A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Denny's Comes to Bladensburg Road
A reader writes in that a Denny's is setting up shop at 17th and Bladensburg Road (just south of Mt. Olivet Road and Eddie's Carryout). This will be the second Denny's in the District.
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I would only ever go to this Denny's if the Capitol City Diner was closed, like on a late weeknight.
It's good to see some jobs coming to this area, but I hope it doesn't crush the existing diner, which is THE GREATEST.
Yea. Sort of conflicted by this. On one hand it's great that this area can attract a national chain, but I'm all about supporting local businesses. I just can't think of any reason why I would go to Denny's when we have Cap City Diner down the street, not to mention the growing number of locally owned restaurants on H ST
yeah, if you're a 20something urban cool kid, this kind of sucks. but if you are a vested resident of this city interested in our economic revitalization, this is great news! people saying, oh i would rather go to the capitol city diner never say the same thing when a new bar opens. you don't have to personally go there to reap the benefits.
it's more options people! it's more activity. Denny's will attract families and non- bar crowds. things like this may also help KEEP families from moving. this is amazing to see bladensburg avenue popping!
Not interested. Denny's restaurant chain has a history of discriminatory practices. I'd choose the Diner. And before anyone says "that was years ago" -- just know that I also refuse to buy Tommy Hilfiger products and refuse to go to South Carolina any more.
@Anon 11:47: If you were really a vested local resident like you claim, you'd know that it's Bladensburg Rd, not Avenue. Denny's sucks, plain and simple.
I wish for development on Bladensburg Rd, but not this kind of boring, suburban development. We need more small, local, kitschy places with character.
The Denny's on Benning Rd is minority owned. I think it is the largest grossing Denny's in the country. 60% of employees are from Ward 7. Who is the franchisee? That is the question you need to be asking.
Discrimination lawsuits have certainly occurred in the past, but I doubt that they will be much of a problem at this location. Given the racial make-up of the neighborhood, the franchisee would guarantee his bankruptcy if he turned away people of color.
You're right. Franchises are suburban, hence, boring and stupid and have NO place in the city.
Listen, if you really want small, local, kitschy places, then quit whining and open a small, local, kitschy business. Otherwise you come across as insufferably entitled and preachy.
Is a Denny's the ideal development? Probably not. Is it a hell of a lot better than a used car lot? Yes. A certain amount of franchises in urban locations are all but inevitable.
First, competition will help motivate the other local places in the area improve.
Second, the Denny's in Ward 7 is the best, cleanest, friendliest Denny's I have ever been to. I was in the military for many years and visited my fair share nationwide, so I do know what I am talking about. Not to mention, when you don't like something you can fill out the Denny's online complaint site and the manager calls you within a day to rectify the issue.
I hope the Denny's closer to our area is managed by the same people that care about standards and service as much as the Ward 7 one.
As with most of the new fly by night additions & attractions to the area, he Capitol City Diner stinks.... After 40 yrs in this area where both my parents & grandparents also owned homes... I never dreamed that I'd 1 day be surrounded by yuppies, bars, & wild drunk 20somethings. Welcome Denny's, Hopefully the family vibe will once again return to zip code 20002.
The Denny's will be owned by the same gentleman that owns the one on Benning Road. He is a working owner, which I appreciate. He and his right hand manager are visible, which is good. I am excited that they are local owners that focus on quality. The changed staff last year for that reason. It is a great move for the community.
The Denny's is going to thrive in this area. Its going to attract different people and I am excited that its opening next month. Capitol City Diner needs to come up with a $2 and $4 menu, otherwise there goes there cheap buyers.
19 comments:
I would only ever go to this Denny's if the Capitol City Diner was closed, like on a late weeknight.
It's good to see some jobs coming to this area, but I hope it doesn't crush the existing diner, which is THE GREATEST.
