Bucks County steakhouse closes due to landlord dispute, according to the owner.

Rocco’s at the Brick Hotel in Newtown, Bucks County, has unexpectedly closed its doors, leaving approximately 50 employees without jobs just as the holiday season approaches. The abrupt closure, which occurred over the weekend, was attributed to a conflict between the restaurant’s ownership and its landlord, Verindar Kaur, who also holds the liquor license necessary for the establishment to operate.

According to David Gelman, son of Rocco’s owner Marc Gelman, the decision to shut down stemmed from Kaur’s recent filing with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to remove Rocco’s LLC from the liquor license associated with the restaurant. This maneuver effectively nullified the management agreement that has been in place since Rocco’s opened in January 2018, underpinning the importance of the liquor license to the restaurant’s business operations.

The operational agreement allowed Rocco’s to serve alcoholic beverages, a vital component of its service. In exchange for a fixed monthly fee and a percentage of revenue along with what David Gelman described as “Center City-level” rent, Marc Gelman managed the restaurant under Kaur’s liquor license. David Gelman indicated that the warning of potential termination of this agreement was delivered via email late last week, with a demand for new financial terms set for the following day.

While Kaur was reached for comment on the matter, she indicated that she was unable to discuss the situation further. The PLCB has confirmed receipt of a notice regarding changes to the ownership structure associated with the liquor license, suggesting that Kaur’s actions were aimed at altering the existing arrangement with the Gelmans.

David Gelman explained that the forced closure of Rocco’s was not a course they wished to take, as the absence of a liquor license rendered the restaurant unable to function. He stated that the landlord’s actions represented a breach of both the lease and the management agreement, leading to plans for a potential lawsuit seeking damages.

Prior to the closure, Rocco’s had secured a substantial number of reservations for Thanksgiving and corporate holiday parties. To alleviate some of the impact on customers, the Gelman family has directed affected individuals to their other dining establishments, the Pub in Pennsauken and Library II in Voorhees, which are also managed by them. Gift card holders from Rocco’s can seek refunds through communication with the restaurant.

In a bid to manage inventory effectively and minimize waste, remaining seafood, meat, and produce supplies from Rocco’s have been transferred to the other venues owned by the Gelman family. The restaurant, which was situated on the first floor of the historic Brick Hotel—an establishment with roots dating back to 1763—has had a tumultuous history, including a previous ownership that faced scrutiny during its appearance on the television series Hotel Hell, hosted by Gordon Ramsay.

As the community seeks to support the displaced employees, the Mercer-Bucks-Central Jersey Eateries Facebook group has emerged as a resource for job opportunities, reflecting the communal impact of the unexpected closure.