The city’s Department of Community Development is offering its Best Retail Practices Program for retailers, restaurateurs and storefront business owners in Cambridge.The program gives advice to independent retailers in store and restaurant design, layout and visual merchandising, customer service and traditional and social media marketing.

The three-part program begins with a free two-and-a-half-hour workshop with examples of best practices from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 in the community room at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway.  Christine Moynihan of Retail Visioning will present the workshop.

Afterward, qualified business owners can apply to be one of 10 businesses getting a free one-on-one, in-store consultation session with Moynihan, ending in a written report with specific ideas and recommendations for improving their businesses. Qualifying businesses will also have the chance to apply for up to $2,000 in federal grants to implement the improvements.

All are invited, but seating is limited. For information and to register call Pardis Saffari at (617) 349-4654 or send e-mail to  [email protected].