Popular Wallingford Restaurant Might Close Due To Labor Shortage

WALLINGFORD, CT — With its labor shortage reaching a “critical stage,” the owner of Tap & Vine in Wallingford said the restaurant will be close for good over the weekend if it can’t hire more help.

Owner Hector Samuel told WFSB 3 that he’s been in the restaurant business for 45 years, and it’s always been his dream to own a restaurant. However, if he can’t get enough help in the kitchen, Samuel said he’ll be forced to close Tap & Vine after more than 5 ½ years in business.

The restaurant, located at 171 Quinnipiac St. in Wallingford, is described as a “unique establishment with an amazing, ever changing beer menu, carefully curated wines, creative cocktails and some AHHMAZING food,” according to its Facebook page.

Samuel posted the following message on Facebook and at the restaurant’s website to his loyal customers:

As you all know, there are labor shortages in all areas of the economy. Restaurants have been hit hard and Tap & Vine is no exception. At any given time, we have been short a cook or two for the past 18 months.

That shortage has now reached a critical stage for us. We are facing a moment when we will only have one cook on our staff. That is just not a tenable position for us. There is no way for any one person in our kitchen to prepare enough food fast enough to satisfy anyone's standards, let alone ours.

In order to survive as a viable business, we need to hire both a chef and a line cook in one week. In today's crazy labor market, it can take months to fill one position. The odds of us filling both positions in a week are heavily stacked against us.

We are doing everything in our power to make it happen, but in the meantime, we are, unfortunately, preparing to close Tap & Vine. Without success in our job search, our last day of business will be Sunday, November 14th.

It has been an honor for us to be a part of Wallingford's diverse dining scene for the 5+ years. We've enjoyed the opportunity to carve out our own little niche.

On behalf of Missy, Bubba, Kristin, Gabe, Chelsea, Veronica, Lindsay, and Travis, thank you so much for your support. We've enjoyed being a part of your nights out, happy hours, celebrations, and boozy brunches.

With luck, we'll continue to be here, but reality is against us.

With great affection and gratitude,

Hector

Samuel told FOX 61 that anyone looking for work can call the restaurant at 203-774-0660, apply in person or on Indeed.

Some local restaurant owners are also trying to pull together to help keep Tap & Vine open.

NBC Connecticut reported that Chris Nakis, who owns The Chuckwagon in Wallingford, put out a plea on social media asking locals to pitch in to take some shifts until Tap & Vine finds the kitchen help they need to stay open.

Read more at NBC Connecticut here.