Many businesses have shuttered several brick-and-mortar retail units as their customers migrate to the Internet. The closing rate escalated when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This change in how people do business has also changed how three small businesses operate: Khismet Wearable Art, Niani Gallery, and Anthony Driver Designs.

When fashion designer Millee Spears opened Khismet Wearable Arts at the Belmont Arts Center in DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood in 2002, gentrification was oozing into the area, and the COVID-19 pandemic was miles away. Since that decade, about 20,000 bank branches have closed, and American Banker confirms that banks are investing more in their online platforms.

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And, like many in personal sales who often see potential customers take pictures of store items to see if they can find them cheaper on the interment, Spears and Driver echo Sangare-King when he adds, "My items are one of a kind and not mass produced. You won't find them on the Internet."

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Khismet Wearable Arts has followed that trend. Seeing the wave, Spears claimed the Khismet name for the Internet in 1993. However, it wasn't until 2013 that she robustly operated her online store.  Jewelry designer Louis Sangare-King followed the same pattern. He claimed his online name in 2000, but the pandemic forced him to invest in his online store in 2020. "I had no choice," he said, "no special shows or events were happening to set up a booth and sale."

Being online has its drawbacks. While you don't have to look for a location and pay the first and last month's rent as you have to do with a storefront and get to the store six days a week, says Spears, with an online store, "You have to pay for a domain name, continue advertising, and adjust your merchandise seasonally."

The need to advertise is what all three echoes. "I quickly learned that I must advertise to draw people to my online store. I am considering hiring a social media specialist," says Sangare-King.

While Anthony Driver cannot make sales transactions on his Instagram page, he uses it instead of an old-fashioned paper catalog. His online presence is central to his marketing strategy. "I put things I make on my Instagram page and post the events where I am going to be," he says.

When not at special events and pop-ups, Driver is at Eastern Market on the weekends. His "spot" is just outside of the door near C Street, SE.  "The first door from the C Street side you use to enter the market, he affirms.

Driver says he has noticed more events and pop-ups in the DC Metro area.  Sangere-King says that is good, but his webpage "has become complimentary to the events where we are a vendor." And, like many in personal sales who often see potential customers take pictures of store items to see if they can find them cheaper on the interment, Spears and Driver echo Sangare-King when he adds, "My items are one of a kind and not mass produced. You won't find them on the Internet."

Upcoming Showings:

Khismet Wearable Arts
(202) 413-0802

Niani Gallery
Gallery Article 15
1624 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC
Sat, Jun 8, noon-7p, free

Anthony Driver Designs
Eastern Market – next to the first door
225 7th St, SE
Washington, DC
Sats, 8a-6p, Suns 8a-5p, free