» Tavern on the Green’s Lights May Go Dark Soon

Tavern on the Green’s Lights May Go Dark Soon

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

tavern-on-the-green

Now that the decision has been made to award Tavern on the Green’s operating contract to Boathouse Café operator Dean Poll, a great deal of logistics are being worked out. The New York City Parks Department decided that Poll will take over management of the famous Central Park restaurant from the LeRoy family on January 1st, but with essential details still unresolved, the restaurant may go dark. The New York Post reports that Poll has been wrapped up in negotiations with Local 6 of the New York Hotel Trades Council, and neither side is close to reaching a compromise. Without the union’s support, it is extremely unlikely that the city will hand over the restaurant to Poll. In addition to the essential union negotiations, the restaurant’s name has undergone quite a custody battle, Jennifer LeRoy is auctioning off all of the restaurants furnishings next month, and Poll’s plans for a major facelift to the restaurant could take years. All of these speedbumps to the restaurant’s changing hands make for an unlikely January 1st opening.