The eagerly awaited reopening of Tavern on the Green, which has been closed since January of 2010, has again been delayed due to further construction issues. Initially slated for fall and then December of 2013, the re-launch has now been pushed back to late January of 2014.
Owners Jim Caiola and David Salama began the $10 million renovation in August and faced continuous problems since, according to Mr. Caiola, "the building is old and has not been kept up."
The new incarnation will be a smaller scale of the previous establishment, which employed 400 workers and could host 1,200 customers in the building. The new establishment anticipates indoor seating for about 300 and the new operators began advertising on Craig's List this week for the approximately 250 positions they will need to fill.
In order to keep payroll costs down, the city - which is the landlord for Tavern on the Green - struck a deal with the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council allowing a two year window, before beginning organizing efforts, in order to help recap the $16.7 million loan taken by the owners this summer from Summit Partners Credit Advisors.
The new restaurant will open with dinner service and a limited takeout menu and will eventually begin lunch service later in the winter.
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Photo Credit: Crain's