ITHACA, N.Y. — Simeon’s restaurant managers are wrapping up hiring staff before the tentative Aug. 1 reopening at the newly repaired and rebuilt location on the Ithaca Commons.
Manager Hope Smith said around one-third of the former employees are returning — about 8 in the front of house positions and about 4 in the back of house.
“Oh, all of us who were there beforehand are so excited to see it opening,” she said, noting that the staff has been positive about coming back to work.
The restaurant has been closed since June 20, 2014 after a tractor-trailer full of cars crashed into the eatery. Several people were injured and pregnant young bartender Amanda Bush was killed.
This is the second week Smith has been handing out applications at a table directly next to Simeon’s at 224 E. State St. The last day to pick up and submit applications is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Smith said the restaurant’s tentative Aug.1 opening date is due to work being done on an elevator, which appears to be moving along on schedule.
She’s slightly hesitant, however, to say that’s for sure the opening date because there have been previous setbacks to the opening already. She recommended that people keep an eye on the Simeon’s Facebook page for any changes.
Plans are still being made about how to celebrate the grand opening.