Marathon 'elected' to close?
Court records show a debt to the landlord of more than $186,000.
Marathon 'elected' to close?
Michael Klein, Philly.com
There are at least two sides to every story, and the seemingly abrupt closing of the Marathon Grill at 1339 Chestnut St. on Dec. 7 is no different.
Marathon released a statement late that evening, explaining: "Due to increasing rental expenses, Marathon has elected to close its Broad and Chestnut Street location."
Philadelphia Municipal Court records show Marathon was evicted from its location of 15 years over back rent of more than $186,600. The landlord filed suit back in March. Several extensions delayed any action. (See the notice.)
It's highly unusual for an eviction to be carried out during business hours.
A now-unemployed waitress, who asked me not to disclose her identity, said she and other servers were wrapping up the lunch rush about 3 p.m. when a woman asked to see the manager. At once, two men came in and changed the door locks. A Philadelphia police officer stood in the doorway. Staff was ordered to tell customers, some of whom were still eating, that they had to leave. Their food was packed up to go. Then staff - including cooks and dishwashers - was told to gather their personal belongings and leave.
Staff got an email about 4 p.m. that read:
HEY EVERYONE, We will be closed tonight and tomorrow. We will be keeping everyone updated on changes that are happening and [manager] will call a meeting as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience during this time. Management
This was followed at midnight by another:
- Well big mouth. I've worked in many restaurants. That's life. It's not fair. Quit your bellyaching. People lose jobs all of the time. Blame the ownership and management for not performing properly and STFU.
— bushmciworlcomenron - ^ do you feel good now knowing you're a total d? — gmd09
- Are these the same people that paid off their parking tickets with food trays?— phillytwo
- This is the same Marathon who a few years ago was under fire for not turning over tips that patrons charged to credit cards. I think they may have been in violation of other labor laws also, relating to not paying overtime and hiring illegals. Another pillar of integrity in the business world.— farhorizons
- Have to agree with blunted1. Marathon's food is so-so and the service is even less impressive. Nothing to treasure about an unmemorable meal and a server that's the bored hipster version of a McDonald's drive thru jockey.— justsayin
The Ho Sai Gai which owns two restaurants in china town was recently evicted from the Port Richmond shopping center for owing $152,000.00 in back rent. They originally posted a sign saying they were closed for repair that said " We serve you rice in china town" Seemed like they did good business there. I can't see the rent being as high here as it was where the marathon grill was.— duh66- I am pretty sure that the restaurant that wasn't giving its credit card-charged tips to the servers was Blue, the Neil Stein place that used to be over by Rittenhouse Square. It was not Marathon Grill.
- Bye Bye Marathon. don't come back. your service was poor and slooooooow. Pay your rent next time.— Tyrone Biggums
- Marathon was all right, ok. Not awful, not good. That being said, posters here complaining about slow service probably have not worked as a waiter, or in the food industry, and as a result, they have 0 sympathy for people. Yeah, sometimes you have to wait if it's busy. Yep. I know life is hard. Obviously the police could have done this differently, but as usual they wanted to make it dramatic and show their power. Doesn't that disturb you?— corporatehuman
- Someone else will take over that location in seconds.— Northeaster
- you people are so rude, i was an employee there and maybe it wasnt perfect all of the time, but ive worked incredibly hard there and i know the rest of the staff there had as well. Is anyone thinking about the fact that the only people you're offending are people like ME who tried incredibly hard to give good, service, or how about the cooks in the kitchen who are now out of a job and all you rude inconsiderate people do is rag on how bad there cooking was. how about you have a soul and realize that things you say hurt people and it is so unnecessary and offensive to everyone i worked with. now when you go to work tomorrow to make money to pay for christmas presents for your friends in family, think about all of the "bad servers" and "terrible cooks" that wont be able to get new jobs to pay rent because people like you sit there and complain to the world about how terrible they are.— gmd09
