Jordan’s Steakhouse in Ellicott City has closed, the victim of a dispute between the owner and his landlord.

The door to the Main Street restaurant was locked Monday and a sign on the door stated, “This premises has  been secured by the landlord. Any attempts to enter the building will be considered breaking and entering and will be in violation of the law.”

On Wednesday, that sign was gone and another sign read, “Closed for remodeling.”

Jordan Naftal, the owner of Jordan’s Steakhouse, said Wednesday that he had been locked out of his restaurant two days earlier because of a dispute with the landlord, Blues Building, Inc. The dispute, Naftal said, was over rent payments and Naftal’s unsuccessful year-long attempt to buy the building in which the steakhouse is located.

Naftal blamed the closure on “a year of frustration on my part and the landlord’s part. .... He locked me out, I have no access to my building.”
 
Naftal said he did not know whether he would be able to reopen in the Main Street location.

“The (Ellicott City) landlord feels like he’s never going to get his money and he feels like he needs to sell everything,” Naftal said. “I got no help from the bank, no help from the landlord.”
 
Naftal said he owed rent money to Blues Building Inc. and was hoping to pay back that money as part of a deal to buy the steakhouse building. However, both Howard Bank and First Mariner Bank turned him down for loans, and attempts to secure loan guarantees through the Small Business Administration also failed, he said.

A representative of the property’s landlord, Blues Building Inc., did not return a call seeking comment.
 
Naftal said he still plans to open a restaurant in November in the Maple Lawn development in Fulton, with partner Carlos Venegas, owner of Ranazul, an upscale wine and tapas bar in Maple Lawn. That restaurant will be opening up as Carlos and Jordan’s Steakhouse, Naftal said.

“On the happy side we’re opening in Maple Lawn,” Naftal said.
 
Two weeks ago, in an interview with the Howard County Times, Naftal denied rumors that the Jordan’s on Main Street would be closing. “There will be no changes to the Ellicott City location,” he said.

 Naftal has other financial worries as well. On Aug. 17, the Howard County government obtained a judgment in a contract dispute against Jordan’s for about $2,500, according to court records.

It was the third time in a year Naftal’s company has lost a judgment in court. Twice previously, the state of Maryland has had to file suit against Jordan’s Steakhouse’s parent company, Historic Hospitality, over thousands in unpaid taxes, court records show.

In March 2009, the steakhouse was ordered to pay $41,000 in unpaid taxes to the state and in September 2008, the business was ordered to pay about $17,000 in unpaid taxes.
 
Naftal said he has worked out a payment plan with the state on the unpaid taxes.

He said he did not know what the contract $2,500 dispute with the county was about, but he had been talking with county officials about the cost of police responses to alarms at his building.

This story has been updated.

---

user comments (20)

user says...

on the face of it a lot of folks thought jordan's was pretty good place to grab a steak. i guess the volume wasn't there. but we once a year would try again to eat at jordans and hope we wouldn't be disappointed...again. this last time, the prices were extraordinary. a la carte 69 or 79 for my steak. it was very poor quality, and served uncooked, literally. i have no idea how they thought to cook it but whoever was the chef had no idea what to do and it was impossible -- i mean cold cold cold not lukewarm but cold and blue purple and so were the sides. in fact, the house specialty fries were precooked and reheated but they were not even room temperature!!!--- the whole meal was horrible and so was the wait staff. we dropped more than several hundred dollars that night. apparently a lot of people knew what we didn't. the steak house was empty. i was unsuccessful in contacting the naftals. we will not go to their new location. i don't care how bad business deteriorates, a restauranteur shouldn't keep their costs down by having incompetent staff in and out of the kitchen and raise prices beyond a competitive level. that's how it was at jordan's.

Posted 10:52 PM, 08.18.09 | Permalink

user sylviestress says...

The above user said: "a la carte 69 or 79 for my steak.... it i have no idea how they thought to cook it but whoever was the chef had no idea what to do and it was impossible -- i mean cold cold cold." That's because it was not a la carte. It was a la mode.

Posted 11:26 PM, 08.18.09 | Permalink

user citizentaxpayerjane says...

The boom years created a culture of overindulgence and gluttony, supported by just plain stupid money decisions. Just put a high price tag on anything so that people will buy and brag later about what they spent - it was everywhere. $100 steaks, $5,000 kid's scooters, $40k horses for an 8 year old, McMansions with mismatched owner-installed decks and other accoutraments. Not well planned or though out, just spent, no regard for the inevitable reckoning day of the financial and petrol markets. Guess Jordan hasn't kept up with the times. People are seeing the light where living within their means is concerned. Houses that are less than $300k are the ones that are selling, kids are doing without extreme luxuries, people are looking for more security.

Posted 7:01 AM, 08.19.09 | Permalink

user whatever says...

Well said CitazentaxpayerJane!

Posted 11:02 PM, 08.19.09 | Permalink

user brdoon says...

Well said User Whatever to well say CitizenTaxpayer who rally got the core of the issue. A good steak at a reasonable price can be had at Outback...or better yet...your own kitchen!

Posted 8:50 AM, 08.20.09 | Permalink

user williamsmith says...

First time I've every heard of someone applying for a loan and not paying the rent for a year--no one loans money to someone who can't even make rent and no landlord sells to someone who is stiffing them month after month. Mr. Naftel smells funny. I mean would you loan money to this man?? I'm thinking the loan officer walked into an empty $ 100 a plate restaurant and yanked the loan asap. And if you consider very inexperienced and terrible service, with chefs who can't cook a $ 5 steak (oops $ 35 there) and an haughty and self-important owner, and outrageous and unwarranted prices, his eviction is no surprise. One word to his new partner---watch your back---and your cash register!

Posted 8:36 AM, 08.21.09 | Permalink

user ecworker says...

I responded to another article on here and stated that not only did this guy not pay his rent, his employees checks were bouncing. So who in their right mind would let him open another restaurant? I am sure that is why people say service was not up to par and the food was not worth the money, I wouldn't work for free. His good staff was more than likely replaced with area kids that work for cheap wages. I work at another restaurant in the area and I tell you, we got some really great cooks from Jordan's who just wanted to get paid.

Posted 12:40 PM, 08.21.09 | Permalink

user says...

Jordan's was a favorite restaurant for our family and friends. We will miss the excellent service that we received from long time loyal employees like Michael, Gary, and Dale as recent as two weeks ago. The only young employees were busing tables. The service , exquisite jazz music, and ambiance were rated as the best in Howard County for years. Most can say that they will remember wonderful meals and celebrations while dining at Jordan's. Hard times have fallen on all of us all during this tough economic time. Keep this in mind if you feel the need to pontificate and trash these good people. I'm sure most of us have been through difficult life experiences and would appreciate privacy and compassion if the tables were turned. If the business wasn't so good for the past 7 years there would be no press and nothing for the ignorant to surmise. The Naftal's will come out of this with support and the help of good friends and the Howard County community. Debts will be paid. This can happen to any of us in the period of one year. Don't be so cruel to this family as they are working to create a new business that will succeed in Fulton. We know the Naftal's to be one of the most decent, hard working, and warm families that live in the county. When Carlos and Jordan's opens this fall, visit the new restaurant, experience the changes, get to know the owners, and keep an open mind. Do you really find pleasure in tearing down others when they need us the most?

Posted 6:39 PM, 08.22.09 | Permalink

user jazzguitarguru says...

Hey, it is easy to be a monday morning quarterback isn't it. Walk a mile in this mans shoes and then make a comment. I find that kicking a man when he is down is the worse kind of cowardace and you should check yourselves. This couple who gave their all to this restaurant and to their employees are two of the most generous people I know. You who are trying to tear them down at this time should step back and take a look at yourselves and recognize that it is your own flaws that are driving you to make these negative comments. In other words, mind your business and let the Naftals mind theirs. So crawl back in your little judgemental hole and see if perhaps you can occupy yourself with pursuits that may have a positive result

Posted 6:40 PM, 08.22.09 | Permalink

user restaurantowner007 says...

no one is trying to tear them down, they've accomplished that with their own actions. apparently, giving your all to your employees does not include paying them for the work they do for you. THAT is the worst kind of cowardice. letting other people bust their ass for you and not paying them is reprehensible. doing the same thing to your vendors and your landlord is inexcusable. those of you who would defend the naftals should let all the restaurant owners in your area know that you are available to work for free - you can also let your current employer know you don't mind if they don't pay you while they pay themselves. it's a sad day when this kind of greedy, irresponsible behavior is defended as good people merely falling on hard times. get your facts straight and grow up.

Posted 8:30 AM, 08.24.09 | Permalink

user says...

The kitchen staff at Jordon's was NOT just a bunch of kids looking to make extra money. Most were college students attending culinary schools at various universities around the country. Several of the staff had already distinquished themselves as promising new talent, and needed the income from Jordon's to continue their education or support their families. Over the past several months, he (Jordon) convinced his staff that this cash flow problem was short term, and just a result of the economic downturn. He assured his people that he would make payroll. Now, after most of the staff has left, he files bankruptcy... and at the same time, finds the funds to open a new restaurant. What about the thousands of dollars that he owes his staff? They have to return to school without money for books, tuition, or other expenses. What of the staff that have families to support? Are we excited about his "New" place? No. Will we flock there on opening night, support his new venture, and help him recover "his" finances? No. Once he pays the staff that supported him during the past several months, then we will give his new place a look. Until then, the issue is a matter of principle. As long as we support buisnesses that take advantage of young talent, these types of scams will continue.

Posted 11:28 AM, 08.24.09 | Permalink

user workin4freenot says...

Seriously? Now, we even have to defend ourselves as employees at Jordans? We are not just cooks! Incompetent staff? We are the victims here. We will be moving on and hope that someday we will get paid for all hours that we've worked so hard for.

Posted 6:00 PM, 08.24.09 | Permalink

user pepper says...

i'm suprised. i only went to jordans once...it was fine. definately a nice touch to downtown ellicott city who really needs that type of biz. i work with small biz owners every day. they need all the help they can get. i think landlords have gotten a little spoiled with the rent rates and (some) banks are equally hard to work with (not howard tho). feel bad for the owners (they risk everything) and hope they find the right spot...just wish it was downtown ec.

Posted 6:55 AM, 08.25.09 | Permalink

user restaurantowner007 says...

Correction - these owners did not risk everything, they risked their employees wages and the rent due to their landlord. They managed to keep enough in reserve to start another venture when they should have been using that $$ to pay off their debts. Despicable.

Posted 8:12 AM, 08.25.09 | Permalink

user pepper says...

i really dont know all the facts and circumstances. the biz owners i work with agonize over a decision to shut down a business...its a personal failure and they do have a lot at risk. times change...restaurants all over are suffering and more to follow. downtown ec still needs businesses like this. tough for all...the staff too for sure.

Posted 7:18 AM, 08.26.09 | Permalink

user mdl7 says...

I'm not into Jordan's - been there years ago when it first opened - not really impressed. I prefer TBones or BareBones. And nothing beats my steaks done on the grill at home. But, as far as Mr Naftal being a small business owner that we 'must' empathize with. No thank you. I am very close to a small business owner and she would not lower her ethics and self respect by screwing her employees out of their compensation. It's her business, and she would make the sacrifices in order to keep it going. Do those employees have a stake in the new location? Will they profit from it, in the future? No, they were in it for their wages - Mr Naftal was in it for himself. Which is pretty evident from his low moral perspective - and total disregard for his employees' welfare. He has his bills and debts - why did'nt he think that maybe his employees wouldn't have their own bills and debts.

Posted 8:54 AM, 08.26.09 | Permalink

user zoom says...

I feel sorry for the employees that propped up this venture...

Posted 5:11 PM, 08.26.09 | Permalink

user ecworker says...

Yes the emplyees suffered more than the Naftals, I am sure he made his money. Didn't intend to offend any Jordan's employees.

Posted 12:02 PM, 08.28.09 | Permalink

user chousequeen says...

Being a resident of historic Ellicott City, we frequently enjoyed delicious meals, served by gracious waitstaff and loved that we could walk to a 5-star restaurant and home again after a few beverages. Having owned our business for 30 years, and recently doing our best to meet payroll each month, I know what it feels like to face tough times and keep trying hard to keep the doors open. Bankruptcy has a purpose and I hope that the Naftal family will use it and the landlord will see it in his heart to work with a struggling business. Our community needs to prop up businesses like these. We need the tourist and tax revenue here in Howard County as well as employers. I hate to see thriving businesses boarded up. It is creepy and bad for the county.

Posted 2:39 PM, 08.29.09 | Permalink

user brainumbc says...

I figured I'd chime in. I live in Silver Spring and went to Jordan's on Main St. twice. I don't know what the deal was with business issue but I loved the place. Was it pricey? Hell yes. It's an upscale place with excellent food, great atmosphere and delicious, unique food. I hate salads, but I had their grilled salad and almost melted. The prices were worth it. In my opinion.. well.. Imagine Ruth Chris Steakhouse. Then imagine a nicer, warmer atmosphere, live jazz music, friendlier staff, BETTER food BY FAR, and prices that were *slightly* cheaper. I had the Aji Tuna both times and it was better than I had at Ruth Chris and a few bucks cheaper. Sure my wallet was hurting after, but don't go if you're not the kind of person that likes to splurge on a really, really, really nice date once in a Blue Moon. I haven't been to the new location yet, but I hope they haven't changed their menu much.

Posted 4:37 PM, 02.01.10 | Permalink