L’ENFANT PLAZA FOOD COURT REOPENS TO HUNGRY CROWDS

Six more slated to open this spring, summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2011

L’Enfant Plaza, a property controlled by The JBG Companies, reopened its East Food Court to huge crowds with the neighborhood debut of Potbelly and Roti.

The two newest additions to L’Enfant Plaza served hundreds of customers during their opening days, May 9-10, and local office workers, excited for the new dining options, were eager to sample the new dishes. Whereas strong food court restaurants typically ring up 90 customers during the peak 30 minutes of lunch rush, Potbelly rang up 130 customers during that time on May 10.

Britt Snider, vice president with The JBG Companies, said such intense customer interest is exciting for the L’Enfant Plaza team and its patrons.

“It’s exciting to see this level of activity with only two stores open,” he said. “We have many other stores opening in the next few months. JBG is pleased to see the beginning of this transformation of L’Enfant Plaza. When we completed the build out, we knew that it was a significant improvement, but it’s satisfying when businesses open with such success. We think this is just the tip of the iceberg for L’Enfant Plaza and all those who enjoy it.”

Bill Post, founder and CEO of Roti, was at L’Enfant Plaza for the restaurant’s opening days and said he was “amazed at the crowds.”

“The crowds have been terrific for us,” said Post. “The response has been great and a lot of people have returned. That’s the mark of real success in the restaurant business, when people return as repeat customers.”

Mike Magliaro, general manager of the Potbelly at L’Enfant Plaza, said the warm spring weather in Washington during the food court’s reopening helped foster excitement and a strong interest in their Oreo and strawberry banana shakes.

“You can tell by the line that people are very excited to have Potbelly around here,” said Magliaro. “We’ll have a chance to see them every time they come through the building and really build some serious relationships so that when they come, we can talk to them, see how their weeks are going, and get to know their personalities as customers.”

More from Snider, Post and Magliaro,
plus views of the food court’s opening days.

Six additional restaurants will open in L’Enfant Plaza’s East Food Court this spring and summer. FYI: Frozen Yogurt Indulgence and Gourmet Too are slated to open this spring; Au Bon Pain, Five Guys, Mamma Ilardo’s and Moe’s Southwest Grill are slated to open this summer. Also slated to open this spring is Gateway Newstands.

Renovation and expansion of L’Enfant Plaza’s West Retail will follow. For more information on L’Enfant Plaza, please visit explore this site, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About The JBG Companies

Headquartered in Chevy Chase, Md., The JBG Companies is a real estate investment manager active in office, residential, hotel and retail properties with more than $10 billion in assets under management and development. Founded in 1960, in 2010 The JBG Companies marked half a century of business success and charitable involvement in the greater Washington community. More information can be found by visiting the company's Web site: JBG.com, or by calling 240-333-3600.

About L’Enfant Plaza

Located at 470-490 & 955 L’Enfant Plaza S.W. in Washington, D.C. the buildings of L’Enfant Plaza were purchased by The JBG Companies and are now undergoing full renovation.
Positioned above the L’Enfant Plaza Metro stop, the rail system’s most connected station, the complex includes several stories of office space, nearly 180,000 square feet of retail space, and the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza S.W.
Currently undergoing a $40 million renovation and expansion,
L’Enfant Plaza is one of the region’s premier mixed-use properties.