Loeb Boathouse in Central Park closes due to rising costs

(DailyExpertNews) — One of New York City’s best-known locations, Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, is closing this fall.

The owner of the restaurant and event space, Dean J. Poll, filed paperwork with the City of New York, stating that he intended to close the business.

“Due to rising labor costs and the cost of goods, the company will close permanently on 10/16/22, affecting a total of 163 employees,” he wrote.

However, the boathouse itself does not close. The current building, built in 1954, is owned by the city.

Central Park is owned by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, but day-to-day management is provided by the Central Park Conservancy.

There are many famous and often photographed spots in the park, including the Alice in Wonderland statue and the Delacorte Theatre, which is home to Shakespeare in the Park.

But even among that group, the boathouse stood out. It has been a popular filming location, with scenes from movies and TV shows such as “Sex and the City”, “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Manchurian Candidate” shot there.

Crystal Howard, a spokeswoman for the Department of Parks and Recreation, told the DailyExpertNews that her agency was actively seeking a new operator for the Loeb Boathouse restaurant.

She added that they also work with people who have booked future events such as weddings at the Boathouse “in good faith”.

The boathouse isn’t the only New York City attraction that’s closed since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020.

The legendary Barney’s department store closed its doors in 2020. The Roosevelt Hotel, briefly home to Don Draper on Mad Men, also said goodbye that year.

Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA