DC businesses say pandas will boost the local economy

WASHINGTON — Giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao are officially home, and the DMV couldn't be more thrilled. 

“It’s almost like when they were laying the branches down when Jesus was coming through,” Henrietta Jones said.

There was an excitement in the air as D.C. residents lined the sidewalks outside the National Zoo on Tuesday hoping to catch a glimpse of the giant pandas.

“This is the closest thing we have to royalty! It’s like the queen is coming to town." Nan Aron, said. 

The pandas boarded the "Panda Express" ─ a FedEx plane with a panda on the side ─ on Monday morning. They traveled from China to Alaska ─ to Dulles Airport on Tuesday morning, and they finally made it home to the National Zoo, where they were greeted by loving fans like Amy Henderson who’s lived in the District since 1995.

“I found myself thrilled this morning. You know the election and Gaza ... It’s a good thing which we all need right now.” Henderson, said. 

Local businesses said they’ve noticed a decrease in customers when the pandas left last November.

Yael Krigman owns Baked by Yael. Her business sits right across the zoo’s main entrance. She’s hoping the panda’s arrival will bring in some much needed foot traffic.

“We are excited. We have missed them terribly. On a personal level and professional. It’s been bad for business.” Krigman, said. “It’s huge. It’s huge for us. We don’t have a huge marketing budget so we really rely on the zoo to do that for us. When the pandas come they come from all over the world and they want anything panda related.”

If you’re hoping to meet the pandas, you’ll have to wait for the exhibit to reopen in January 2025.