Bill Granfield, president of the Unite Here Local 100 labor union, says he received a letter on December 9 stating the restaurant is closing and all employees will be permanently terminated on March 9, 2021. The union represents 120 of the restaurant’s approximately 140 workers, according to Granfield.
“In light of the ongoing global crisis and anticipated extended recovery period for the hospitality industry, it has become clear that it will not be feasible to reopen this business in its current form for the foreseeable future,” Belmond, 21 Club’s owners, said in a statement. “The company is committed to exploring potential alternative and transformative structural opportunities that will allow 21 Club to remain a viable operation in the long term, while retaining its distinctive character.”
From its perch on West 52nd street, 21 Club became a place to see and be seen for entertainers, business leaders and politicians.
The restaurant’s bar room is also decked with memorabilia from patrons, including contributions from Presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
Granfield believes the closing won’t be the final chapter for 21 Club. He believes it will reopen in some form once the coronavirus pandemic is under control. “There’s a future with vaccines, and 21 Club is part of it,” Granfield said.