BALLER MAIL - DETAILS BEHIND THE CLOSING OF LAVAR ARRINGTON'S "THE SIDELINE"


I received this e-mail from a former employee
They stood by him at the Woodmore Country Club as he unveiled the plans for his new 7,500 square foot restaurant. They listened as he talked about realizing his dream. It couldn't be done without them, he said. He talked about his years on the field and how he had come to learn the team was the most important thing one could have. They were his team now. They were in it together, not as an owner and his employees, but as peers working together to accomplish the same goal. They watched as tears filled his eyes; he choked up and had to take a moment to regain his composure. "Each and every one of you is important to me" he told them. "This is a family affair and you are all now a part of my family."

Weeks later they stood by him in the still-under-construction site of the new restaurant. Together they envisioned what it would look when it was complete--plush burgundy and gold furnishings, 34 flat screen tv's, a gleaming granite bar. They could feel the energy that was sure to be present on Game Day Sundays. He explained his reason for bringing them there. "I wanted you to see it like this because we will never be at this point again."

Just days before Superbowl 2008, The Sideline opened to the public. It had already been a long road up to that point but together Lavar Arrington and his new team had done it. Then last week, a mere two days before Christmas, he fired them all.

The Sideline had a rocky run. A lack of training and proper supplies in the beginning made it difficult for the staff to do their jobs properly. Management and policies changed frequently. Financial pressures resulted in a change of the tip policy. Employees would no longer be able to get tips paid by credit card at the end of thier shift as is customary in the restaurant industry. The company would now hold these tips and use the money to pay bills and buy inventory. The employees would have this money returned to them on their paychecks. Some staff members left, others stayed. They persisted and gradually things improved.

Then, in one tragic moment, everything changed. In the early morning hours of March 1, 2009 seven people were shot, one fatally, outside the restaurant. The public perception of The Sideline had changed. People now associated it with violence and danger. Business declined dramatically, as did the employee's wages. Schedules were cut and tips were nearly non-existent. Community meetings and court hearings were held to determine if The Sideline should be allowed to remain in business. Three months later, in June, The Sideline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Still, they stood by the former Washington Redskin.

Seeming to defy all odds, the business bounced back. The staffs' loyalty had seemingly paid off. Business grew rapidly. Management became more and more confident in the long term stability of The Sideline. "We're on the right track" and "things are looking really good" they told the staff. Still, they weren't out of the woods. Often the company couldn't afford to pay the employees. Paychecks were held--sometimes for a few days, sometimes for a few weeks. Frequently the employees would finally receive their overdue checks only to have them bounce. For many of the employees who worked for tips the checks weren't only about the hourly wage. After all, a restaurant is only required to pay tipped employees half of minimum wage. It was about reclaiming the tips they had to "loan" the company. For the rest of the staff the hourly wage was all they had. Even still, they stayed.

The repercussions of inconsistent paychecks went far beyond just having a slim bank account. At least one employee, whose checks were garnished for child support, faced driver's license suspension and possible arrest when the garnished portions of his checks bounced and child support was not received. Several employees had difficulties paying their mortgages and rents on time. A handful of them were facing eviction. Everyone went into the holiday season feeling strapped for cash. Yet the holiday schedule was in place, New Year's party planned, and no one had any reason to think they wouldn't eventually get their money.

On December 23, at 2am, the employees received the following email:
I am writing to inform you that The Sideline is no longer in business. I do not have any more information to give to you at this time. As soon as more information is made available, someone will be in contact with you. If you call my cell phone I will not have any additional information to give you.

It was from Carl Levin, the General Manager. Some employees hadn't even arrived home from the previous shift when they received the bad news. By noon The Sideline had been cleared out and the employees weren't allowed to set foot on the property. Throughout the day employees who hadn't received the email arrived on time for their shifts only to find an empty shell of the once bustling restaurant. Customers who made deposits for VIP sections and the New Year's party had lost their money.

No one has been able to give the employees details on when they will be paid in full. Arrington has been unreachable and Levin has stated that since he is no longer employeed by the restaurant, he has no control over when, or if, the checks will be distributed.

Where does this leave the roughly fifty former employees? The ones who always stood by Arrington through it all? They are without a full month's pay. For many that includes the tips they should have been able to take same-day in the first place. The payroll has already been processed, meaning they will pay taxes on income they never received. The employees have had little luck contacting the former management and will likely have difficulties filing for unemployment. Banding together to bring a lawsuit is one option. However, Arrington is already facing suits from the Capital Centre Management Group, U.S. Food Services, Reliable-Churchill, and the State of Maryland. It will clearly be a lengthy process with no guarantees of success. Unless Arrington has a change of heart, it is unlikely they will ever receive their due pay.

A few things are likely: Arrington's life will carry on largely unaffected, his home won't face foreclosure, his children will continue to have the best of everything, and he will continue to drive his Maserati to his daily radio show on 106.7 The Fan. And those who stood by him through it all have learned an important life lesson: Being loyal doesn't always pay.

Views: 125

Tags: arrington, lavar, sideline

Comment by University of Smitty on December 28, 2009 at 10:40am
Most companies that are going out of business do not notify the employees, especially in restraurants. Management does not want you to walk out before the doors officially close. It's wrong, but it happens all the time.

