RUSSIAN TEA ROOM TO CLOSE ITS DOORS

As another sign that the effects of 9/11 and the bursting of the stock market balloon have seriously damaged the economic climate of New York City, it was announced today that the recently remodeled RUSSIAN TEA ROOM, famed for nearly 75 years as a favorite of folks in the entertainment industry, will close its doors on Sunday night, July 28th.

This is of special importance to the NY cabaret community since it was recently announced that the restaurant would resume jazz and cabaret performances, and that three performers had already been booked for summer dates. Several others were in contact with the booking agent for the room regarding fall dates.

Once the pride and joy of Faith Stewart Gordon, the four story building was purchased a few years ago by the late Warner LeRoy, owner of TAVERN ON THE GREEN. It was closed for many months and complete gutted, remodeled and redecorated from top to bottom. The decorations in the re-opened space ranged from the exquisite to the gaudy.

The restaurant reported that the closure was delayed as long as possible in spite of mounting losses. With a seating capacity of over 800, the daily dining count had dropped to less than 400 per day. In its heyday, the restaurant was serving over 1000 diners per day and was among the top three highest grossing eating establishments in NYC, along with THE RAINBOW ROOM (now mainly used for privately catered events) and TAVERN ON THE GREEN.

For more information, see http://www.russiantearoom.com/

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