Penn Branch Shopping Center (Image Credit: DC Office of Planning)

You are now located at the Shops at Penn Branch, at 3202 Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

Penn Branch hosts a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, office space, a fitness center, a salon, and a convenience store.  Operated by Jair Lynch Real Estate, the 89,000 square foot shopping center is fully leased. 

Fairfax Village Shopping Center (Image Credit: DC Office on Planning)

Other shopping centers in the area include Fairfax Village Shopping Center (map) which encompasses a myriad of businesses from the U.S. Postal Service to restaurants, salons and markets.

Ward 7 small businesses (Image Credit:  Ward 7 Business Partnership)

There are many community groups and civic organizations advocating for continued investment. Some of these groups include:

  • The Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street initiative works to support businesses along the Pennsylvania Ave, SE corridor from the John P. Sousa Bridge to Southern Ave, SE.  Managed by Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, it’s a designated D.C. Main Street program. Follow them on Facebook.
  • Pennsylvania Avenue East Community Coalition (PAECC) was formed in February of 2020 and is comprised of community civic association presidents and/or community activists who live in the nearby neighborhoods of Dupont Park, Fairlawn, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands, who are working together to bring long-overdue development to the area. The coalition is on Twitter.
  • Ward 7 Business Partnership provides professional services to small- and medium-sized businesses as well as to larger companies in Ward 7. The Partnership specializes in business development and helped many businesses become a success. Learn more at https://wardseven.com and find them on Facebook. 
  • The Penn Branch Community Association is led by neighborhood residents to promote the welfare of the community and to motivate constructive participation in the civic affairs of the District of Columbia. Connect with the association on Twitter and Facebook.

Have an idea? If you have a suggestion for sustainable growth and economic development resources and groups that we should list here, please use our suggestion form to add your ideas, and optionally to be contacted when we meet to revise this page content.

ADDITIONAL READING:


East of the River: Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street Needs You by Elizabeth O’Gorek on April 2021