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Restaurant owners ask; where’s the local flavor at training camp?

Posted at 11:38 PM, Aug 02, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-02 23:38:52-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) - Kevin Mandeville's Redskins pride hangs outside his restaurant in The Fan. The place also has a special RG3 burger for customers.

"It has gained some notoriety fortunately for us," said Mandeville.

Along with the excitement for Redskins training camp, there's also some frustration according to local business owners.

Jake Crocker, who is the co-owner of several restaurants in The Fan told CBS 6 that inside the gates at training camp there are no mom and pop vendors serving up food to people that are there.

"There's national chain vendors.....that do not operate facilities here in the city of Richmond," said Crocker.

Crocker told CBS 6 News' Chelsea Rarrick that this means people aren't as likely to venture to restaurants in his area for lunch.

"I think as a whole, we all feel we would have liked the opportunity as local vendors to showcase our food at the site," said Mandeville.

CBS 6 contacted the city with some of the concerns from business owners. The Mayor's spokeswoman, Tammy Hawley said it's out of the city's control as to what vendors are inside. She said the food served is something that was already established.

"Redskins have existing legal agreements with their partners. The vendors you see inside here have legal arrangements with Redskins," she said.

Hawley said they couldn't ask to break any agreements, but says they are talking about the future of what's inside in future years.

"The city needs to look out for our interests when negotiating with the Redskins," said Crocker.