M. Wells in Long Island City to close due to “astronomically high” rent
Gina Pace, NY Daily News writer
M. Wells, a Long Island City diner that's earned national attention for its French Canadian food, is set to close by the end of the month. The owners said they could not reach an agreement with their landlord, according to a letter posted to the food blog Eater via The Hungry Tiger.
"His proposal included astronomically high rent, a short length of lease and a strict buyout clause," owners Hugue Dufour and Sarah Obraitis wrote in the letter. "Nothing on the table offered us a favorable environment in which to continue to do business. After several months of trying to negotiate, we relented and accepted the fact that we weren't meant to remain his tenant."
An employee of the restaurant told The Wall Street Journal that the restaurant has selected another location in Long Island City. When the Daily News called, an employee said it was unclear where the restaurant was moving.
"All we know for sure is that we are closing here at the end of the month," he said.
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M. Wells gained notoriety for serving dishes like pickled pork tongue and meatloaf for four served with spaetzle and knuckles of fois gras out of a chrome-sided diner car. It's been open about a year.
