Photo credit: boston.eater.com
Barbara Lynch to Close Remaining Restaurants in Boston
The renowned chapter of Barbara Lynch in Boston’s culinary landscape is set to conclude. Lorraine Tomlinson-Hall, Lynch’s chief operating officer, confirmed with Eater that all of Lynch’s remaining establishments will be shutting down. This news follows reports of the immediate closure of The Rudder in Gloucester. In addition to The Rudder, Lynch’s flagship restaurant, No. 9 Park located in Beacon Hill, and B&G Oysters in the South End will also cease operations, with No. 9 Park closing at year’s end and B&G Oysters’ closing date still undecided.
Reflecting on her legacy, Lynch stated, “I am very proud of what I have achieved over three decades, creating these much-loved entities where so many of you chose to celebrate your special occasions. The harsh realities of the global pandemic and the many difficulties faced calls for significant investment, which neither myself nor my fellow shareholders are positioned to do.”
In the wake of these closures, the group is actively seeking buyers for the restaurant spaces. They are reportedly in advanced discussions regarding the sale of No. 9 Park, with hopes that current employees will retain their positions under new ownership. Tomlinson-Hall expressed optimism about finding a buyer who will respect the restaurant’s established legacy, stating, “A lot of hard work has been undertaken to find a buyer who is interested in developing that iconic space.”
Should negotiations proceed smoothly, the sale of No. 9 Park could be finalized by the start of 2025, with renovations anticipated soon after. This timing allows for one final holiday season celebration, including the traditional holiday lunch, as well as a grace period for honor gift cards before the restaurant’s official closure following December 31.
This announcement comes nearly a year after Lynch shuttered several other prominent venues, including Sportello, Menton, and Drink in Fort Point, as well as The Butcher Shop and Stir in the South End. The search for buyers for these various spaces began at the time of those closures. Notably, The Butcher Shop location was initially intended for a Lynch trainee, but that arrangement fell through and has now transitioned to the South End’s Mazi Food Group, which is preparing to launch an all-day gastropub in the near future.
In recent times, Lynch’s operations have faced significant challenges. Allegations of toxic work environments emerged from over a dozen employees, reported in both the Boston Globe and the New York Times, especially following the tragic deaths of two employees associated with Menton, allegations that Lynch has refuted. Additionally, last year’s lawsuit from a group of employees accused her of not properly distributing tips during the pandemic, a case that remains unresolved. Lynch has also faced legal issues, including an arrest for drunk driving in 2017.
Despite these controversies, Barbara Lynch has been a pivotal figure in elevating Boston’s culinary reputation since the late 1990s. Her flagship restaurant, No. 9 Park, which has earned James Beard accolades, marked the beginning of a fruitful career that saw the launch of multiple acclaimed establishments. Lynch’s ventures have included both fine dining experiences such as Menton and casual spots like Drink, the innovative cocktail bar that helped define the craft cocktail movement in the U.S. since its debut in 2008.
Source
boston.eater.com