Steakhouse [Forced] To Close, Ending Tradition For Wounded War Vets

D.C. Channel 9 WUSA ^ | 4/14/06 | Doug Buchanan

[Coop]

A two-year tradition for wounded war vets is about to go by the wayside. A downtown DC steak house that’s catered to injured troops every Friday night is about to close.

Fran O’Brien’s landlord [Hilton] is forcing out the steakhouse of the same name.

“We're not feeling very good about leaving and especially the Friday night dinner,” O’Brien said.

With the restaurant soon to close, so too will go a hang-out spot that troops have been able to call home while healing, if only for a few hours every week.

In a statement from Hilton hotels, a spokesperson writes: "this is a business decision whereby Hilton Hotels is exploring several options to utilize this space."

But the decision impacts more than just the business that's getting the boot.

A Hilton hotel spokesperson say they are -- on some level -- hoping to keep the Friday night alive without Fran O’Brien’s.

[F.J. Mitchell]

We need someone with the talent to do so, to start a petition condemning this action.

Maybe some bumper stickers: "Hilton to Heelton".

[em2vn]

We read the same thing. From that statement you conclude that Hilton is anti-military?
Hilton may have any number of other businesses vying for that spot in the hotel. That could be why they haven't made a final decision.

[Coop]

I'm not asking "someone." I'm asking you.

[GodBlessUSA]

Yes, I agree. They have no time to prepare, find another place for business. Hilton, should at the least, take that in consideration and give them an extended lease or something.

I also think it's odd Hilton had two statements. First, it was due to liability and now it's because they are exploring the possibility of using the space.

[Coop]

I conclude that Hilton is treating the military - specifically wounded servicemembers - like crap. They strung Fran O'Brien's along for months, gave them 2-3 weeks' notice, have NOT identified another use for the property, and offered a lame verbal excuse about "liability concerns" should a wounded person be further hurt there.

Why are you fighting so hard against our efforts? Do you work for Hilton? I hope you do, and I hope you'll recognize what an idiotic PR move this is.

[lastchance]

Information on ADA can be found at the Department of Justice website.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/

[GodBlessUSA]

Read my posts. I've already stated the facts and time frame Hilton gave them to leave. I don't know what motivated them to do this, but it's totally wrong.

[w1andsodidwe]

the state where every illegal immigrant is taken care of but forget about our soldiers.

The state where the Freerepublic servers are located.

[conservativebabe]

What a shame. The Hilton family ought to be ashamed of themselves.

[Hoodlum91]

You know - there is vacant restaurant space on 13th near Freedom Plaza. Used to have John Harvard's. Probably a lot more expensive, but I would love it if they moved there! (It's about 5 blocks from where I work.

Still, to give 2 weeks to relocate a business sucks.

[Coop]

Ping

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for posting this Coop.

Unbelievable!

Surely this is something we could do to let the Hilton folks know that Fran O'Brien's is more than just a steakhouse. It has provided a morale boost to our Wounded War Vets.

Canteen Ping!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

If that where so ,they would have told the owners of Fran O'Brien months in advance that the lease would not be renewed and not two weeks before the lease runs out.

Your reasoning is BS.

I work for a big cooperation ,that leases space to other businesses and they always notify the business six month to a year before the lease is up,that they plan on leasing the space to someone else.The reason this is done,is so that the owner of the business is able to find another location before having to vacate.

[Coop]

You're welcome, Mojo, but I believe the D.C. Chapter had the original thread alerting me to this outrageous story.

[Coop]

I stand corrected. It was Buzz via radar who to my knowledge first brought this to our attention. I'm grateful to both of them, and I'm hopeful that if enough of us raise a fuss we can stop this lousy decision.

Not only would reversal of this decision save a wonderful, therapeutic tradition for our wounded servicemembers, but our outcry itself would send a message of love and support to them and to Hal & Marty for standing up for them.

[RockinRight]

Doesn't make any sense to me.

[MNJohnnie]

Anyone told Kristen and the DC Freepers about this?

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Morning MoJo.

I am all over this.

Been firing off mails all morning.

:)

[Coop]

Yes

[Coop]

Thank you for your response. Phone calls are good, too, if practical.