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One of Jose Garces’s two Distrito restaurants is closing down this weekend, as the chef prepares to auction off the assets of his restaurant group next month.
The news that the Moorestown, New Jersey, location of the cantina would shutter went public via Twitter on Thursday afternoon; Philly.com also published the news earlier on. Its final service will be on Saturday (June 2).
That article notes that 34 full-time employees will be affected, but would be accommodated elsewhere in the Garces group. It hypothesizes that the Moorestown Distrito was likely one of the group’s lesser-performing establishments, hence the decision to eliminate it from the company’s portfolio before a June auction.
Garces initially tried to file his group’s restaurants for bankruptcy a month ago, but was stalled when three investors in restaurants Amada, Tinto, and Village Whiskey took Garces to court, arguing that he had improperly secured the votes to make that filing. Garces won in court last week, allowing that filing to go ahead (with the exception of his taqueria, Buena Onda).
With heavy hearts we announce this Saturday will be our last dinner service. We are so grateful for all the love and support our customers and staff has shown us for nearly 4 years. Come visit us at our @DistritoPHL location where you can still enjoy your favorite dishes!
— Distrito Moorestown (@DistritoNJ) May 31, 2018
The Garces group is sitting on an over $6 million bid from Louisiana company Ballard Brands, and with the auction approaching in late June, more bids are possible.
