Nearly two weeks after the bank holding the mortgage on the financially beleaguered Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub began foreclosure proceedings on its original location in Bethlehem, the owner said Tuesday he is working to save the business.
After saying on Monday, “The plan is not to close,” owner Dave Swift closed the two remaining Swifty’s locations, on Delaware Avenue and on Everett Road in Colonie, from Tuesday through Thursday this week for what a sign on the door calls a “spring break.” They will reopen Friday, according to the signs. The third Swifty’s, in Utica, never reopened after the business was seized in December for more than $2 million in unpaid sales and withholding taxes. Swift confirmed Tuesday that the Utica location is permanently closed.
In his first public comments since NBT Bank filed a lawsuit on April 2 to begin foreclosure proceedings, Swift said he hopes to rebuild staff and continue to “provide our patrons the best possible service.” Both Swifty’s were open on Monday, though the Delaware Avenue location was not serving food, and staff told patrons the manager’s last day had been Sunday…