Update on Chipotle & East of the River

• May 14th 2010

by Will Smith

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Housing Complex’s Lydia DePillis has an update on the Chipotle story that broke earlier this week, in which the popular chain decided against opening a new location in the southeast neighborhood of Fairlawn even after being offered free rent. Chipotle’s decision generated a combination of disappointment and indignation — the former because there was hope that a new Chipotle would catalyze sorely-needed retail development in the area, the latter because some interpreted the decision as a slight to the East of the River market and community.

Then there were others who thought the decision was perfectly justified on the logic that if they can’t make the numbers work, there is no reason Chipotle should open a location.

A neighborhood resident reached out to the company and actually succeeded in getting a response, which was then posted to a neighborhood listserv. The key quote:

“We’ve been watching [Fairlawn] for about three years now, and we’re really happy to see the area changing. But we feel that the area is still a long way from having the right day parts necessary to support one of our restaurants.”

For the full response, head over to Housing Complex.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/update_on_chipotle_east_of_the_river/2073.