Why No One Goes Out to Eat in D.C. Anymore.

The restaurant scene in Washington, D.C. is declining due to rising crime rates and increased labor costs. The city has seen a 35% increase in homicides and an 82% increase in car thefts, leading to a decrease in foot traffic and customers choosing to eat elsewhere. Additionally, a ballot measure called Initiative 82, which tripled the base wage for tipped restaurant workers, has caused employment to fall and many restaurants to lay off workers or close locations. To offset costs, restaurants have added fees or surcharges to customer bills, resulting in higher prices and fewer people dining out. However, there is some hope as the mayor has endorsed safety laws and the city council has the power to modify the tipping measure. Overall, the combination of crime and labor costs has had a negative impact on the restaurant industry in Washington, D.C. [Extracted from the article]