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There will soon be fewer outdoor dining options around the District.
D.C.’s Temporary Streatery Program, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local businesses, will end on Nov. 30. It allowed restaurants to set up curbside dining during a time when people were barred from eating indoors in groups.
鈥淭he businesses couldn’t have survived the pandemic without it,鈥� said Kristen Barden, executive director of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID. 鈥淚t was a real lifeline.鈥�
The has created a permanent Streatery Program with big changes. The space for the streatery used to be free, but businesses must now pay $20 per square foot. They will also have to pay for the barriers plus any permits and fees.
Barden said the additional costs are not feasible for businesses already struggling with rising food and labor costs.
鈥淚t’s kind of disappointing that the city doesn’t see this more as a revenue generator,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he sales taxes alone should more than compensate these fees that they’re trying to impose.鈥�
Thirty-three businesses in Adams Morgan have temporary streateries, but Barden said only three restaurants plan to make them permanent.
Coffee shop Tryst on 18th Street NW will not keep their curbside dining. Assistant General Manager Zain Imdad told 海角精品黑料 it鈥檚 been nice having the extra space for customers and staff, but estimates that making it permanent would cost $5,000 to $6,000 a month.
鈥淚 think the price is extremely high,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat’s not worth it for most of the businesses around here.鈥�
Fortunately, he doesn鈥檛 anticipate the decision will hurt business. Most of their customers prefer sitting inside or grabbing their drinks to go.
鈥淔or the time that we had it, we took advantage of it and we enjoyed it,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut at this point, I think it’s time to say goodbye.鈥�
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