From the Newsstands: This article appeared in The Eagle’s December 2025 print edition which can be viewed here.
Economic crisis and an unstable government in Venezuela left Dario Berti to face a difficult choice. At his daughter’s request, Berti and his family packed up their business to move to D.C., leaving their home country in 2017.
Berti, a Washington College of Law alumnus, is the owner of Arcay Chocolates. He said he and his wife, Anabella Arcay, started their business in Venezuela in 2006. Arcay started as a master chocolatier and later received 42 medals at the International Chocolate Awards. Their son and daughter also work for the company.
“I feel so happy because what we do is we give joy,” Berti said.
They transferred their business to D.C., starting as a kiosk in Union Market. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair opened a location in Georgetown.
Arcay Chocolates is not the only success story — immigrant-owned businesses are an integral part of D.C’s culture and thrive with customer support, despite various obstacles.
The Popal Group, another family-owned immigrant business, owns D.C. restaurants Lapis, Pascual, Lutèce, Lapop and Maison Bar à Vins. Zubair Popal is the chief executive officer and owner and his wife, Shamin Popal, is the executive chef of Lapis.
The Popal family was forced to flee Afghanistan in 1978 following the Soviet invasion. In 2007, they established Napoleon Bistro, now Lapis, a modern Afghan bistro.
“Being an Afghan and providing service to consumers, actually, it gives a great satisfaction when the people really enjoy the outcome of your work,” Zubair Popal said in an interview with The Eagle.
Not all immigrant-owned businesses are family operations. Dina Daniel, the chef and founder of Fava Pot, left Egypt, where her family still resides, in 2004. Despite this, Daniel found family at her restaurant.
“I have family away from my home country with my team, even though you are not blood related,” Daniel said.
Daniel said she started her business as a food truck in 2012. In 2016, she opened her first location in Dupont Circle.
These restaurants have adapted to different challenges. Due to the pandemic, Popal and Daniel added a to-go business and Berti started selling products online.
“I [was] blessed with very good landlords during the pandemic, where they worked with us to stay in business [and] I have been blessed with a great community,” Daniel said.
Popal, Berti and Daniel all recognize that customer support paved their path to success. Berti said his favorite part about Arcay Chocolates is forming connections.
“I always say I have the sweetest job, but the sweetest thing about my job are my clients,” Berti said. “Purchasers give you the sense that you are not alone and that you are doing something unique for them.”
This article was edited by Gabrielle McNamee, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Emma Brown, Avery Grossman, Audrey Smith, Ava Stuzin and Ariana Kavoossi. Fact-checking done by Aidan Crowe.
