The Waterfront District at National Harbor Celebrates Small Businesses on Shop Small Business Saturday

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Nov. 20, 2019 On Small Business Saturday, the Waterfront District at National Harbor celebrates its boutiques and small businesses. The area has more than 70 retailers and restaurants, in addition to the Capital Wheel, carousel and ongoing activities and programs on the waterfront. Easy parking and walkable streets make it an ideal destination this holiday season. In honor of Small Business Saturday, the Waterfront District is offering free parking from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 30. Guests will receive their free parking voucher when they purchase anything from any restaurant or store in the Waterfront District.

In addition to favorite small shops such as Brookie Girl (owned by veterans Shawn and Bobby Hand), Betty, The Dough Jar and Pretty Girl Cupcakery—to name a few, the Waterfront District recently welcomed three new shops:

A Beautiful Closet (144 Waterfront St.) is packed with a wide array of treasures—jewelry; gifts; home décor; women’s, men’s and children’s clothing; shoes; fair trade good and inspirational items from the USA and countries around the world. The boutique is artfully curated by a former World Bank staff member and also offers personalized styling consultations.

A Touch of Fancy (164 Waterfront St.) features a “little cottage, a little chic” from a “simple girl from the Midwest who enjoys a touch of fancy.” Bonnie Cruea (who worked as a paralegal for 15 years) has been creating spaces and reimagining everyday items since she was a child. The store has an ever-changing collection of hand-curated items and always a vast selection of seasonal home decor. The decorative accents are hand-selected by Bonnie based on what strikes her fancy. The furniture is almost all hand-painted by her, and the handmade items are created from visions she or her friends have when looking at ordinary items. Everything is then combined and displayed together in a collection of vignettes to give the customer inspiration for using them in their own homes.

ZAAF (189 Waterfront St.) is a premium lifestyle brand with goods made entirely in Africa. Items include beautiful high-end handbags, scarves, shoes and other accessories. It’s a store that is truly unique and is helping artisans across Africa in a demonstration of social responsibility. Abai Schulze is the Founder and Creative Director of ZAAF. Her life journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States and the rest of the world. Abai is committed to using her academic background in economics and fine arts from her alma mater George Washington University to create unique and practical expressions of beauty.

“We’re extremely proud to have such a great mix of small and boutique retail shops,” said Deborah Topcik, director of marketing at National Harbor. The Waterfront District has been instrumental with businesses such as Brookie Girl (bath and body products) in providing a great environment and support for businesses to thrive and grow.

For more information on Holidays at the Harbor, visit www.nationalharbor.com/hohoho.

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Editor’s Note: Stores are available for Friday preview or Saturday morning live shots. Contact Vicki Bendure at 202-374-9259 (call or text).

About the Waterfront District at National Harbor

Situated on the banks of the Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort community unlike any other. The vibrant Waterfront District at National Harbor offers unique boutique shops and well-loved stores including Alex and Ani; America!; Build-A- Bear Workshop; Carhartt; Peeps; and more—all along wide, walkable streets. More than 30 restaurants include award-winning Succotash; The Walrus Oyster and Ale House; Granite City Food & Brewery; Grace’s Mandarin; and Bond 45. The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, with 2,000 hotel rooms, joins six other hotels in the Waterfront District and features holiday activities including ICE! and Christmas on the Potomac. Highly recognized for its iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-foot observation wheel offering panoramic views that include D.C. monuments; the Waterfront District features seasonal activities; movies and concerts. Capital Bike Share makes it possible to bike to the Waterfront District on National Harbor’s newly paved waterfront trail. There are also many exciting special events and activities. The property was named as one of the top places in the nation to observe spectacular sunsets. For more information, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.

Vicki Bendure
Bendure Communications, Inc.
202-374-9259
Vicki@bendurepr.com