Leonardo’s workers are POed, and rightfully so
The Journal Star is reporting that workers at the shuttered
My two cents: I’ve known too many restaurant owners who’s final act before closing up shop was to make sure their workers got paid, even if it meant that they did without and even if they were handed cash off the books.
This is not the act of a person with character. Stiff your suppliers. Stiff your landlord. Stiff the government. Bend the law. But for God’s sake, pay your workers because they live from paycheck to paycheck.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
From what I’ve heard, they pulled the same stunt at the War Memorial location. Workers showed up to find that the place was closed. Talk about sleazy!
“Stiff the government” – You never stiff the government – they stiff you with interest and penalties.
Even though there is no excuse for this, I’ve also seen the exact opposite. Owners announcing they are closing as a heads up to the staff, and all sorts of food, liquor and other things end up MIA along with the employees. I guess whoever the “good” person in this situation gets screwed.
I sympathize with them as it has happened to me.
I agree with chefkevin. Also, when anyone files bankruptcy, it’s my understanding that it takes some time to work out the debt situation (who will get paid, when and how much.) And the government and taxes ALWAYS get paid Billy, whether you like it or not. I can’t believe you are that naive. The bankruptcy judge will determine the process of who gets paid first. So it seems some patience is in order here on the part of the employees, who automatically run to the press and whine, jumping to the conclusion that they will not get paid at all. They don’t know this for a fact. Wait and see what the bankruptcy judge decides, and meanwhile, find another job.
Nothing stopped LaHood from paying off his workers before he filed for bankruptcy. You can also lock the doors (preventing theft) and STILL hand out paychecks. And none of these people are sitting around refusing to work.
Billy,
I was talking about theft during business hours when employees knew within a few days or weeks time they were without employment. People would show up for work and half way through their shift disappear along with three bottles of Grey Goose (or something along the likes). No reason for Leonardos to stiff its workers, though. And Bob, as a former cook\server\bartender in the restaurant biz, I know a lot of these people live paycheck to paycheck and were counting on it now to pay bills, not 8 months from now when the bankruptcy people get it all worked out. I’m sure “patience wasn’t in order” when drinks needed being made, tables needed bussed or pizzas needed made.
Whats the big deal? Congressman Bob did the same thing at Morton’s Blue Max 20 years ago.
Was it the Blue Max or Redbud Tree\Peppermill fiasco?
i stand corrected, confused by the many fine dineries in morton.
I’m one of the 24 who got dicked by LaHood. He’s down right scum if you ask me for what he did because he ran a 30 year old tradition into the ground. The same people came in the same time same day and now they’re out of their favorite place. Here’s a good example of sleeze. Lahood wanted the manager to get some of the old employees together to move the stuff out of grand prairie to their banquet hall in washington. The jackass didn’t pay us for ‘nardo’s so how stupid did he think we were?
Interesting…