D.C.’s Lone Capriotti’s Has Closed

Capriotti’s, the decades-old sandwich chain that had friends in high places during the previous administration, closed its flagship D.C. location on December 29.

A spokeswoman for the now-nationwide company tells Eater the four-year-old Dupont Circle outpost (1800 M Street NW) was let go due to real estate issues. “We have decided to close the store because the lease was coming to an end,” the Capriotti aide says.

The company last summer floated plans to open 20 new stores in and around the District — a growth spurt the sandwich-maker maintains is still in play. “This is not an indication of the overall health of the brand … We are continuing to open new restaurants in communities across the country. We love Washington, D.C. and look forward to being back in the future,” the spokeswoman says. A Georgetown location (3347 M Street NW) didn’t even make it to 18 months.

One person that definitely appreciated Capriotti’s (and probably still does) is Vice President Joe Biden. The former senator from Delaware — where Capriotti’s got started — was first in line when the eatery arrived in town in late 2013, ordering a handful of specialty sandwiches for himself, then-President Barack Obama, and White House staff.

Capriotti’s continues to operate stores in neighboring Arlington, Virginia (1500 Wilson Boulevard), as well as a trio of shops in Maryland.