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A guide to fun things to do in D.C. this weekend.

Axios D.C. Weekender

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

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D.C.'s ban on cashless businesses takes effect

Cashless policies have been controversial for years — and often deemed discriminatory.

News

Metro is mapping out its future with new stations and signs

The Metro board is expected to make a decision on a future expansion later this year.

Remote work declines from pandemic peak in the D.C. area

Over a quarter of the D.C. metro workforce said they "worked from home" in the last week when surveyed recently.

Small town fall festivals worth the trek from D.C.

If you're going overnight, book yesterday.

Things to Do

No cash, no more — D.C. will enforce a law starting Sunday that bans businesses from refusing cash payments.Why it matters: Cashless policies have been controversial for years — and often deemed discriminatory — so there&#x27;s finally clarity on how D.C. businesses should proceed.

More D.C.-area employees <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worked remotely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" data-vars-content-id="4736d665-5864-43c5-8071-2a2538faf801" data-vars-headline="Remote work declines from pandemic peak in the D.C. area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" target="_self">worked remotely</a> last year than much of the country, but the trend dipped sharply from a peak in 2021, per new census figures.Why it matters: Remote work continues to hurt downtown D.C.&#x27;s economy, but workers favor the flexibility and savings — in both time and gas/transit money.

D.C. sees rise in new business openings, Yelp data shows

It's a good measure of economic sentiment.

Business

New business registrations on Yelp were up more than 25% across the D.C. area in July, compared to before the pandemic.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a good measure of economic sentiment — people generally don&#x27;t take the risk of spinning up a new venture if they foresee economic peril.

How I Wake Up: Jim VandeHei

Axios cofounder Jim VandeHei talks about transcendental meditation and more.

We&#x27;ve been intrigued by Jim VandeHei&#x27;s new interest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transcendental meditation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/27/axios-finish-line-readers-transcendental-meditation" data-vars-content-id="b942f5b0-5f71-4077-bc7c-2cca0c4e9a7b" data-vars-headline="How I Wake Up: Jim VandeHei" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/04/27/axios-finish-line-readers-transcendental-meditation" target="_self">transcendental meditation</a>, described in his column about life and leadership in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Finish Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-finish-line" data-vars-content-id="b942f5b0-5f71-4077-bc7c-2cca0c4e9a7b" data-vars-headline="How I Wake Up: Jim VandeHei" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-finish-line" target="_self">Axios Finish Line</a> newsletter.<ul><li>So we caught up with our Axios co-founder/CEO, who also co-founded Politico, to hear how he starts his days in the uber-busy media universe.</li></ul>

Photo illustration collage of Jim VandeHei inside a red alarm clock.

José Andrés launches "Mediterranean-inspired" gourmet dog food

Chef. Humanitarian. Gourmet dog food purveyor? José Andrés adds to his increasingly diverse resume with a new line of &quot;Mediterranean-inspired&quot; pet food launching in October.What&#x27;s happening: The &quot;Longer Tables&quot; podcaster is now building bigger bowls with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reál Mesa" data-vars-click-url="https://realmesapetfood.com/" data-vars-content-id="96ce62b8-e419-456a-9b0a-16696171ea61" data-vars-headline="José Andrés launches &quot;Mediterranean-inspired&quot; gourmet dog food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://realmesapetfood.com/" target="_blank">Reál Mesa</a>, a &quot;chef-curated&quot; line of dog food with a mission to &quot;nourish the relationships between families and their pets through elevated meal experiences.&quot;

Andres Jose feeds three dogs from his new line of gourmet pet food

Capital One opens new lounge at Dulles Airport

It's the latest salvo in the arms race for airport perks between credit card issuers.

Capital One opens a lounge at Dulles Airport on Thursday, the latest move in the air travel perks wars between big credit card companies.Why it matters: The lounge is a splashy addition to Dulles, coming as its leadership tries to improve traveler experience and after the extension of Silver Line Metro service earlier this year boosted the airport&#x27;s accessibility.

An airline traveler exits the Capital One lounge

How D.C. became an ice cream boomtown

You can't throw a cone without hitting an independent or boutique scoop shop.

Food and Drink

D.C.&#x27;s ice cream scene is booming.Why it matters: Much of the city felt like an ice cream desert a few years ago, or overly commercial. Now you can&#x27;t throw a cone without hitting an independent or boutique scoop shop.

Ice Cream Jubilee cones against a blue background with berries and flowers

Luxury furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is closing

A letter to employees said the economic climate has presented challenges in securing additional financing to continue operations.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mgbwhome.com/" data-vars-content-id="af4b413f-4a64-4e00-b5e3-f507561e14ad" data-vars-headline="Luxury furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is closing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mgbwhome.com/" target="_blank">Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams</a> is abruptly shutting down.Why it matters: The luxury furniture brand, whose Logan Circle flagship location opened in 2007, spans 24 showrooms from Tysons to Beverly Hills, drawing high-profile customers including Hillary Clinton.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furniture store on 14th Street

Montgomery County to join tipped minimum wage fight

Servers and bartenders have long battled on both sides of the movement, with many arguing that they make more with tips.

The fight to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers is escalating in Maryland.What&#x27;s happening: Legislation will soon be introduced in Montgomery County, Prince George&#x27;s County, and others that could increase what employers must pay tipped staff.

an illustration of a 100 dollar bill on a fork

IKEA opens in Arlington

No more schlepping to Woodbridge or College Park.

Ikea finally opens a location near D.C. today with a showroom and design center in Pentagon City.Why it matters: The<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" new Ikea" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/stores/plan-and-order-point-arlington/" data-vars-content-id="9c9fdfaa-609e-4600-ba08-04bd09f6739f" data-vars-headline="IKEA opens in Arlington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/stores/plan-and-order-point-arlington/" target="_blank"> new Ikea</a> is easily accessible to D.C. — no more schlepping to Woodbridge or College Park — and offers an exciting new store format for affordable design fans.

Ikea opens an Arlington location at Pentagon Centre

Business 🏦