Globalization In Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan is an extremely diverse neighborhood, and it has a long history as an immigrant melting pot. This is seen predominantly in the diversity of its businesses along 18^th Street and Columbia road. Business establishments in Adams Morgan serve clientele of all socioeconomic levels, and the neighborhood does not cater itself solely towards a specific group of people.

Many of the businesses in Adams Morgan are restaurants, and a large variety of cuisines are represented. Indian, Italian, Chinese, Ethiopian, American, Peruvian, and Hispanic restaurants are all present in the neighborhood, as are a variety of coffee shops, frozen yogurt shops, and chocolatiers.

A popular Hispanic restaurant. 

Those patronizing the restaurants are not limited to young, single urbanites, and many restaurants have a clientele that reflects the ethnicity of their food.

In addition to restaurants, Adams Morgan has other kinds of businesses that add to the neighborhood diversity. A Shop selling Himalayan clothing and baskets, vintage clothing stores, an architectural antiques store, a Halal meat market, stores dedicated to “alternative culture” (the store I thought was a news stand turned out to be a head shop), and most of DC's remaining record stores are all located within Adams Morgan.

Interesting wall art...

Cupcakes yes please. 

In addition to these, there are also many dry cleaning stores, convenience stores, take out pizza restaurants, and a Middle Eastern news outlet, many of which cater to a specific, lower income, clientele.

One of infinitely many dry cleaners in Adams Morgan

 Middle Eastern bookstore

Liquor store and take out restaurant on Columbia Road

There are also many signs of the global economy in Adams Morgan. Several banks are located in the neighborhood, and Verizon Wireless, Raido Shack, Cricket Mobile, Safeway, Game Stop, McDonalds', and CVS Pharmacy have all opened up stores in the neighborhood.

Uh oh

There's also a Starbucks across the street. Go figure. 

Adams Morgan has no Metro station inside its bounds, something that may have helped to preserve its ethnic and economic diversity, as there was no impetus for massive redevelopment or rise in real-estate prices. Instead, frequent bus service is provided by both Metrobus and the DC circulator. Future streetcar service to the neighborhood is also planned, but there is no time frame for this.

The streets of Adams Morgan are decorated with banners promoting the neighborhood and the activities that one can do in it, serving as advertising to tourists and helping to define the boundaries of the neighborhood.  

Tours are offered....