Despite its popularity in D.C., the Ivy City area’s City Winery said safety concerns, in addition to an already challenging economic environment, will force it to close its doors as of Jan. 1.
“We need to be responsible to our staff, customers and the many musicians, regarding their safety,” representatives of City Winery said in a statement.
People who hang out in the area of the winery, which is located on Okie Street in Northeast, expressed surprise over the closure. A man named Keith said he frequents the area and has never felt unsafe.
“In regards to them closing, it’s very unfortunate because this is a booming area now,” he told WTOP.
A woman named Janaey echoed those sentiments: “I have been here mostly to run to Target and things like that, and I’ve never felt unsafe.”
“When the neighborhood puts so many at risk, it makes it impossible to operate,” the statement from the winery said. It did not name any specific issues.
City Winery said it plans to reopen elsewhere in the city, but no location has been announced yet.
