The Fox Pub & Grill closed its doors without warning this weekend, stunning faithful customers.
Executive Chef Suzanne Rockwell says she was shocked to find this note on the door Sunday morning: “Sorry for the inconvenience. Reopening soon with: New chef, new menu, new look.”
The Fox had been up for sale, but employees were not forewarned about the sudden closure of the restaurant. It’s not an uncommon practice when ownership changes hands, said Jerry Roszkowski, the restaurant’s former co-owner.
Roszkowski says he informed Rockwell of the impending sale eight days before it happened and phoned her personally Sunday morning to tell her the restaurant was closed. He was not aware that the new owner had posted a sign on the door indicating Rockwell was out of a job.
While Rockwell will not be there when the doors reopen, some of the former Fox staff may stay. New owner Jim Henderson says he has talked to most of the former staff personally and is hoping to keep many of the familiar faces from The Fox.
“A lot of them have been there a long time and will continue to work there,” Henderson said.
Henderson plans to reopen the restaurant with a new name (to be announced) during the week of Feb. 16. In the meantime, he’s planning a minor interior remodel at the neighborhood restaurant at Fox and Oaklandon roads.
“The restaurant will stay non-smoking, family-friendly and similar in price point,” Henderson said.
A new chef will unveil a menu that Henderson says is “traditional American food with a ‘wow’ factor.” More healthy choices such as salads, wraps and vegetarian dishes also will be added, and the wine and beer lists will be improved.
Rockwell, who assumed the role as Executive Chef two years ago, worries about many of her employees who live paycheck-to-paycheck. The restaurant also employed Lawrence Township special education students as dish washers. Rockwell says her staff was well liked, and she hopes to help them find new jobs quickly. As for herself, Rockwell will likely go back to being a private chef.
“There’s a right way and a wrong way to transition a business from one owner to another,” Rockwell said. “This was just cruel.”
