Barbara Lynch downsizes Boston restaurant empire with sales and closures

The Barbara Lynch Collective today announced it will sell two noted South End restaurants to former protégés of the famed chef and restaurateur, and shutter three Fort Point establishments "because of an uncooperative landlord," according to a press release.

Menton, Sportello and Drink in Fort Point will close immediately, with 100 staffers losing their jobs. The Butcher Shop and Stir in the South End are under agreement for sale.

Three Lynch restaurants will remain open: No. 9 Park on Beacon Hill,  B&G Oysters in the South End, and The Rudder in Gloucester.

All gift cards for the closing restaurants will be honored at No. 9, B&G Oysters or The Rudder. Anyone who booked private parties will be contacted directly in the coming days, according to the statement.

News of the closures and sales comes months after more than 20 employees accused Lynch of creating an abusive and toxic workplace in her restaurants. Lynch has vehemently denied the claims.

Chief Operating Officer Lorraine Tomlinson-Hall said the closing restaurants were struggling financially and fell three months behind in their rent. She said efforts to negotiate a recovery plan with the landlord failed.

"I think the whole industry has felt the squeeze coming out of the pandemic," Tomlinson-Hall said. "All of the sector had struggled to get back on the even keel that they've known before."

Tomlinson-Hall said that some employees of the closing restaurants will move to other Lynch establishments. This includes Menton head chef Andrew Simonich, who will take the vacant position at No. 9 Park.