reopen nyc

Iconic Boathouse in Central Park lays off staff, closed through 2021

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Famous NYC restaurant closes, lays off staff due to COVID-19

The legendary Loeb Boathouse restaurant in Central Park laid off its staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic and may not reopen until next spring.

CENTRAL PARK (WABC) -- The legendary Loeb Boathouse restaurant in Central Park has temporarily closed its doors and laid off its staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials with the NYC Parks Department said the restaurant closed in mid-March due to coronavirus and has not reopened.

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The restaurant is operated under a concession license agreement administered by NYC Parks. They say they have not been charging monthly license fees during the pandemic-driven closure.

A representative with the Boathouse said they have been in talks with the city and intend to reopen next spring in April of 2021.

They say ongoing discussions are taking place with NYC officials to figure out how the Boathouse can safely reopen and rehire the 175 employees that were laid off.

The famed restaurant is known for its rowboats that can be rented to explore the lake.

According to its website, the Loeb Boathouse is the only Manhattan venue right on a lake.

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