Capital City Diner Closing Its Doors This Weekend

WASHINGTON -- After nearly two years in business, the Capital City Diner in Ward 5's Trinidad neighborhood will close its doors this weekend. The diner cleared considerable hurdles to reach its opening day, but a message on Capital City's Facebook page explains the decision to close:

Although we received positive response to our recent improvements, we also encountered rising costs, a declining economy, and a national chain "diner" restaurant opening almost a stone's throw away. Now, we must refocus and reformat our restaurant to move forward.

Reactions on Twitter range from disbelief, though most appear saddened.

@tbridge
Tom Bridge

This is a terrible, terrible day. Oh @mattashburn Thank you for everything RT “@dcist_martin: Confirmed: Cap City Diner is closing.

January 27, 2012 4:56 pm via Tweetbot for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

@anc7c04
Sylvia C. Brown

what the heck? RT @dcist_martin Confirmed: Cap City Diner is closing.

January 27, 2012 4:16 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Using the words "refocus" and "reformat" in its notice to customers, there might be a glimmer of hope for the Bladensburg Road restaurant. Washington Business Journal thinks Capital City Diner's departure may not be permanent.

Cap City fans have until Sunday to dine one last time.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[duh]

09:05 PM on 01/29/2012

I'm still in mourning over the passing of Club LT.

[dirtydog1776]

02:39 PM on 01/29/2012

So sad.

Even sadder that most people see vacant small businesses everywhere and do not stop to think about the real reasons as to why they are closing.

Think about it.

[crayola 08b]

02:15 PM on 01/29/2012

whew. before i read the article i was afraid it was about Bob n Edith's diner on columbia pike. now THAT's an example of a dc area institution.

[dirtydog1776]

03:27 AM on 01/29/2012

Washington D.C. is a terrible place to do business....high costs, rent, taxes, inefficient government bureaucracy, inadequate police protection, intrusive bureaucracy.

He should be forced to stay in business. After all, this country needs him to work, pay taxes and produce a profit, so the government can take it him.

[Manda Kelley]

05:15 PM on 01/28/2012

This majorly sucks! We love this place!

[VA Jill]

12:59 PM on 01/28/2012

Wasn't this restaurant featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"? Seems to me it's one we made note of for trips to DC.

[InfinteShibumi]

12:01 PM on 01/28/2012

Further reading indicates the Cap City is "closing to reformat." Not sure exactly what that means, but perhaps the new format won't be drastic from the original.

[KimDC]

06:01 AM on 01/28/2012

Hmm, I've lived in Woodridge (ward 5) for 8 years and have never heard of this place. I have seen the brand new Denny's (gross) on Bladensburg when I drive over to the Hill. Owners should look at Mt. Rainier, I have a business there and the residents (not to mention those of us with the Business Association) would love to have you - there's no place to eat and get coffee in the a.m. there! The price is right too!

[GeorgeP922]

05:50 PM on 01/27/2012

I live in Baltimore, will try and check it out before its gone this weekend.

Owners, come here, not sure if the money is good, but rent aint close to DC.

[Spiritgirl2]

03:44 PM on 01/27/2012

And people would like for US to believe that this is the way "capitalism" works?!? Yeah right......Another independent "small business" is closing - the losers: the neighborhood, those that patronize the establishment, not to mention the owner!!

[dirtydog1776]

03:20 AM on 01/29/2012

Because of the corrupt politicians, Washington D.C. is a terrible place to do business. High taxes and rent, no police protection, inefficient government and lots of bureaucracy enforcing regulations that allegedly "helps the businessman." Not even close to capitalism.

[KimDC]

03:48 PM on 01/29/2012

No kidding, more like cronyism!

[mattashburn]

01:51 PM on 01/27/2012

Thanks for the well-wishes; we really appreciate the support.

-Matt Ashburn
Capital City Diner
[e-mail]

[maternatura]

02:52 AM on 01/28/2012

Hope you can somehow reopen for business. I love diners.

[dirtydog1776]

02:37 PM on 01/29/2012

Live long and Prosper! (Picture me trying to hold up my paw and giving you the Vulcan salute.)