Wearing a cloth face mask in public is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and, in some scenarios, mandatory in D.C. As part of the latest emergency measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered workers, customers, and visitors to grocery stores and hotels to wear protective masks.
With a flood of demand, many restaurants around town are adding masks to their online menus. Some are tapping talented sewers to add fashionable flair to the essential accessory designed to shield the mouth and nose.
Here’s a list of where to find non-medical grade face masks, bandanas, and scarves, with a majority of proceeds going towards restaurant employees.
DC Brau: The D.C. brewer just started selling branded masks on its website. For every mask sold ($12), the team will donate one to a restaurant worker in the region.
Pub & the People: The corner neighborhood pub, open for takeout 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, just restocked its masked inventory in fun new fabrics (think Batman). Small, medium and large sizes available ($15). 1648 North Capitol Street NW
HalfSmoke: Shaw’s spot for half-smokes sells washable cotton masks for $12 on behalf of Rendered Inc. All profits go back to the local vendor. The handmade coverings come in floral, geometric, and flannel patterns. Limit four per household. 651 Florida Avenue NW
All-Purpose Riverfront: Click on colorful face coverings under the “specials” section on the pizzeria’s dinner menu. Masks are made and sewn by chef Adam McClendon’s mom, and all proceeds support its employee fund. Fabrics show love for Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, cats, dogs, and comic strips. Masks ($10 each) come in kid’s and adult sizes. 79 Potomac Avenue SE
The Alibi: The Capitol Hill pub’s re-usable, washable face masks are sewn by unemployed pastry chef Milka Zukic, who works at the Serbian Embassy. They’re made out of 100 percent cotton white cloth napkins ($12 each), complete with satin adjustable ties. Profits go to Zukic. 237 2nd Street NW
The Grill: Along with marinated to-go meats and cooking kits, the new steak place on the Southwest Waterfront bulks up on for-sale sanitation supplies, which includes disposable masks, gloves, and bleach. Each mask is $4.99, and customers can order a maximum of five. 99 Market Square SW
Shop Made in DC: The community for D.C. makers has an entire section devoted to cotton face masks on its website. Dingus Designs makes masks branded with Miller High Life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Pokemon designs. The colorful coverings typically sell out in 30 minutes after being restocked, owner Stacey Price tells Eater. There are still some adult and kid’s sizes left from Auggie Froggie ($16), with playful bug and bicycle designs.
Maxwell Park: The wine bar in Shaw and Navy Yard rolled out a “non-essential wine” shop that includes cloth masks ($20 each), along with themed t-shirts, hand sanitizer, wine glasses, and Hackleback caviar by the ounce (last page). Email orders any time to hello@maxwellparkdc.com for pickup and delivery on Thursdays.
Founding Farmers: The farmer-owned chain’s Tysons Corner, D.C., and Montgomery County locations just opened an online marketplace taking 24/7 orders for curbside pick-up and delivery (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily). Disposable, three-layer protective masks come in packs of five ($12.50); limit two per order. Multiple locations
Heist: The underground Dupont Circle nightclub just started shipping washable, black masks marked with its #HeistHappened motto ($15), with all proceeds donated to staff.
Capitol Cider House: The Petworth cidery and taproom is making bandanas ($5) that play up its patriotic color scheme. Available for pickup and delivery starting Wednesday, April 29. Pre-sales are now live. 3930 Georgia Avenue NW
Local artist Kelly Towles, whose iconic murals appear at DC Brau and Toki Underground, is selling an array of D.C.-themed masks and merch on his website.
Some restaurant employees are putting their sewing skills to work during the down time. A server at Martin’s Tavern has been crafting masks for hospitals and nursing homes: