Golfers Take Over New York's Russian Tea RoomTue November 19, 2002 01:26 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's tee-off time in the Russian Tea Room. The U.S. Golf Association paid $16 million for the famous restaurant, which closed in July, and plans to install a museum in what was one of Manhattan's most opulent indoor spaces, an association official said on Tuesday. "We wanted to boost the visibility for the sport and for the (association)," said David Fay, executive director for golf's governing body in the United States. "We wanted to have a presence back in Manhattan and we think the location is perfect for us." Founded in 1926 by former members of Russia's Imperial Ballet, the Russian Tea Room served as a gathering place for New York's cultural, literary and social set and was known for its flamboyant interior, replete with Tiffany glass ceiling, ornately framed paintings and giant floral arrangements. The restaurant closed in the late 1990s for an extensive $20 million renovation and reopened in 1999. But business declined, operating costs remained high and the owners struggled to turn a profit. In July, the 27,000-square-foot landmark closed its doors. The golf association, which was founded in 1894 in New York and moved to suburban Far Hills, New Jersey, in 1972, said the new museum would likely open in two years. In a sign that elegant evenings at the Russian Tea Room may not be gone forever, Fay said the association plans to rent out part of the golf museum for functions. |
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