Final Project Proposal - Jessica Harper

As the economic downturn forces businesses to close their doors, privately-owned operations especially struggle to stay afloat. Still, some manage to keep their doors open. I want to visit five or six family/privately owned restaurants and clothing shops and interview owners and customers. How has the financial fallout affected the way the owners operate ther buisnesses? How has it affected the way their customers shop? Have they made any adjustments as a result? Has business fluctuated? Has it stayed the same? I plan to visit businesses in the U Street, Eastern Market and Adams Morgan neighborhoods to get a variety of perspectives. I propose a 3-4 minute audio-slide show and the topic, "How the District's Small Businesses Weather the Economic Downturn."