NYC’s Milling Room abruptly shuts after owner’s bizarre, ‘life-threatening’ accident — and may owe more than $1M in rent
The Milling Room, a long-standing Upper West Side restaurant, has abruptly closed after owner Luis Gonzalez suffered a life-threatening injury during a temazcal ceremony in Mexico, leaving the business potentially owing over $1 million in back rent. Gonzalez, who has undergone 14 surgeries and suffered extensive burns, said he was unable to manage the restaurant during his recovery. The 7,000-square-foot space at 445 Columbus Ave. is now up for lease at $60,000 per month, with multiple restaurateurs, including the team behind Boucherie, in talks to take over. The closure follows financial struggles exacerbated by rising food costs post-pandemic.
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Jennifer Gould Business exclusive side dish NYC’s Milling Room abruptly shuts after owner’s bizarre, ‘life-threatening’ accident — and may owe more than $1M in rent By Jennifer Gould Published April 28, 2026, 6:11 p.m. ET A popular Upper West Side restaurant has abruptly shuttered after the owner suffered a bizarre, “life-threatening” accident in Mexico — and may be on the hook for more than $1 million in back rent, Side Dish has learned. The Milling Room, known for its airy dining room and vaulted glass ceiling — closed unexpectedly in December after more than 12 years with as much as $1.2 million owed to its landlord, according to a source close to the situation. When reached in Mexico, owner Luis Gonzalez declined to comment on how much he owed.
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