WASHINGTON (7News) — The sight of food trucks lining the National Mall is a common one. But where will they go next, now that the Smithsonian museums are closing as part of the government shutdown?
“That’s a good question. Where are we gonna go?” Dimitri Zalaf, owner of DC Food Wagon, told 7News reporter Lianna Golden. “Where are the tourists? Where are they gonna go? All those people they already booked their flights.”
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Zalaf relies on foot traffic around the mall for business, as do many of his neighbors.
He said it’s frustrating to watch and feel the domino effect of the stalemate negotiations happening down the block.
“This is income, bringing money to the city. Why are we stopping it?” Zalaf asked. “Hey employees, we got no work. Food trucks, souvenirs, whatever vendors, you gotta go somewhere else. You can’t go anywhere. Where we gonna park?”
The National Zoo will also close on Sunday and won’t reopen until the government does.
But rest assured, Smithsonian officials said all the animals will still be fed and cared for while they wait for their visitors to return and see them.
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“We are from the suburbs of Chicago,” Tim Machonga said outside the Air and Space Museum.
Shutdown and all, tourists like Tim and his son Jaxson are working around the closures and squeezing in some special memories where they can.
“We are just visiting D.C., trying to make the most of our time for his ninth birthday today,” Tim said, pointing to his son beside him.
“How are you feeling, birthday boy?” Golden asked.
“Good,” Jaxson said with a smile.
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Tim said planning around the shutdown was interesting, but they made it happen and made it to the museums before they closed.
“Planning definitely took some time, a lot more than I expected, but it all worked out and ended up being here on this beautiful day, so can’t ask for much more than that,” Tim said.
