A growing number of New York City-based restaurants are scouting locations or setting up shop in the District, hedging against some weakness in their hometown market.
Since the economic downturn began, no fewer than 10 Empire State restaurateurs have made designs on the District. Among them is the Gerber Group, which is cruising downtown for sites for its line of bars, including Whiskey Blue and Stone Rose. Michael Wang is looking to bring his Luke’s Lobsters to the area.
Food Network star Bobby Flay is in negotiations to open his first local Burger Palace, a New York and New Jersey staple, and Shake Shack owner Danny Meyer recently announced plans for a spot in Dupont Circle.
“Guys from New York are coming down here because they can pay half the rent and do 75 percent of the business,” said broker Thomas N. Papadopoulos, who has represented several Big Apple transplants.
Full story: Washington looks tantalizing to New York’s restaurateurs