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About

Keeping Georgetown’s Independent Businesses Thriving

If you’ve wandered up Wisconsin Avenue NW and discovered something charming or unique, you’ve found what Georgetown Main Street exists to champion. For nearly 10 years we’ve supported the independent businesses, hosted community events, and showcased the neighborhood identity that makes Georgetown the 8th most visited Main Street in America.

Our Vision

To build a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative commercial corridor that champions diverse small businesses and celebrates Georgetown’s unique local character.

Our Mission

To support local businesses and foster a vibrant, connected, and welcoming commercial corridor along Wisconsin Avenue while engaging residents, organizations, and visitors.

The neon Georgetown marquee on Wisconsin Avenue NW at dusk, with traffic light trails along the corridor
Map of the Georgetown Main Street corridor along Wisconsin Avenue NW, from Water Street north to Reservoir Road

Georgetown Main Street

Explore the neighborhood

Find local businesses, restaurants, shops, and community destinations along the Georgetown corridor.

View business directory

Our partners in Georgetown

Georgetown BID

A partner supporting Georgetown’s businesses and corridor.

BID

Up to the front door

  • Clean Team & Community Safety Program
  • Neighborhood beautification: wreaths & flower baskets
  • Support for homeless services
  • Major marketing campaigns
  • Online directory
  • DC Government contractor
  • Business recruitment
  • Economic development data
  • Transportation initiatives
  • Host of the French Market

Both

Shared services

  • Events
  • Social media
  • Shared business resources
  • Landscaping & beautification
  • Business data tracking

GMS

Through the front door

  • Grants
  • Annual survey
  • Technical assistance
  • One-on-one support
  • Networking events
  • Recurring events
  • Community volunteers
  • Host of Art All Night and the Fall Market
  • The 1700 & 1800 blocks of Wisconsin

Working together

Other Georgetown Partner Organizations

Organizations that help strengthen Georgetown’s businesses, residents, and community.

Citizens Association of GT

Citizens
Association of GT

Georgetown Heritage

Georgetown
Heritage

Georgetown Ministry Center

Georgetown
Ministry Center

Georgetown Village

Georgetown
Village

Transparency

Annual Reports

A look back at Georgetown Main Street’s work, progress, and impact.

Cover of the 2023 Georgetown Main Street annual report 2023 View report Cover of the 2024 Georgetown Main Street annual report 2024 View report Cover of the 2025 Georgetown Main Street annual report 2025 View report

Our team

Board of Directors

Georgetown Main Street is a volunteer-driven organization. Many of our board members are residents or own a business on the corridor.

Rachel Shank, Executive Director Rachel Shank Executive Director
Emma Duffy, Social Media Manager Emma Duffy Social Media Manager
Iesha Holy, Board Chair Iesha Holy Board Chair
Allison Cooke, Board Vice Chair Allison Cooke Board Vice Chair
Rian Holt, Board Treasurer Rian Holt Board Treasurer
Mary Beth Hasty, Board Secretary, Economic Vitality Chair Mary Beth Hasty Board Secretary, Economic Vitality Chair
Charissa Benjamin, Board Member Charissa Benjamin Board Member
Ann Goldstein, Board Member Ann Goldstein Board Member
Colleen Girouard, Board Member Colleen Girouard Board Member
Alex Walker, Board Member Alex Walker Board Member
Ellen Waugh, Volunteer Chair Ellen Waugh Volunteer Chair
Melanie Hayes, Marketing & PR Committee Chair Melanie Hayes Marketing & PR Committee Chair
Gwendolyn Coleman, Governance Committee Chair Gwendolyn Coleman Governance Committee Chair
Joe Norton, Board Member Joe Norton Board Member
Amy Gleklen, Board Member Amy Gleklen Board Member
Samantha Ring, Board Member Samantha Ring Board Member
David Suski, Board Member David Suski Board Member

Get involved

Committees

Our volunteer-run committees are the driving force behind Georgetown Main Street’s work and impact in the community.

Economic Vitality

Chair: Mary Beth Hasty

Uses data-driven strategies to strengthen existing small businesses, oversees the small business grants process, and works with the Executive Director on programs that stabilize Georgetown's small businesses.

  • Determining criteria and selecting grant recipients
  • Analyzing market conditions and baseline data in partnership with the Georgetown BID
  • Annually surveying business operators to determine needs and priorities
  • Establishing programming to educate small businesses on best practices
Events

Chair: Rachel Shank

Plans and executes Georgetown Main Street events, from Art All Night to the Fall Market.

  • Hosting events that attract both locals and tourists to benefit the small business community
  • Integrating fundraising opportunities into all events
  • Recruiting and supporting event volunteers
Community Outreach

Chair: Ann Goldstein

Plans and executes Georgetown Main Street's engagement with the wider Georgetown community.

  • Hosting community events aligned with the interests of neighbors and businesses
  • Increasing GMS visibility through partnerships with community organizations and institutions
  • Identifying volunteers
Marketing & Public Relations

Chair: Melanie Hayes

Engages the neighborhood and promotes Georgetown's small businesses and the organization.

  • Protecting the brand identity of GMS through consistent graphics and communications
  • Producing content to increase engagement and impressions
  • Reviewing communication strategies across social channels, email and print
Governance

Chair: Gwendolyn Coleman

Oversees the organization's governance and board practices.

The Georgetown Main Street board group together on the corridor
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