DC gov giving $50,000 to restaurants "to remain operational"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

Because it’s not your tax dollars being spent. You don’t get a vote. We don’t care what you think about how our money is spent.

Stop pretending to speak for all DC residents. Most of us do not agree with your craziness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

I think all restaurants are highly dependent on customers who don't live in their immediate vicinity. Even in DC, there's not enough people who live close by to support them, unless you think everyone in the neighborhood is going to *constantly* go to their nearby restaurants. I dont want to always go to the same place. This is why parking matters. Restaurants need to be able to attract people who don't live nearby.

DC has decided you need to ride your bicycle everywhere. Even at 8 pm when wanting a decent meal. It'd be nice to be Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but we are not and different realities exist.

The problem for mediocre restaurants in DC is no one beyond walking distance wants to bother with all the hassle to enjoy overpriced mediocre food in a mediocre setting. Lower the prices and do a little something about the atmosphere and vibe, and you might get some local 20 and 30 somethings wandering in. But restaurant owners won't do that, because they are usually idiots. And relying on people in Maryland and Virginia to make the journey to save their asses has not been a wonderful strategy in recent years. But they get a $50,000 check regardless, so they don't need to compete for another month or two.

[Anonymous]

The whole point of RTO was to keep restaurants going. Where y'all at?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole point of RTO was to keep restaurants going. Where y'all at?

I-82 blew up the industry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is the road go hell always paved with progressive ideas?

Central planning has a miserable track record, but it makes government more fun for politicians. It is like a free laboratory for their stupid ideas.

Really wish more of those folks had managed to score dates to the prom back in the day. They might have lives of their own to manage and we would all be better off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the road go hell always paved with progressive ideas?

Central planning has a miserable track record, but it makes government more fun for politicians. It is like a free laboratory for their stupid ideas.

Really wish more of those folks had managed to score dates to the prom back in the day. They might have lives of their own to manage and we would all be better off.

How dare you! Central planning works because the government only hires the best and brightest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

Because it’s not your tax dollars being spent. You don’t get a vote. We don’t care what you think about how our money is spent.

Stop pretending to speak for all DC residents. Most of us do not agree with your craziness.

Oh, so you're ok with non-residents telling you how to spend your tax dollars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

I think all restaurants are highly dependent on customers who don't live in their immediate vicinity. Even in DC, there's not enough people who live close by to support them, unless you think everyone in the neighborhood is going to *constantly* go to their nearby restaurants. I dont want to always go to the same place. This is why parking matters. Restaurants need to be able to attract people who don't live nearby.

DC has decided you need to ride your bicycle everywhere. Even at 8 pm when wanting a decent meal. It'd be nice to be Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but we are not and different realities exist.

The problem for mediocre restaurants in DC is no one beyond walking distance wants to bother with all the hassle to enjoy overpriced mediocre food in a mediocre setting. Lower the prices and do a little something about the atmosphere and vibe, and you might get some local 20 and 30 somethings wandering in. But restaurant owners won't do that, because they are usually idiots. And relying on people in Maryland and Virginia to make the journey to save their asses has not been a wonderful strategy in recent years. But they get a $50,000 check regardless, so they don't need to compete for another month or two.

DC would be so much nicer if everyone drove everywhere, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

Because it’s not your tax dollars being spent. You don’t get a vote. We don’t care what you think about how our money is spent.

Stop pretending to speak for all DC residents. Most of us do not agree with your craziness.

Oh, so you're ok with non-residents telling you how to spend your tax dollars?

DC practically runs on federal government grants. That's not just the resident's tax dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

I think all restaurants are highly dependent on customers who don't live in their immediate vicinity. Even in DC, there's not enough people who live close by to support them, unless you think everyone in the neighborhood is going to *constantly* go to their nearby restaurants. I dont want to always go to the same place. This is why parking matters. Restaurants need to be able to attract people who don't live nearby.

DC has decided you need to ride your bicycle everywhere. Even at 8 pm when wanting a decent meal. It'd be nice to be Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but we are not and different realities exist.

The problem for mediocre restaurants in DC is no one beyond walking distance wants to bother with all the hassle to enjoy overpriced mediocre food in a mediocre setting. Lower the prices and do a little something about the atmosphere and vibe, and you might get some local 20 and 30 somethings wandering in. But restaurant owners won't do that, because they are usually idiots. And relying on people in Maryland and Virginia to make the journey to save their asses has not been a wonderful strategy in recent years. But they get a $50,000 check regardless, so they don't need to compete for another month or two.

