Billy's, in New York

I started a thread a while ago about a Roadfood-type restaurant in my original hometown that went out of business after decades, because it owed the IRS a relatively small amount of money that it couldn't pay in full.

Here is a slightly different story, but similar in some ways. The end of the story remains to be told.

Billy's is a neighborhood place in the East 50s of Manhattan, founded in 1870 (that's not a typo...1870). I think it used to be a saloon/restaurant that has evolved into a family restaurant. It's not great, but it is solid and very comfortable. Really good blueberry pie. My young kids have always been fawned over by the staff, which would seem to have been there from the very beginning, if that were possible.

Anyway, the place has been closed for a bit, with a handwritten note posted out front reading, in effect, we're temporarily closed but will be back as soon as we can. A lot of us wondered what was going on, fearing health problems for the owner or someone else on the team.

Now we know the answer -- or, at least, we know the owner's side of the story. In a lengthy note now posted on the front door, he shares a story that in many ways is rather touching. He thanks God for the landlord, who has not torn down the aging building in which Billy's is located out of love and respect for the restaurant (this property could be sold for MILLIONS). The owner also, remarkably, thanks the IRS, which he says has worked with him to help him stay in business.

The problem, apparently, is the union to which the staff belongs.
According to the owner, the union wants to implement new terms which he can't afford to meet (I don't know the specifics.) The staff is telling its union, "Don't worry about it. Continue to honor our current contract. We don't need more." But the union isn't listening, and won't negotiate. The owner says he tried to get a hearing with the union, to no avail.

And so, a 135-year old restaurant and neighborhood institution is closed, perhaps permanently. Many of these people won't get other jobs.

The point of my post isn't to rail against unions. It's just a shame when entities -- whether it's a union, the government or a landlord -- refuses to even negotiate in order to meet the larger good. Sometimes, negotiations take place and compromises simply cannot or will not be made. Understood. But when there's no attempt, that's rather sad, especially in a case like this one.

Sounds like the wrecking ball is near. I'm sure the developers are all over that landlord. Sad to lose a great restaurant only to gain MORE new condos, or a CVS or Walgreens. Pretty sad.