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Extending a glimmer of hope for one of the city's oldest bars, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that the city would work with the owner of Neir's Tavern to help save the historic Queens business.
Earlier this week, proprietor Loycent Gordon announced that he would close the establishment, which has operated continuously in Woodhaven for 190 years. He said a new landlord last year had raised the rent from a little over $2,000/month to $3,100, an amount that he said was very difficult for him to pay and stay afloat. Now Gordon says the owner is asking for roughly $5,400. He told Gothamist on Thursday that he no longer had a lease but has been paying month to month.
On Friday morning, Gordon called into the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC and explained his plight to regular Friday guest Mayor Bill de Blasio, who responded by criticizing the landlord and saying that the city would help him save the business.
"This drives me crazy," he said. "I think it's really disrespectful of local communities and local culture."
"The original sin is greedy landlords," he added.
The mayor said his office could help Gordon explore grants through the city's department of Small Business Services, but he also said, "The landlord could do something good for New York City by backing off and allowing you to continue at a rent level that is achievable."
But reached by phone, Henry Shi, who owns the building, denied raising the rent.
“It’s bullshit," he said angrily. "I did not raise the rent yet."
He confirmed there is currently no lease with Gordon, and rhetorically asked, "How can I raise his rent?"
He then hung up the phone.
According to property records, Shi purchased the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial building for $1.35 million in December 2018 under an LLC. A marketing memo posted online indicates that he has been trying to sell the property for $2.39 million. In the memo, the current rent for the bar is stated as $4,000 a month with a projected future rent of $5,000. Other tenants in the building include a music school and a martial arts studio.
The description of the building states, "The bar on first floor is well-known and established for over 100 years. With proper management, the rental income has a lot add-value potential."
Reached after his call with the mayor, Gordon said he was aware of rumors that the landlord was trying to sell the building. Regarding his lease, he said Shi has not been willing to negotiate in good faith.
He said he would "absolutely" be interested in trying to rescue the business with the mayor's help. He was buoyed by de Blasio's response.
"It would give a semblance of hope that this little Queens community is not alone," he said.
[UPDATE] Late Friday, de Blasio's spokesperson tweeted that the mayor would appear at Neir's at 8 p.m. to "deliver some good news."
Shortly afterwards, the Queens Chamber of Commerce issued a press release announcing that Neir’s Tavern "will no longer be closing thanks to last minute negotiations between the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Council Member Robert Holden, Assembly Member Mike Miller, Mayor Bill de Blasio, the property owner and the business owner."
“We are very happy to have Neir’s Tavern stay open and continue our 190 years of continuous operation,” Gordon said in a statement.
Shi, along with co-owner Ken Shi, said, “Thank you to all parties for helping to make this project work. We are indebted to Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Robert Holden, NYS Assemblyman Mike Miller."
According to several reports, city officials had helped negotiate a five-year lease for Gordon.
During his appearance at Neir's, de Blasio poured drinks and announced that the city was awarding the landlords a $90,000 grant.
Gordon has long been seeking to give his watering hole, which has been called "the most famous bar you've never heard of," the respect he believes it rightly deserves.
On the cusp of the mayor's visit, he said: "I'm pleased that after all these years, he’s officially acknowledged us, that we exist and that we’re important."