DC would be so much nicer if everyone drove everywhere, right?

That's a nonesense retort. People do drive. Distances are too far and density is way too low for restaurants to be completely dependent on neighborhood patronage.

The transportation policies of 2022 are one of the main causes of the problem and it was entirely foretold. The unwillingness to wrestle with that fact is delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of fairly good restaurants in the 'burbs. You can eat pretty well in Rockville or Arlington. And not have to deal with parking issues. Or crime or harassment issues. If you are coming from the suburbs, a DC restaurant has to make it worthwhile. An event restaurant. And there are very few to make it worth the hassle. Plus all the surcharges DC restaurants often add to the check. It's generally not worth it on a Thursday evening.

And 20 and 30-somethings in DC aren't going out like they used to. For lots of reasons. Price being the big one. But also they don't drink much these days. And they have their online whatever communities and very cheap weed and gummies. Much more affordable than a $20 dirty martini at a mediocre restaurant with questionable vibes.

Where is the value of going to most DC restaurants? They are not competing with food, price, ambience, service, vibe, or convenience. I really can't think of much of a reason to go downtown for dinner unless for a special restaurant. Of which there are not many.

Yet another poster who doesn't live here.

Who cares if they live in DC or not? Many restaurants are or were dependent on customers coming in from outside of DC.

I think all restaurants are highly dependent on customers who don't live in their immediate vicinity. Even in DC, there's not enough people who live close by to support them, unless you think everyone in the neighborhood is going to *constantly* go to their nearby restaurants. I dont want to always go to the same place. This is why parking matters. Restaurants need to be able to attract people who don't live nearby.

DC has decided you need to ride your bicycle everywhere. Even at 8 pm when wanting a decent meal. It'd be nice to be Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but we are not and different realities exist.

The problem for mediocre restaurants in DC is no one beyond walking distance wants to bother with all the hassle to enjoy overpriced mediocre food in a mediocre setting. Lower the prices and do a little something about the atmosphere and vibe, and you might get some local 20 and 30 somethings wandering in. But restaurant owners won't do that, because they are usually idiots. And relying on people in Maryland and Virginia to make the journey to save their asses has not been a wonderful strategy in recent years. But they get a $50,000 check regardless, so they don't need to compete for another month or two.

DC would be so much nicer if everyone drove everywhere, right?

That's a nonesense retort. People do drive. Distances are too far and density is way too low for restaurants to be completely dependent on neighborhood patronage.

The transportation policies of 2022 are one of the main causes of the problem and it was entirely foretold. The unwillingness to wrestle with that fact is delusional.

Oh, so which people should be able to drive if you don't think we should build enough for everyone to be able to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe VA and MD should chip in to keep these restaurants open for them

This is very Trump-y, creating a problem and then, instead of undoing the problem, coming up with absurd workarounds to try to offset the effects of the problem you created. How about we just get rid of I-82? And stop making traffic terrible? And giving people places to park? We don't need to put restaurants on the public payroll.

The DC government does so much stupid shit. This is a terrible use of tax dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I-82 blew up the industry

Donald Trump blew up the industry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is the road go hell always paved with progressive ideas?

The problem is our current orange dictator has destroyed the local economy thanks to DOGE (all while pillaging citizens’ data, appointing drunkards and tv stars to leadership positions, and making himself and his billionaire buddies even wealthier).

And to the extent any jobs have been “gained” in this region, they’re mostly lower paying jobs that do not actually make up for the lost white collar jobs because no one in either party seems to want to reign in private equity, limit H1Bs, or regulate AI in order to salvage decent-paying knowledge jobs. Then add in a stupid war, inflation, spiking gas prices (which makes the cost of transporting food more expensive), and lack of leisure time due to strict RTO and people working multiple gig jobs, and many people just do not have the time nor money to go out to an expensive restaurant on any frequent basis.

Also the cost of everything like college, housing, etc. is through the roof. I’d rather add to my kids’ 529s than pay for a sitter to go eat a $200 dinner somewhere nice.

DC has the highest unemployment rate in the country and our government and the mayoral candidates have no plan to try to fix it, except blame Trump.

Well, it is Trump's fault.

[Anonymous]

The entire economics of the restaurant industry is a mess and has been for a very long time.