Tavern on the Green files lawsuit to remain open during holidays

The current operators at Tavern on the Green want the restaurant to remain open throughout the busy holiday season, and in order to do so, they need to extend their current lease that expires at the end of the year. The LeRoy family company, which currently operates the restaurant, is suing the New York City Department of Parks of Recreation to extend the lease for an additional 90 days to enable the restaurant to continue to book parties and operate through November and December, its most profitable months of the year.

In the days thereafter, the operators would have time to auction the restaurant's furniture, art work, and chandeliers and then vacate the building. If the LeRoys are granted the extension, Dean Poll, who is set to take over the lease January 1, 2010, has threatened to close Tavern for two years. Poll currently operates the Boathouse restaurant, also in Central Park.

Tavern employs more than 400 NY Hotel Trades Council members, many of whom are concerned about the future of the restaurant and are prepared to fight to ensure the restaurant remains union when Poll takes over the lease.

Collins, Glenn. Timing Becomes an Issue in Tavern on the Green Dispute.NY Times, October 13, 2009.
Spitz, Rebecca. Tavern Transition Leaves Workers in Limbo. NY 1, October 15, 2009.
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