The future of Rocco’s at the Brick in Newtown Borough is uncertain. But one thing is clear – it won’t be returning to The Brick Hotel.
After the abrupt closure after Saturday night dinner and bar service, word spread throughout the borough and onto social media that the popular upscale spot would not reopen on Sunday.
Interviews with the operators of Rocco’s at the Brick and the owner of The Brick Hotel shed light on disagreements and a tense relationship that caused problems for the restaurant and bar that was settled in the historic building at the corner of State Street and Washington Avenue.
Management for Rocco’s at the Brick, who leased the space, said the closure came after a Friday word from the owner of The Brick Hotel, Verindar Kaur, that she would no longer permit the restaurant to use the building’s liquor license starting at midnight on Sunday.
Given that a liquor license is essential for the upscale restaurant and bar’s business model, management decided their only option was to shut down after Saturday’s service.
Kaur, who owns The Brick Hotel and the liquor license, and was also a partner in the restaurant, offered a different account.
Kaur denied ever informing the restaurant’s management that she was pulling the liquor license and said she was as surprised as anyone to learn they were moving out.
“They are the tenant, so they can do what they want,” Kaur said, adding that she appreciated having them in the building since 2018.
Kaur manages The Brick Hotel with her son, Chiranjiv Jouhal, who is also listed on the liquor license.
(UPDATE: Added Tuesday, 2:28 p.m.) The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a change to the liquor license corporate structure was submitted to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board last Friday, which invalided the lease agreement between the restaurant and the hotel.
Dana Gray, the secretary for restaurateur Marc Gelman, the operator of Rocco’s at the Brick, cited building repair issues as a long-simmering source of friction.
Gray stated that the restaurant had paid for numerous upgrades over the years and brought in much of its own equipment, including furniture and artwork.
Among the restaurant’s unresolved complaints were water damage, concerns about mold, and a broken boiler that supplied heat.
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Kaur maintained that the building was in good condition and countered that Rocco’s at the Brick was responsible for fixing the boiler. She said that parts for the repair were expected soon.
Gray said the restaurant had conducted mold testing, which indicated safe levels for continued operation, but worries about future issues persisted.
Gray also told NewtownPANow.com that Kaur had recently begun attempting to control the bar’s operations. She stated that Kaur began going behind the bar herself when bartenders were busy.
The bar’s liquor license, which is held by Amaya LLC, the licensee for the restaurant and hotel, was set to expire Nov. 30, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Kaur said the renewal application had been submitted.
The lease agreement between Rocco’s at the Brick and Kaur was broken due to the recent problems, according to both sides.
“There were a lot of battles over the last couple years,” Gray said.
On Monday, as news of the closure circulated, police were called to the hotel over the business dispute while Rocco’s at the Brick staff were removing kitchen equipment, food, and silverware.
Kaur said officers determined the matter was a civil dispute, not a criminal matter.
Gray said it wasn’t the first time Kaur called police over disputes with the Rocco’s at the Brick team.
Both sides said they are considering their legal options.
In interviews on Monday, Kaur said she did nothing wrong, and Gray stated Kaur made it too difficult for the restaurant to operate.
The management team reported that the friction had been building for some time, with Kaur becoming more difficult to work with and unwilling to make changes.
The friction, according to Gray, led to the decision to close and pack up.
Gray said Gelman didn’t want to close abruptly, but the management was left with few other options on short notice ahead of the busy holiday season.
The approximately 60 staff members will be receiving their current pay, with the goal of disbursing funds by Thanksgiving, Gray said.
Some employees will transition to other restaurants owned by Gelman, including The Pub in Pennsauken, New Jersey, while others are seeking work at nearby eateries. Numerous local restaurants have advised Rocco’s at the Brick staff of openings.
Gray said the team is already working on plans for a new concept, Mélange on Sycamore, and has been in talks for weeks to secure a new location for Rocco’s at the Brick on Sycamore Street, but the spot is not yet finalized.
Gelman worked to distribute leftover food to employees and area restaurants to prevent spoilage.
Since the closure, Gray said the restaurant has received an outpouring of community support.
“We’re really lucky that the town has stood beside us, and we’re really grateful,” Gray said.
Kaur confirmed that The Brick Hotel remains open and is not impacted by the restaurant’s departure.
Rocco’s at the Brick staff spent Monday managing a steady stream of patrons cashing in unused gift cards and contacting more than 500 people with holiday season reservations.
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