Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Pure Food And Wine Workers Sue For Back Wages As Owner Remains AWOL
By
Nathan Tempey
Published Aug 16, 2015
Modified Aug 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Reclaim Pure Food and Wine/Facebook
By
Nathan Tempey
Published Aug 16, 2015
Modified Aug 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Former workers at Gramercy Park's shuttered raw vegan restaurant Pure Food and Wine and its affiliated juice bar and mail-order snack operation One Lucky Duck have filed a federal class action lawsuit against the companies and owner Sarma Melngailis, who vanished in early July after three weeks of payroll problems.
The newly unionized workers walked out the first week of July following what they say were first late, then bounced checks, capped off by a payday with no checks at all. The lawsuit demands back wages for the about 60 workers, along with 60 days' pay and $500 per day in penalties for Melngailis's alleged failure to warn of impending mass layoffs, as required by law.
Investors and vendors are also calling. Workers have said that in the final weeks the restaurant was out of ingredients for some of its signature dishes due to unpaid vendor bills, and a state lawsuit filed last month by investor Asparagus Trading Corporation claims the company fronted Melngailis $31,000 for July rent with the understanding she would hand over the business. She didn't, and the company claims she siphoned off money meant to stabilize the restaurant. A judge in that case has ordered Melngailis's bookkeepers to open up their records for inspection. Because Melngailis has not been reachable since July, the ruling allows for her to be served to her by email and snail mail. Melngailis is also facing eviction by her landlord NYC Suite Home, according to court records.
The workers' wage-theft lawsuit is one piece of their larger campaign to recoup the money they say they're owed, have Melngailis fined for federal labor violations, and potentially have her jailed. They are also speaking with investors and hope to reopen Pure Food and Wine under new ownership with stronger employee protections.
Melngailis has not responded to repeated requests for comment by email, Twitter, Facebook, and phone. The voicemail for a phone number workers had used to reach her is now full.
Tagged
disappearance
gramercy park
pure food and wine
raw vegan
sarma melngailis
union
wage theft
Nathan Tempey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .