The Shops on 19th & G
Two blocks away from the White House and neighboring the IMF and the World Bank, Tresses salon & Reiter's books are two of the few small businesses that are still operating in the heart of Washington. While being overlooked in a city filled with famous politicians and white-collar workers, they are still essential to those in the area. While Reiter's has been on the street corner for more than eighty years, Tresses is still a rookie in the game. However, they soon found themselves in the same battle - struggling to keep the businesses alive.
With the World Bank reselling their property, Tresses and Reiter's will soon be negotiating a new lease with their new landlord. “I don't know what will happen, we are nervous," said João, who purchased the salon back in 2019 and has been the owner ever since, “I heard they are going to increase it by more than a thousand dollars per month, that's a lot of money." Josue, who has been working at Reiter's for more than 20 years, shares the similar feelings with João as the change of ownership approaches. “We don't know what will happen, but I think it will be difficult."
This story documents the day-to-day businesses of the stores on 19th & G street and the journeys of João & Josue, two hustling immigrants with their American dreams fighting to keep their businesses alive.
Click on the thumbnails below or here to read the stories.