PS. When your pay check starts bouncing, you've been notified.
Comment by mochagirl on December 28, 2009 at 11:09am
This is so sad. I agree that when the paychecks start bouncing so should you, what other reason is there to go to work? We are in a bad economy tho, so maybe they couldn't find other jobs.
Also, that whole area got real shady real quick, I only went to the Blvd a handful of times....and they did start running it like a club.
Comment by Baller Alert on December 28, 2009 at 11:35am
I have a funny story about Sideline. Me and a friend had a business meeting there and our food was suppose to be taking care of. So Lavar says to my friend..isn't this the best food you have ever tasted and she was like NO..why he made her pay for her food. He was salty..lol
Comment by Siren on December 28, 2009 at 11:45am
This is a mess... I feel bad for those people that were stiffed right before the holidays! @ Boss SMH aat him making her pay when she didn't like the food!
Comment by mochagirl on December 28, 2009 at 11:47am
Lmao @ him making her pay! I forgot to add that I know people who were getting hookups there i.e free food from the staff.
Comment by Baller Alert on December 28, 2009 at 11:55am
Yes..at first she was was like...the best really?..she couldn't believe he asked her that. LOL
Comment by Bish on December 28, 2009 at 12:38pm
Lavar is wrong for this in so many ways. He could have paid them out of his own pocket, or gave them something on Christmas.
Comment by maxwells_musze on December 28, 2009 at 1:05pm
dayum! i had no idea it hadn't been opened that long. those poor employees.
Comment by OLD $PICE PINE NEEDLE on December 29, 2009 at 2:06pm
Employees would no longer be able to get tips paid by credit card at the end of thier shift as is customary in the restaurant industry. This would be my cue to leave.

@ Mocha, the staff was giving away free food??? well there went the profits/wages. LOL

Comment

You need to be a member of Baller Alert.com to add comments!

Join Baller Alert.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Connect



BallerBoards

Bay Area Ballers?

Started by Jessa Maxwell in Talk Ish. Last reply by Brown beauty 4 minutes ago. 2 Replies

I'm looking to meet ballers in the SF Bay Area, and lezbehonest I'm super down to be a beard too if that's what the man needs! Any suggestions on places to go, ladies?Continue

Tags: Bay, Area, NorCal, Oakland, Francisco

AMBER ROSE- WHO GON' CHECK ME BOO?!?!?!?

Started by Mello826BA aka BAGroupie in Talk Ish. Last reply by LawGurl-Dax 1 hour ago. 13 Replies

Continue

Tags: paris, west, kanye, rose, amber

A great weave company

Started by Skylas the limit in Talk Ish. Last reply by SoLuscious 1 hour ago. 3 Replies

Hello ladies and a few fellas, I'm looking for a weave company to order from to get a wig made I have medical condition that makes my hair fall out so it has to feel like my hair since it will be…Continue

Tags: woman, fellas, hairdressers, men, ladies

Holly Madison gives birth to baby girl on her reality show

Started by SoLuscious in Talk Ish. Last reply by Skylas the limit 3 hours ago. 6 Replies

Now i know Holly isnt a ballerific chick, bc seeing her on that show w/hef...she couldve def used some advice from ba. anywho....im using her to make a point. wtf is it with these people on reality…Continue

Tags: reality, tv, labor, childbirth, Madison

GLAM TV

Latest Activity

Brown beauty replied to Jessa Maxwell's discussion Bay Area Ballers?
"I know a lot of the 49ers hang out at Santana Row and during football season they are ALWAYS at…"
4 minutes ago
OLD $PICE PINE NEEDLE commented on Eleven8's blog post Ochocinco Arrested In Florida For Violating Probation
"I blame y'all, you told the judge where to find him in that last post. lol tombout he on…"
29 minutes ago
BabyBallerCheeks commented on Eleven8's blog post Reggie Bush & Fiance Name Newborn Daughter Briseis
"How do you pronounce that anyway? "Bree-seas"? "Brice-is"?…"
1 hour ago
LawGurl-Dax replied to Mello826BA aka BAGroupie's discussion AMBER ROSE- WHO GON' CHECK ME BOO?!?!?!?
"I completely agree with EVERYTHING you said!!! "
1 hour ago
BabyBallerCheeks commented on Eleven8's blog post Reggie Bush & Fiance Name Newborn Daughter Briseis
"Briseis Bush sounds like a damn plant."
1 hour ago
SoLuscious replied to Skylas the limit's discussion A great weave company
"none, i always purchase my hair in a store BUT lately ive been wanting to try something…"
1 hour ago
BabyBallerCheeks replied to Mello826BA aka BAGroupie's discussion AMBER ROSE- WHO GON' CHECK ME BOO?!?!?!?
1 hour ago
Life's Journey commented on Eleven8's blog post Reggie Bush & Fiance Name Newborn Daughter Briseis
"@Heavan Awww cmon... The last name is Bush... Show some mercy..."
2 hours ago
Eleven8's event was featured
2 hours ago
Eleven8 posted an event
2 hours ago
Life's Journey commented on Peachkyss's blog post Ballerific Fashion: Zoe Saldana Slays The Stage In Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2013 Red Printed Long Sleeve Dress On Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
"Sexy but not revealing... I love this woman... Just like the phrase "A mans man"...…"
2 hours ago
Kania commented on Eleven8's event ATL - Trey Songz, Jermaine Dupri & Draya Host All White Affair @ Prive 5/20 Prive
"Yes, that's the same location."
2 hours ago

© 2013   Created by Baller Alert.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

Offline

Live Video