Yea. Sort of conflicted by this. On one hand it's great that this area can attract a national chain, but I'm all about supporting local businesses. I just can't think of any reason why I would go to Denny's when we have Cap City Diner down the street, not to mention the growing number of locally owned restaurants on H ST
If this Denny's is anything like the one on Benning Road... no thanks.
It should improve business at Cap city diner because more people will feel comfortable coming to the street.
yeah, if you're a 20something urban cool kid, this kind of sucks. but if you are a vested resident of this city interested in our economic revitalization, this is great news! people saying, oh i would rather go to the capitol city diner never say the same thing when a new bar opens. you don't have to personally go there to reap the benefits.
it's more options people! it's more activity. Denny's will attract families and non- bar crowds. things like this may also help KEEP families from moving. this is amazing to see bladensburg avenue popping!
Not interested. Denny's restaurant chain has a history of discriminatory practices. I'd choose the Diner. And before anyone says "that was years ago" -- just know that I also refuse to buy Tommy Hilfiger products and refuse to go to South Carolina any more.
@Anon 11:47: If you were really a vested local resident like you claim, you'd know that it's Bladensburg Rd, not Avenue. Denny's sucks, plain and simple.
I wish for development on Bladensburg Rd, but not this kind of boring, suburban development. We need more small, local, kitschy places with character.
anon 4:23,
you caught my lie. i'm an unvested foreigner because i wrote avenue.
idiot.
The Denny's on Benning Rd is minority owned. I think it is the largest grossing Denny's in the country. 60% of employees are from Ward 7.
Who is the franchisee? That is the question you need to be asking.
Ward 7 resident
One of many reasons to be wary of Denny's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denny%27s#Racial_discrimination_lawsuits
Discrimination lawsuits have certainly occurred in the past, but I doubt that they will be much of a problem at this location. Given the racial make-up of the neighborhood, the franchisee would guarantee his bankruptcy if he turned away people of color.
@Anon 11:47:
You're right. Franchises are suburban, hence, boring and stupid and have NO place in the city.
Listen, if you really want small, local, kitschy places, then quit whining and open a small, local, kitschy business. Otherwise you come across as insufferably entitled and preachy.
Is a Denny's the ideal development? Probably not. Is it a hell of a lot better than a used car lot? Yes. A certain amount of franchises in urban locations are all but inevitable.
If you don't like Denny's... eat somewhere else.
Seems like a smart move to me. They are trying to capitalize on Walmart and the Atlas Flats.
First, competition will help motivate the other local places in the area improve.
Second, the Denny's in Ward 7 is the best, cleanest, friendliest Denny's I have ever been to. I was in the military for many years and visited my fair share nationwide, so I do know what I am talking about. Not to mention, when you don't like something you can fill out the Denny's online complaint site and the manager calls you within a day to rectify the issue.
I hope the Denny's closer to our area is managed by the same people that care about standards and service as much as the Ward 7 one.
Russ
To the ano above who said, "also refuse to buy Tommy Hilfiger products"
Please note, the stories of his racism are untrue: http://www.snopes.com/racial/business/hilfiger.asp
denny's wouldn't be terrible, but the building itself will suck.
a parking lot is not what we need. this is an urban neighborhood. build urban. respect the advantages of that.
As with most of the new fly by night additions & attractions to the area, he Capitol City Diner stinks.... After 40 yrs in this area where both my parents & grandparents also owned homes... I never dreamed that I'd 1 day be surrounded by yuppies, bars, & wild drunk 20somethings. Welcome Denny's, Hopefully the family vibe will once again return to zip code 20002.
The Denny's will be owned by the same gentleman that owns the one on Benning Road. He is a working owner, which I appreciate. He and his right hand manager are visible, which is good. I am excited that they are local owners that focus on quality. The changed staff last year for that reason. It is a great move for the community.
The Denny's is going to thrive in this area. Its going to attract different people and I am excited that its opening next month. Capitol City Diner needs to come up with a $2 and $4 menu, otherwise there goes there cheap buyers.
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