Popular Wallingford Restaurant To Remain Open

WALLINGFORD, CT — The owner of Tap & Vine in Wallingford is thanking his customers for making a “miracle” happen and helping to keep the restaurant open.

Owner Hector Samuel said last week that the restaurant might be forced to close for good due to a labor shortage that reached a “critical stage.” Samuel said he was down to one cook and would be forced to close if he couldn’t find more help in the kitchen by the end of the weekend.

The community rallied behind the popular restaurant, and some fellow restaurateurs offered to help.

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.

Samuel announced Monday that as a result of the quality of candidates showing interest in the positions, there is “no doubt that we will get the right people in place and remain open.”

While Tap & Vine will remain open, Samuel said the restaurant will be closed for the next two weeks to give the new hires time to give proper notice to their current employers. He also said they’ll use that time to “clean, paint, and re-charge our batteries.”

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

You made a miracle happen!

Although we haven't hired anyone yet, we've talked to some really talented people. While I would have like to have the process completed by now, several of the candidates weren't available to interview until today or tomorrow. With the quality of the candidates showing interest, there is no doubt that we will get the right people in place and remain open.

Having said that, we will be closed for the next two weeks so that the people we hire can give proper notice to their current employers. We'll use that time to clean, paint, and re-charge our batteries.

I can't begin to properly thank you all for your words of encouragement and the actions you took to help us. To my fellow restauranteurs, your offer to give up your free time to help us get through this was incredible. Although we won't need the help, the offer was a shot in the arm for all of us here. Just knowing that you were behind us was a great comfort.

With even more affection and gratitude,

Hector

Tap & Vine, 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.