Mark Slater Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 https://wjla.com/news/local/union-to-employees-marriott-wardman-park-hotel-may-close-after-storied-102-year-run?fbclid=IwAR3Kgbg0VPXpotXN6x3rJm063wfgUFIGs2sKu0_S1ekgXLZMhLxp-M6Ro6E I worked here briefly in the 80's. It was hilarious to watch all the empty restaurants, and then at 7:00 PM, 2.500 people all remember its time to eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 2 hours ago, Mark Slater said: I worked here briefly in the 80's. It was hilarious to watch all the empty restaurants, and then at 7:00 PM, 2.500 people all remember its time to eat. You know all those terrible restaurants in Woodley Park, on the northwest corner of Connecticut Ave. and Calvert St. NW? Wave goodbye. I would not want to be the owner of those properties right about now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dedrick Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Initially this really surprised me. But after thinking some more it doesn't. They're whole business model seems based around conventions and conferences. Hard to see those coming back soon, and some of them may never return. That's a huge property. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 The first two trips I made to Washington (in the mid-70s) were attending Close-Up. We stayed at the then Sheraton-Park at that site. Brings back memories, including the time I came down with the flu (or something similar) and nearly passed out in the FBI Building. I had to make my own way back to the hotel. This was...interesting. I can't recall which of the trips that was on but probably the second one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saf Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Wow. My dad used to stay there sometimes when he came to town for work. I'd go over and visit him, and we would eat either at Mama Ayesha's or (his favorite) New Heights. I liked it better when he stayed there than when he stayed at the Hinkley Hilton. Once Cafe Petitio closed anyhow. I liked getting treated to dinner at New Heights. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted June 25, 2020 Author Share Posted June 25, 2020 5 hours ago, DonRocks said: You know all those terrible restaurants in Woodley Park, on the northwest corner of Connecticut Ave. and Calvert St. NW? Wave goodbye. I would not want to be the owner of those properties right about now. I was eating at New Heights one night when John Wabeck was the chef. The owner had sent most of the staff home. Typical for the neighborhood, a party of 30 from the hotel dropped in. Chaos ensued. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibbee Nayee Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 I agree that the restaurants in that area will get crushed, but I am a Mama Ayesha's fan. On days where they have the stuffed cabbage special (malfoof) or the kibbeh nayeh is fresh, it's as good a Middle Eastern meal as can be had in that part of the District, and it has survived for generations.I have a feeling it will be there post-pandemic. I'll play wait-and-see on Lebanese Taverna, but their take out business has been strong. But the rest of them...? Probably not going to last. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 10 hours ago, Pat said: The first two trips I made to Washington (in the mid-70s) were attending Close-Up. This is funnier to me than you could possibly know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saf Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 23 hours ago, Kibbee Nayee said: I agree that the restaurants in that area will get crushed, but I am a Mama Ayesha's fan. I am too. We have had takeout from there several times recently. Still good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 On 6/26/2020 at 12:48 AM, DonRocks said: This is funnier to me than you could possibly know. Would you like to share? ... [I'll PM you. DR] 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Announcement of the opening of the Wardman Park Hotel, November 1918 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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