Mamma mia, right here we go once more!
Longtime restaurateur Stratis Morfogen, who was embroiled in a trademark infringement lawsuit with Mr. Chow over rooster satay, is now accused of ripping off one other New York establishment: Broadway staple Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
Morfogen has been dreaming of opening a brand new location for his Gramercy Park restaurant, Diner 24, within the Theater District — and never solely is it a block from Stardust, however it would additionally function a singing employees, the schtick that has made Ellen’s beloved by vacationers from Oklahoma to Gary, Indiana.
Stardust proprietor Ellen Hart is aware of her servers could be tempted to maneuver to her new competitor. And she or he tells them they will not go.
After the Put up’s Aspect Dish broke the information of the brand new restaurant, an Ellen’s human assets supervisor wrote in an electronic mail obtained by Web page Six: “As a lot of it’s possible you’ll know, Diner 24 will quickly be opening in our space and plans to have singing servers, much like Ellen’s. This growth makes this an acceptable time for all workers to evaluation the corporate’s battle of curiosity coverage, as outlined within the worker handbook (and hooked up right here to your reference).
Hart challenges mimicry. A supply near the scenario advised Web page Six that the previous Miss Subways “is livid that [Morfogen’s] copy its mannequin.
However Morfogen says she will not rain on his parade, scoffing on the concept of him being a copycat, telling Web page Six: “For 30 years, I’ve by no means heard of Ellen! And we simply do a easy dinner and performances on the second flooring. I by no means knew she had a monopoly on a waiter taking a microphone.”
One other supply claimed that Morforgen should have had a nasty reminiscence, saying he had been to Stardust a number of instances and had even spoken to the supervisor and inventive director.
“He went to the restaurant and was welcomed into the neighborhood. He was invited and watched the exhibits on a number of events,” they claimed.
“I used to be there as soon as for 35 minutes and [the] the director welcomed me. I did not meet anybody else. I ate half the burger and left,” Morforgen mentioned, encouraging them to “show it with cameras.”
Hart didn’t reply to HR’s electronic mail, however advised us, “We have now been in enterprise for nearly 40 years in New York and something good will seemingly be replicated. Imitation is the best type of flattery and enterprise relies on competitors.”
She concluded her assertion by quoting Mel Robbins’ e-book, “The Let Them Idea,” which she is presently studying. “I agree together with her on the mindset. So allow them to do it,” she mentioned.
In the meantime, it would not seem like that philosophy will apply to its workers, from head chef to bottle washer, come September 21, when Morfogen lands with Diner 24.
And although he hasn’t employed any of Ellen’s employees, he is not losing their probability. “Everyone seems to be welcome to work at Diner 24,” he mentioned.
“We have now no restrictions and we’re right here to assist not solely the humanities, but in addition the hospitality business, and plenty of of our present workers work at different eating places…They will work at any restaurant or restaurant of their alternative whereas working at Diner 24,” Morfogen concluded.