Philly's City Tavern Reopens During Gov't Shutdown

A historic Philadelphia restaurant forced to close because of the government shutdown reopened on Saturday with the government's permission. City Tavern chef/operator Walter Staib tells CBS Philly in the video below that in the 10 days the restaurant was closed it lost some $125,000 in revenue. He also believes there will be more losses from reservations he's already cancelled. City Tavern was forced to shutter because it is located inside Independence National Historical Park.

Staib tells the Philadelphia Business Journal that he appealed to local politicians like Mayor Michael Nutter, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, and Congressmen Bob Brady. Brady tells NBC Philadelphia: "I made a lot of phone calls and did a little bit of twisting of arms ... Why would you not want to let it stay open? You're talking about 80 jobs. And they're the jobs that tug at your heart. The waiters, the waitresses and the bartenders."

The City Tavern isn't the only restaurant that's been allowed to reopen during the shutdown. After defying shutdown orders by reopening, the Cliff House in San Francisco was forced to close again. Like City Tavern, the Cliff House was permitted to reopen its doors on Saturday. Below, City Tavern's Walter Staib talks about how the shutdown has impacted his business:

Video: Historic City Tavern Reopens Amid Government Shutdown

· Historic City Tavern Reopens Amid Government Shutdown [CBS Philly]
· Intense Government Shutdown Negotiations Help Tavern Reopen [PBJ]
· Restaurant Closed by Government Shutdown Reopens [NBC Philadelphia]
· All Shutdown Coverage on Eater [-E-]