For the disciplined secret government team in charge of preventing all-American casual restaurant chains from opening in Montgomery County - or pushing them out if they're already here - the mission has its ups and downs. For every Olive Garden or Cracker Barrel blocked from leasing a pad site, for every abandoned bank on River Road that mysteriously can't become a drive-thru Chick-fil-A or Taco Bell cash cow, for every Ruby Tuesday or P.F. Chang's that closes its doors forever, there's a Cheesecake Factory that just keeps chugging along, or a new Outback Steakhouse set to open just when you'd finished smiling about the one in Germantown closing. But, if they take a break from crafting new anti-business legislation or arcane zoning blockades, here's a scene they can enjoy at 11428 Rockville Pike: the Chili's that closed in 2016 has just been boarded up.
Chili's successfully operated this location for 25 years. Let's take a moment to remember the many business deals closed over two Spicy Sauza Jalapeño Margarita lunches, the Gap-dress-code happy hours, and the romantic date night window views of Fitz Auto Mall and gas stations. Even Mike Pence enjoys dining at Chili's. You can't, because there are no more Chili's in Montgomery County, one more ubiquitous brand stunned visitors will incredulously remind you is in every other jurisdiction in America but here.
"Let's go to Olive Garden."
"There is no Olive Garden."
"Whaaaaaaaat??????? You're joking, right? OK, what about Cracker Barrel?"
If someone visiting MoCo wants to eat at soulless corporate restaurants like Olive Garden or Chili's, instead of a local mom and pop restaurant, then that says more about them than it does the county.
ReplyDeleteWhat *is* the deal with that? There's a TGI Friday's up the way a bit, at Twinbrook and the Pike, but that's about it. Is there some actual, written proscription on these sorts of places operating in Montgomery, or is it simply none of these food places think it worth while to venture into this area, where "moderate/$$" means diners are already spending $60+ a person for utterly forgettable fare? That's not to say Cracker Barrel, Chili's, Sonic, or any of the rest of that ilk are ZOMG!!!! Teh [sic] Awesome. But with the trainloads of boring, bland, overpriced, phony, or downright lousy restaurants in the county, what's the problem with letting some of these other places have a go, too? Is the local restaurant cartel afraid that, given the opportunity, too many diners would spend their money at the national chains?
ReplyDeleteBingo! Those meddling cabal of local "celebrity" chefs...
DeleteDon't forget all the Awesome Blossoms! :-)
ReplyDeleteI ate there once in 1989.
ReplyDeleteMy week is made when Robert posts a post-apocalyptic update from White Flint. Classic stuff.
ReplyDeleteGotta run now, I hear the Montgomery County chopper coming after me for not using the correctly sanctioned "North Bethesda." Don't laugh, they'll be coming for you next!
"Is there some actual, written proscription on these sorts of places operating in Montgomery"
ReplyDeleteOf course not. Did you seriously need someone to tell you that? There are plenty of chains here and there are plenty of local and regional restaurants as well. The free market and individual choice decide which do well and which fold.
The free market would suggest the restaurants would *try* opening in this awash-in-disposable-income county, since the establishments have been so successful elsewhere. If you look at a map of these chains in the DMV area, they have outposts in PG, NoVA, Howard, Anne Arundel, Baltimore counties, but Montgomery is a virtual “kill zone,” an irradiated jurisdiction where these elsewhere-popular chains seemingly dare not tread. I get that it’s unlikely downtown Bethesda would be a goldmine for a Chili’s or its gustatory equivalents, with the Audis and Benzs parked three-deep while patrons savor the greasy fare. But surely there are enough MoCo diners who can’t afford the glitz —and emperor’s new clothes culinary fakery of the Bethesda dining “scene”— to engage the likes of some of these spots *somewhere* in the county. The absence of any of them here when they operate in neighboring jurisdictions is puzzling, which led to my asking if there were some declaratory proscription, as with Walmart’s opening in Montgomery.
ReplyDeleteNot that I’m pining for any of these to open shop in Montgomery, but their collective absence is a puzzlement not explained by either the free market or individual choice.
It is not complicated. Low-end chains generally open locations in low-end areas without better options. They rely upon cheap rents, cheap food quality, and limited competition to turn marginal profits.
DeleteHigh rent. Higher labor costs because moco is expensive. Potential locations are limited. Foot traffic is questionable with most people working hybrid schedules there isn't an office crowd like it used to be. Lotsvof money in moco but they're shopping online and using doordash.
DeleteRobert where is the update on the White Flint mall? The old Lord and Taylor was torn down and they seem to be doing some excavation work?
ReplyDelete@11:06, the county is awash in low-end eateries where they can't possibly be paying high rents. Virtually the entire eastern part of the county is down-market, so is Gaithersburg. Have you driven along University Blvd East, North Frederick Ave, through the commercial strips of Hillandale, White Oak? Your explanation is refuted by the evidence.
ReplyDeleteIt's not judt rent though. It needs tovbe in a decent location and the density of eastern moco leaves much to be desired. You also still have moco minimum wage as well as the expense of setting up shop. Stores and restaurants cost more to open and properly operate than ever before. Back in the 90s and early 2000s it was easy and even cheap to setup shop. Now setting up is insanely expensive and operating and grtting foot traffic kills most businesses small or large. Customer acquisition costs alone are way higher than they should be considering modern dsy tech.
DeleteYou pointing out how Wheaton, Hillandale, etc. have a ton of places to eat that are widely regarded for their quality, authenticity, and value exactly proves 11:06's point, actually. Who in their right mind would go to Chili's for imitation fajitas if you have a dozen legit places nearby that are better and cheaper?
ReplyDelete