Dozens of restaurants in Washington D.C. have closed their doors amid high rent costs and surging crime, with one business owner admitting he is tired of staff and customers being threatened, robbed and carjacked.
According to the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Association, 52 restaurants in D.C. have shuttered in 2023.
The nation’s capital is grappling with an escalating crime surge, having surpassed a 20-year record-high in homicides with 261 murders as of Dec. 14, according to Metropolitan Police Department data. Robberies are also skyrocketing, increasing 69% year-to-date, while theft is up 24%.
After a tough year for D.C. restaurants in 2022, the new year isn’t off to a great start with several local owners ringing the alarm bell on social media and one chain deciding to leave the District entirely.
Additionally, motor vehicle theft is up 84% and violent crime increased 39% year-over-year.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Nikolas Lanum over at Fox 5 DC
