'I haven't been able to pay bills': NYC restaurant accused of not paying workers

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, Brooklyn (PIX11) -- Popular restaurant Woodland in Downtown Brooklyn is under fire from its employees, who claim they have not been paid by the establishment in months.

What was once a vibrant restaurant buzzing with customers now stands eerily silent on Fulton Street with chairs stacked, one on top of the other, and lights out.

A group of Woodland employees spoke exclusively to PIX 11, claiming they've dealt with problem after problem working at the restaurant, which started at the beginning of the year when they weren't receiving their paychecks on time.

"Even if you do get a new check you have to wait two weeks for it, then it's no guarantee," said Woodland Floor Manager Malique Sanchez. "I had many situations. I got a new check. It returns the next week."

Frustrated staff said the situation escalated in May when their paychecks bounced, and they stopped receiving payment altogether. The employees said they're owed several thousand dollars from the restaurant's owners.

"I've been going through a lot with my home," Woodland Server Jalie Rich said. "I haven't been able to pay a lot of bills. My credit score went down because obviously I'm not able to pay those bills and yeah, it's just been, it's been tough."

The restaurant permanently closed abruptly two weeks ago without any notice from the owners, according to staff.

"It was literally no schedule for the week," said Bartender Katherin Sanchez. "It was just like that. It just ended."

A message announcing Woodland's closure is now on the restaurant's website, but staff said this communication came weeks too late.

"It's always next week," Rich said. "Hey, we're going to do this next week. We're going to do this the next day, and even today they said they were going to pay us, and the owner ghosted us once again."

Woodland reopened at the end of 2023 after its original location on Flatbush Avenue lost its liquor license for a slew of violations and shut down in 2020. PIX11 News contacted the restaurant inquiring about employees' paychecks and received an email saying, "Someone will reach out Tuesday with a response."

The restaurant, once a popular dining destination, now faces a tarnished reputation and potential legal repercussions. Several employees are now looking to take legal action against the restaurant's owners and are planning to reach out to the New York State Department of Labor.