Dockside Bensalem closed suddenly on Monday, leaving shocked customers and staff behind

Laura Burd couldn’t wait to surprise her 70-year-old father^This birthday.

He and his mother had been planning this for months; She was making reservations at one of her favorite restaurants, sending out invitations, and counting down the days until she could celebrate with friends and family. Port Bensalem this Sunday.

But just six days before the party, he heard that Dockside was closing permanently.

“I went on Facebook yesterday to find that people were saying the restaurant was closing without any notification from the restaurant’s owners or employees,” Burd said Tuesday afternoon.

Her mother then went to Dockside, where a staff member confirmed the restaurant was closed.

“We frantically searched local places to book something,” he added. “Luckily we found another place and made a reservation yesterday.”

Dockside, which reopened under the new ownership of Matthew Rossi in April last yearwas known for its beachfront dining experience paired with an upscale, casual menu and craft cocktails.

This news organization’s attempts to reach Rossi were not immediately successful, and messages left at each of his businesses were not returned as of Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, a large box truck was seen propped up toward the front entrance, where tables, chairs and other furniture were stacked outside.

In addition to Dockside, Rossi also owns Nick’s Roast Beef on Woodhaven Road in northeast Philadelphia, which also reportedly closed permanently on Monday.

As of Wednesday, neither business had announced a temporary or permanent closure on their websites or social media accounts. Instead, Dockside and Nick’s Roast Beef announced that both businesses are accepting reservations for holiday parties through Saturday.

The closure of Dockside came as a surprise to the employees

News of the closure spread quickly on social media Monday morning, as restaurant staff and customers voiced their concerns.

That’s how a Dockside employee learned he no longer had a job.

“I took my dog ​​for a walk and turned on my phone. That’s when I saw someone post a screenshot in one of the Facebook groups showing that Google had listed Dockside as “permanently shut down,” recalled one worker who asked to remain anonymous while waiting for his last paycheck.

“This all happened at the last minute. I’m sad, devastated and angry. It’s Christmas time and I have a five-year-old and my rent is due for the first time and I don’t know how to do it,” they said.

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Live music, holiday and wedding plans derailed as Dockside closes

A variety of sentiments were shared in various Facebook and Instagram posts, voicing concerns about holiday parties and weddings that may need to be rebooked elsewhere.

An anonymous poster in the Bensalem community Facebook group wrote, “Good morning, anyone hear about the harbor side closing?” he asked. “I have a wedding there booked for October 2026 and I haven’t heard anything but I see they are closing everywhere.”

Others asked for suggestions on places to take last-minute Thanksgiving dinner reservations or host holiday parties.

At the same time, local musicians are scheduled to perform upcoming concerts at Dockside and Nick’s Roast Beef. LJ Hall-Music And two to escapeposted updates on their social media pages, informing their followers that their show had been cancelled.

History repeats itself in Bensalem coastal area

Dockside’s closing provides a model for Bensalem waterfront dining.

Before opening as Dockside, the location at 1067 Totem Road was formerly Water’s Edge Gastropub and LoungeIt closed in August 2022, leaving event bookers and couples planning weddings helpless.

Bucks County Consumer Protection, Weights and Measures Director Michael Bannon said complaints began pouring in against the business shortly after what started as a temporary closure.

He said several customers claimed that Water’s Edge took deposits for various events and then processed them, despite previously announcing its closure. He said these complaints remain unresolved to date.

“It’s always so tragic when that happens, it’s so hard on the consumer, especially when it comes to weddings or events,” Bannon said.

As of Wednesday morning, they had not received any complaints about Dockside’s closure, Bannon said. But he recommended that anyone having problems with their deposit should report it by filing a ticket with Bucks County Consumer Protection. online complaint form or call the department at 215-348-6060.

Bensalem’s Dockside property is up for sale

The property, which includes Dockside, the Neshaminy Inn, a four-story apartment building and a development parcel, was listed for sale weeks ago.

said Todd Monahan of Wolf Commercial Real Estate, the property’s listing agent. property sale He had nothing to do with Dockside’s closing, adding that he and the property owner, William Rushton of Rushton, LLC, only became aware of the closing on Monday.

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, arts and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article first appeared in the Bucks County Courier Times: Dockside Bensalem and Nick’s Roast Beef are closing without notice