The Meatball Shop Closes as Burke & Wills Reopens
On Thanksgiving Eve, one restaurant closed its doors for good while another was able to reopen after a stressful week.
The Meatball Shop at 447 Amsterdam Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets announced its sudden closure following dinner service on Wednesday. “Structural changes to the locations interior necessary to enable the restaurant to run were too cost prohibitive to continue operation,” a company spokesperson wrote. “The team is also looking to shift their focus to new projects on the horizon.” CEO Adam Rosenbaum said the chain plans to be explore “new opportunities in the neighborhood in the future.” This location had opened in 2014.
A staff member told us the workers found out today. The company spokesperson said the Meatball Shop would find new positions for employees at one of the chain’s other restaurants in the city.
Burke & Wills and The Manhattan Cricket Club on 79th Street, meanwhile, were able to reopen their doors after being shuttered by a state marshal last week because of tax issues. With those issues apparently resolved, the liquor was flowing and restaurant-goers chowed down on Australian delicacies. “I’m at MCC right now,” wrote Todd, who sent in the photo above. “It’s packed and so is B&W.”
No respect for wait staff or other workers. It is appalling.
I liked The Meatball Shop though it was a bit pricey.
This is a tragic day for Meatball Lovers on the Upper West Side and a Glorious day for lovers of Australian delicacies.
lol….Vegemite.
hahaha
I’m completely befuddled by the closing of
The Meatball Shop. Every time I’ve been
there it’s been packed. It seemed
to be doing so well. Sad to see it go.
The UWS – Where restaurants open only to Die !
Meatball shop was yummy and you could go healthy or unhealthy on ordering . Food was good and prices moderate . Will be missed
What a bummer. Meatball Shop was a great casual dinner. I don’t really follow the explanation why they’re shutting down, but sad to see them go.
This was my meeting (meating) place for me and my friend….good food, good drinks and local spot for all ages….may I suggest you find another location between 96th and 106th on Broadway! Way too many vacant spots there! Please?
Good. Less one less place promoting cruelty (killing animals) as desirable. Even if you lack compassion for animals, red meat is horrible for you!
Go jump in a lake!
MBS was my family’s go to restaurant…the perfect family restaurant. Something for everyone…So sad to see them go. The excuse seems bizarre. Wouldn’t structural issues be the landlords issue and would be covered by some sort of insurance? The UWS is becoming a ghost town…so disturbing.
The Meatball Shop was the most disgusting food I have ever eaten. Not sure how it survived this long, but most people running there don’t know anything about real Italian cooking anyhow. Hell- the Italian food and the Irish pub next door is better!!LOL
Last line should read “Italian food “In” the Irish Pub next door…”
Not surprised about the meatball shop. Never up to the standards of the other Italian Restaurants in the neighborhood.
No more balls for you.
I miss what was there before Meatball Shop, which was EJ’s Luncheonette.
I’m thrilled to see the Meatball Shop close. At $9 for the meatballs alone (an additional cost for the pasta), this place was ridiculous.
Polpette is the meatball shop of my hood. Meatball shop is fools gold… hype. Buh-Bye.