Paying Respects to the Late, Great Jim Graham

Jim Graham and I did not know each other until a crisis happened, which is what makes this story exemplary and memorable. It goes back to when I first inherited Nathans, and all the legal troubles that ensued. Chief among my goals was saving Nathans, a goal not be as simple as you'd think. After a year of fighting the IRS, I won that struggle and was awarded "innocent spouse" status, which meant I could keep the business. However, there was one very big local legal barrier in my path -- something known as the Georgetown Liquor License Moratorium, designed to keep bars from over-populating the commercial area. Most people thought it was nonsense, but it was real.

Under that moratorium the Nathans liquor license, designated as a "tavern" license, and which was in my late husband's name, could not transfer to me unless I agreed to convert it from a tavern license to a restaurant license. That would have killed the business instantly, because while we had a very chic dining room,  we were mostly a bar, and our total sales were approximately 70%  liquor to approx 30% food. Under a restaurant license, we would have to hit a minimum of 45% food sales, which was impossible in such a small building. We would be shut down. Also, I could not buy my own new license because none was available. It was my husband's license or bust. 

Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans stepped forward, bravely breaking rank with the Georgetown establishment, and offered to introduce a bill that would allow a one-time exception to the moratorium and transferring Howard's license to me as a tavern license. He needed two other members to join him on the legislation. The first to step up was my friend Kathy Patterson, who represented Ward 3.  The third was Jim Graham, of  Ward 1, and that's how we first met. I went to his office to meet him and to persuade him that Nathans was worth the effort. I liked him right away. Enthusiastic, charming and eloquent, dapper in his  cream colored summer suit and bow tie. It seemed to me he was always smiling.  As for the bill, it didn't require much convincing. He was on board 100% and the legislation was introduced. 

The day the bill was heard before a council subcommittee, dozens of Georgetowners -- many moms and dads, lots of people in their 30s, 40s and older, other business owners -- came forward to testify on behalf of Nathans keeping the tavern license and staying in business. Only two people appeared to testify against the one-time transfer and they represented the Citizens Association of Georgetown. They said the business should be closed to set an example that the moratorium was absolute and served the community. Their testimony silenced the chamber, but they did not silence Jim Graham.

The moms and dads testified. I testified. Jack and Kathy made key remarks. Jim was the last to to speak. He gave an impassioned and thoughtful sermon. Like Jack and Kathy he noted Nathans had been in business 28 years, had a clean record, was popular with all kinds of Washingtonians and tourists, and paid its bills.  He went on, though, to tutor us all about what it means to serve a community, and the roles of all kinds of businesses, and civic oversight committees such as CAG, and the role, too, of a city council in sometimes having to bend the rules for the right cause. He looked at the CAG members directly and said, "I respect your moratorium and why you support it, but is this the example you want to use to show how you serve the community?  To close a small business? To put people out of work?  To attack this widow? To set an example?"  I swear he stood ten feet tall, or they shrunk in the face of his argument. Or both.  There was silence, then loud applause from the dozens in the room. 

The one time exception to the Georgetown moratorium was passed unanimously by the full City Council, and the legislation was signed by Mayor Anthony Williams. The Nathans tavern license passed from my husband to me. Nathans was open another dozen years. Jim became a friend.  I said "thank you" as often as possible. 

My experience with Jim Graham was not unique. He was a man of the people and available to help where he could. 

He was a good council member, good community activist, good neighbor and most of all a good man.  

ENDNOTES: Eventually I brought Nathans food sales up to close to 40%, but there was no way we would have been able to reach 45%.

Recently, the Georgetown Liquor License Moratorium was ended. 

Jim Graham died on June 11. His funeral was yesterday.