Frick Park Tavern in Regent Square set to reopen; owner seeks employees
Jimmy Brown knows what he wants for his birthday—customers.
“That would be the best present,” said Brown, who owns the Frick Park Tavern on Braddock Avenue in Regent Square which has been closed since December. “I think people are ready to come back.”
Brown plans on opening doors to the restaurant on April 14. He turns 41 that day.
The plan is to offer dinner hours to start. The restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Brown made the decision to close even before Gov. Tom Wolf shut down indoor dining the final three weeks of December because of the pandemic. His food sales had been steadily declining all summer, he said, and carried into the sale of alcohol which he said fell by by 10-15%.
He closed the week of Thanksgiving in November and then again in early December. Wolf’s shutdown was from Dec. 12-Jan. 4. Wolf recently announced the state would ease restaurant restrictions beginning Sunday.
Brown said he paid his chef the entire time. He has another line cook and himself. He said hiring staff has been a challenge in trying to compete with unemployment benefits and stimulus money. The difficulty in finding employees has been a refrain heard from restaurant owners locally and nationally.
Brown said he’s spent “thousands of dollars advertising for employment.”
“I had more than 20 people cancel or not show for an interview,” he said. “I am piecing together staff. Good thing I know how to cook.”
The space will be able to accommodate 70 people inside, which include eight bar seats as well as an additional 44 outside.
“It is very frustrating,” Brown said. “I have never seen anything like this in 20 years in business. I wanted to open March 30 and then April 6, but I didn’t have enough workers. At least I am opening. Some other restaurants aren’t and won’t every reopen.”
His ownership of the building is helpful, because he hasn’t had to pay rent. He kept up with utility payments.
He also has enough space to socially distance patrons.
Adding the deck last summer is a plus because it adds seating and also a space where people who prefer to be outside.
He said people have been stopping by asking when the tavern is re-opening.
“I love this neighborhood,” Brown said. “The people here have supported me since we opened. Maybe people will come out to eat on my birthday. That would really make my day.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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