De Blasio pledges to help stop Neir’s Tavern closure

The 190-year-old Neir’s Tavern was set to close on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Loy Gordon.

By Victoria Merlino

Neir’s Tavern, the 190-year-old Woodhaven bar that announced its imminent closure on Thursday, might not have to turn the lights off just yet. 

The bar’s owner, Loy Gordon, called into WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show on Friday to plead his case with Mayor Bill de Blasio, reminding de Blasio that his administration denied the tavern landmark status back in 2015.

“I know it's a private business, but isn't there some cultural like significance, we can recognize it in terms of like citywide, that we can kind of help protect this?” Gordon asked. “I’m fighting this greedy landlord because he wants like, you know, two and a half times more rent and we just can't do it. What powers can you use to help us?”

Gordon told Eater that the bar’s landlord wanted $5,400 a month for the space, a more than $2,000-per-month rent increase.

De Blasio told Gordon that he read about the situation with Neir’s, and that he would talk to the Landmarks Commission and have Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop speak to Gordon to see what steps could be taken. The city could assist with legal services, forgive or reduce fines, help with loans and take other measures to protect the business, de Blasio said. 

“I hope the landlord realizes and he's getting some attention today,” de Blasio said. “This is just absolutely inappropriate. This is a 190-year-old business. This is inappropriate. If you want to make a buck, this is not the way to do it.” 

Neir’s has been in operation in some capacity since 1829, though Gordon has owned it since 2009.

UPDATE 1/10/20 at 9:26 p.m.: With the help of Bishop and de Blasio, Neir’s has reached an agreement with their landlords Ken and Henry Shi, and will remain open.

“We are very happy to have Neir’s Tavern stay open and continue our 190 years of continuous operation,” said Gordon in a statement.

“Thank you to all parties for helping to make this project work. We are indebted to Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Robert Holden and NYS Assemblyman Mike Miller,” said Ken and Henry Shi in a statement.