Update at 11:54 a.m. on June 27th:
Speaking about GotChef's departure, President Kathy Alagno had this to say:
"We're very sorry to see GotChef leaving. However, that is a legal leasing situation they have there. Therefore, we have no control over it. I can understand why commuters are upset, I'm upset. The food was great there. GotChef did not come to us and ask us for any help. Nobody's approached us."
Update at 11:34 a.m. on June 27th:
In an email, Milford Development Director Bob Gregory noted:
The city does not control the rr station or the land around it. It is owned by DOT and leased to the Milford Transit District. The MFAC had an arrangement with GotChef to use utilities in return for a monthly fee.
Additional attempts have been made to gain a response from the Milford Fine Arts Council. They've been unsuccessful thus far. Updates will follow accordingly.
Original Story:
It began with one email from a Milford commuter:
The will no longer be at the Milford Train Station. Not sure why. Can you find out for us? Super bummed at this news.
On GotChef's Facebook page, they confirmed:
Very sad that tomorrow is our last day at the Milford Train Station :( We will miss our awesome customers and enjoyed putting a smile on your faces - even at 8pm after a long commute.....
After two hours, GotChef's post had 17 comments, all of them mentioning that GotChef will be missed, and many wondering why this was happening.
In an email from the co-owner of GotChef, Joe Rubin, he remarked:
Unfortunately the powers that be aren't allowing us to remain there anymore for their own internal reasons. We are grateful for all of the love and support we have gotten from our amazing customers and friends in Milford. Our phone number will remain the same, 203-490-2433 and we will be delivering out of the restaurant.
On Twitter and in emails, GotChef has remained cagey as to whom the "powers that be" represent, whether Metro-North or the City of Milford have asked them to leave.
Attempts to reach Metro-North and Milford officials were unsuccessful, but updates to this story will be made as that information comes to light.
As of Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m., GotChef's Twitter page still encourages people to "See us at the Milford Train Station." After today, that will no longer be a possibility.
In most government buildings where there are newspaper stand concessions that sell cigarettes, candy and magazines, there are laws that limit the concession being owned by handicapped veterans. In this partictlar case, the landlord is MTA who owns the land and controls its use.
But maybe them parking in the Milford Green would be a better option anyway. There seems to be enough parking spaces to make it happen. Email the mayor and let him know we have to find them a new home!
I also received an email from Metro North in which Manager Ted Bowen wrote: "vendor leases at rail stations in Connecticut fall under the jurisdiction of either the Connecticut Department of Transportation or the local municipality, and not Metro-North." Attempts have made to reach Milford Fine Arts Council Board of Directors President Dolores Hannon, but they've been unsuccessful thus far.
Why isn’t the Chamber of Commerce rallying support?
Calls to the MFAC confirmed that the Council itself cannot comment on this issue, and that the Board of Directors' co-presidents, Dolores Hannon and Sandy Morgan, were the best people to contact. An unsuccessful attempt was made to reach Hannon and Morgan is on vacation this week.
The local restaurants had nothing to do with our leaving that spot. There are plenty of great places to eat in Milford that we eat at often. Many of the local owners have become our friends (and many stopped by occasionally for a bite :) The Transit Authority, Town, and MTA have always been a pleasure to work with as well. Though we enjoyed being at the MFAC, their new board decided on a new direction to go with the facility, and unfortunately this business decision did not include us. It's business. Businesses make decisions every day. I hold no grudge. They need to do what is best for them, and we wish them the best of luck - Fortunately our business is on Wheels! I'm sure we'll figure something out :). Angry calls and emails to political figures and organizations are not necessary. In the mean time, gift certificates Previously purchased from us or restaurant.com will be redeemable at Biagios Osteria. We love you guys - This is a great town. We loved cooking for you and look forward to doing it again soon! Thank you so much, GotChef
Then again a position as powerful Board of Directors of the Fine Arts Council probably lends itself to plenty of time for micro-managing. If we could only get those trains to stop running next! After that, Poland and Austria then the world is ours!