Nick’s Roast Beef in Northeast Philadelphia closed its doors for good on Mar. 5 after 53 years. But its West Chester location will continue to operate as usual, writes Michael Klein for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The eatery has not shuttered because of a lack of business. The building in which the sports bar was located was sold in January, and owner Matt Rossi said he was unable to come to terms with the new landlord who wanted to nearly double his rent.
All the employees will have a guaranteed place at Rossi’s second Nick’s near the Philadelphia Mills mall. He is also the owner of catering and food-truck businesses.
“Nobody is going to miss a beat,” he said.
The location in West Chester is not owned by Rossi.
The Chester County business is run by Lili McKinney and her husband, Jeff. McKinney is the daughter of Nick DeSipio, whose father Nicholas DeSipio opened a beef-and-ale house in South Philadelphia in 1938, which is considered to be Nick’s Roast Beef predecessor. The pair also still owns the South Philadelphia location, named Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef.
Read more about Nick’s Roast Beef in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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