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Central Park’s historic Loeb Boathouse is closing its doors.
First established in the early 1860s, and rebuilt in the 1950s by philanthropist Carl M. Loeb, the lakeside restaurant was a quintessential New York café in the heart of Central Park.
A filing with the Department of Labor cites that “unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19” are its reasons for closure.
The Loeb Boathouse was once a popular destination for tourists considering its one-of-a-kind setting. A former worker at Loeb Boathouse, told The City that the restaurant relies on “thousands” of customers to keep its doors open each year.
With a record-low summer season for tourism across the city, the restaurant had no choice but to shutter.
The waterside locale did not reopen for outdoor or indoor dining since the pandemic began nearly eight months ago. All 163 employees of the café who temporarily furloughed back in March have now been laid off.
The restaurant hopes to reopen again in April of next year, though no future plans have emerged yet. If you hadn't visited The Boathouse in person, you’ve likely seen the picturesque restaurant in a slew of films over the years, including the classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally.
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