A Fork & Barrel Update: Closed, Indeed
UPDATE (4/28): For an update on this story, including information on a new lawsuit filed, go here.
Earlier this morning, Foobooz relayed a rumor that Fork & Barrel, the esteemed East Falls beer bar, was closing. Unfortunately for the residents of Northwestern Philadelphia, the rumor is true.
From co-owner Matt Swartz:
It’s been a great year at Fork & Barrel in East Falls, but we made a
business decision to close since The Farmers’ Cabinet has so many of the
same elements. We hope that our Fork & Barrel customers will continue
to visit us in the city. We’ve also decided to close Tap and Table in
Emmaus and bring the concept to Philadelphia in the coming months. The
new restaurant will also have an Old World atmosphere, a menu based on
fresh-ingredients including fondue, mussels, flatbreads, sandwiches and
entrees and will feature American and European craft beers. We’ve had
incredible opening success at The Farmers’ Cabinet and look forward to
our next venture in the city. The Bookstore, our 1920s speakeasy, in
Bethlehem will remain open.
Based on what they’ve done with the Farmer’s Cabinet, I look forward to seeing a Tap and Table in Philadelphia, assuming they can make that happen. And good news for the Lehigh Valley: their first and only “speakeasy” remains.
An Update to the Update: Yesterday afternoon, Mark Sherman — the East Falls developer who owns the Fork & Barrel bricks — got in touch with Foobooz, contending that the F&B owners left suddenly and without warning or, as Sherman put it, “tearing out in the middle of the night.” He says he intends to take legal action. Swartz has not responded to an interview request. Guess we’ll let you guys sort it out in court.
