OXON HILL, Md. — Neighboring businesses hope to win big as thousands flock to National Harbor’s latest attraction.
From its Thursday-night opening through Sunday, MGM National Harbor says, about 100,000 people were among the first to see the new $1.4 billion casino and resort.
And Des Reilly, co-owner of the Walrus Oyster and Ale House at National Harbor, saw his restaurant reap the benefits. On opening weekend, he said his restaurant was packed with customers who were in the area to visit the new attraction.
“We definitely saw an uptick based on the sheer overflow of guests pouring into the harbor,” Reilly said.
But not all businesses are seeing an instant increase now that the doors are open.
“I don’t see a change; it’s the same as it was last year,” said Patricia Johnson, with the Black Dog at National Harbor. Johnson says people are still coming down to the harbor, but most visitors are staying on MGM property.
Danna Oweida, owner of Pinktini Fashion Boutique, says she also hasn’t seen a spike. “I think once the dust settles a little bit, I think we will definitely see an increase,” Oweida said.
Oweida believes that during the opening weekend, many customers who may have come to the harbor made the decision to avoid the area because of the traffic and calls from the casino for guests to consider coming after opening weekend.
Both Oweida and Johnson are hopeful that in the coming days and weeks, they will begin to reap the benefits of having a popular new neighbor.
Speaking to the National Press Club ahead of the opening, MGM’s CEO James Murren said the company believes the casino and resort will add another day to a D.C.-area trip for the average international traveler.
Kattie Kinsella, general manager of Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, hopes people do choose to stay in the area for an extended period. “Before it was sort of like, you come, you eat dinner, you go to a few shops and then what? So, this brings them for more than a day,” Kinsella said.
One thing that may be keeping visitors at MGM is free parking, but a pay-to-park system will come after the opening period. Depending on the rates for a spot at the casino, gamblers and diners may choose to park at National Harbor or Tanger Outlets, bringing more foot traffic to those areas as people walk to a Circulator bus between the shopping sites and the casino.
As some shops and eateries see an uptick in business and others wait to see what the future will bring, most remain optimistic about the days ahead. At the Walrus, Reilly expects to see at least a 6 percent increase in business with MGM National Harbor up and running.
Reilly added, “We’re psyched that MGM is here and we know that they’re gonna drive considerable traffic and, quite frankly, we’re gonna be able to piggyback on all of their incredible marketing efforts.”
