Renowned Chef Barbara Lynch Closes Three Boston Restaurants, Sells Two Amid Industry Struggles

A significant shift as Barbara Lynch, a high-profile chef in the city, is downsizing her culinary empire. On Friday, the Barbara Lynch Collective pronounced the immediate closure of three prominent restaurants in the Fort Point neighborhood: Menton, Sportello, and Drink. Simultaneously, two others in the South End, The Butcher Shop and Stir are on the sales block, set to be taken over by Lynch's former protégés, according to an announcement cited by WHDH.

The decision to shutter the establishments came after failing to cooperatively negotiate with what has been described as an "uncooperative landlord." With the Boston restaurant industry still reeling from pandemic aftershocks, these closures arrive amidst financial struggles. Chief Operating Officer Lorraine Tomlinson-Hall remarked to WBUR, "I think the whole industry has felt the squeeze coming out of the pandemic," The closures mean 100 restaurant staffers are out of a job just as the city steps into a new year.

Despite the significant changes, the Collective has affirmed that three other Lynch ventures will remain open: No. 9 Park on Beacon Hill, B&G Oysters in the South End, and The Rudder in Gloucester. All outstanding gift cards for the closed restaurants are to be redeemed at these locations. Furthermore, the group is already redirecting its focus northward, as revealed by Lynch in the initial announcement.

Months prior, over 20 employees leveled accusations of abuse and fostering a toxic workplace environment against Lynch, allegations she has vehemently denied. The financial tribulations, compounded by these charges, paint a complex picture of a storied chapter in Boston's culinary history coming to an unforeseen close. "All of the sector had struggled to get back on the even keel that they've known before," Tomlinson-Hall told WBUR about the entire industry's post-pandemic recovery.

The Collective's forward movement is exemplified by the anticipated transition of Menton's head chef, Andrew Simonich, who is set to take up the reins at No. 9 Park.