Fallen trees keep PDT and Crif Dogs closed on St. Mark’s Place

PDT and Crif Dogs have been closed this week after the nor'easter that moved through the area Sept. 26-27 toppled trees over the businesses' backyard on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Jeff Bell, an owner of PDT and Crif Dogs, said in an Instagram post yesterday that one neighbor's tree fell into another neighbor's tree, leaving both resting against the building behind the businesses. 

"They're both now resting against the building behind me, and in a very precarious position that seems like they could fall," Bell said. "And if they do, they would fall in our backyard." 

The situation has kept both businesses closed since Sunday.

"I don't feel that it's safe for our team to be working in these conditions," Bell said. 

According to Bell, removing the trees requires a crane, and the businesses are waiting for the neighboring landlords responsible for the trees to have the work done. 

"We're at the mercy of our neighboring landlords to get this tree removed," he said. "The process is taking a while because they have to have a crane to extract the tree." 

Bell said he hopes the removal happens soon, though PDT and Crif Dogs will remain closed. 

In the meantime, he has launched a GoFundMe to help employees with wages lost during the closure. Bell said 100% of the money raised will go to the staff.

 

"This week has been uncertainty for them," he said. "I know how important it is to be able to show up to work and make money, especially at the end of the month." 

Bell, who said he spent 15 to 20 years of his life as a tipped employee, closed his message with an appeal on behalf of the staff. "This is not easy. This is not fun," he said. "I don't like to go hat in hand, but I will go hat in hand for the team."