Update: Capital City Diner Closing

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

This is one of the rare occasions where I actually hope my scuttlebutt is wrong. Unfortunately I’ve heard it from a very good source as well as some other folks who’ve started to hear rumblings. Word on the street is that Capital City Diner will be closing soon at 1050 Bladensburg Road, NE. Capital City Diner opened back in Feb. 2010 after a long journey journey from upstate NY. In May 2011 their back patio opened and things were looking great. I’m not sure if it is the Denny’s that opened nearby at 1250 Bladensberg Rd, NE but I hear that could be part of the problem.

Anyway, I know many many folks really love Capital City Diner so I wanted to share the news as soon as possible. But like I said, in this particular case, I hope I’m wrong.

Update: Sadly, confirmed. From owner Matt Ashburn:

Friends,

We sincerely appreciate your support, patronage, and– most of all– friendship over the past two years. You’re more than customers; you’re our friends and neighbors.

Although we received positive response to our recent improvements, we also encountered rising costs, a declining economy, and a national chain “diner” restaurant opening almost a stone’s throw away. Now, we must refocus and reformat our restaurant to move forward.

This weekend, we’ll open from 7am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday so that we can meet up one last time to say good-bye before we close to reformat and improve our concept.

Again, thank you for your support and encouragement, we’d love to see you one last time at the old diner to say good-bye this weekend.

Sincerely,
Matt & the Capital City Diner crew

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80