands up the ante. You can find everything from scalp cleansers, elixirs, curling cremes, deep conditioners, leave-in conditioners and beard cleansers and oils for the men in your life and more. These natural hair care products are next level for half the price. www.myhoneychild.com www.beemineorganics.com www.qhemetbiologics.com www.soultanicals.com www.koilsbynature.com www.alikaynaturals.com
7 | WI BRIDGE