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D.C. restaurants face sharp business decline amid ongoing federal police presence.
WASHINGTON — D.C. restaurants are reporting another dip in business as the federal police surge stretches into September.
Data from the reservation site OpenTable shows reservations at D.C. restaurants fell again last week, down as much as 14% on Sept. 1 and 10% on Sunday, compared to the same time last year.
Restaurant and bar owners across the city say those numbers are showing up in their bottom lines.
In Mount Pleasant, Don Juan Restaurant owner Alberto Ferrufino said he’s seen business fall sharply since the federal police surge began in August.
“I can tell you there used to be at least 40, 60 people (on the) patio,” Ferrufino said. “20, 25 people inside, but now it is no one.”
“It used to be, when all the customers came in, we made $8,000 per day. Now maybe $3,000 or $4,000.”
Other restaurant owners in Mount Pleasant and Adams Morgan told WUSA9 they didn’t want to go on camera but reported similar losses, most estimating a 30% to 50% drop compared to August 2024.
The end of summer is often a slow stretch for restaurants, but owners say this year has been worse. Many blame the federal police surge for discouraging customers and making it difficult for employees.
Whether it’s dine-in or take-out, a number of managers said the uncertainty of DC during this time has hurt business like no summer before.
“Last year or previous years we were saving some money in the summer,” Ferrufino said. “This time, it’s never been like it is right now.”
After a month of empty seats and sparse streets, Ferrufino says he has warned his employees that the restaurant may not survive much longer if business doesn’t rebound.
“We’re trying to survive this month, but if it’s the same, we’re gonna close.”
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