Bonniebrook Clubhouse closes, employees surprised
Employees of Bonniebrook Clubhouse heard from the owner of the restaurant and bar that it would be closing at the end of October. When the end of October came, the staff of the restaurant in Herman heard there was a potential buyer, who would take over some time in November.
On Nov. 30, they received a group text message from Robert Steighner that said Bonniebrook Clubhouse was closed.
Robin Fundark, who was a bartender at Bonniebrook Clubhouse, said she and the rest of the staff of the restaurant were surprised by this news and its method of delivery, and many of them are now pursuing unemployment compensation while seeking new jobs.
“Everybody is just trying to get that straightened out,” Fundark said. “With Christmas coming up, everyone is just scrambling.”
Fundark said there were around 10 people employed at Bonniebrook Clubhouse when it closed. She also said the restaurant’s Facebook page referenced a lack of staff as its reason for closing, which Fundark took issue with.
“When they sent us the text, which was vague, there was no reason,” Fundark said. “The sign is down, the marquee just says they are closed. I don't see anything going on there.”
Jason Perry, who was the kitchen manager at Bonniebrook Clubhouse, said he also was upset by the sudden closing and found out on the day he was about to start work at the restaurant again after getting medical treatment.
“They came at us and said that 'We're going to be shutting down at the end of October,'” Perry said. “Then they came to us and said they had somebody interested.
“All of a sudden the end of November they told us they were shutting the doors. No warning.”
Ginny Bold, a bartender at the Bonniebrook Clubhouse, said the restaurant was running out of inventory in its waning days, which had been a pattern throughout her five-year tenure there.
“Towards the end of November there were some things we didn't have in stock,” Bold said. “We ran the place, making sure we had everything we needed.”
While the staff members are upset about losing a source of income, they are also sad to see the Bonniebrook Clubhouse close, after having invested so much into its customer base.
“It's a shame, and I hate to see it go down like that,” Perry said. “We built relationships and friendships and ran that place.”
Fundark said she will miss her “regulars” most of all.
“It was the most happening bar in Herman, and I know the community is really bummed,” Fundark said. “I met a lot of great people. Everybody knew everybody.”
Steighner did not respond to calls for comment.
