Seamark at Encore Boston to close, weeks after staff unionizes

Seamark Seafood and Cocktailsthe upscale seafood restaurant inside the Encore Boston Harbor Casino & Hotel, is closing its doors, laying off 56 workers who voted to unionize less than a month ago.

The Carver Road Hospitality restaurant will close for good on March 29, nearly two years after it opened. that it Reason for closureAccording to a report from Boston GlobeThis is due to “economic challenges.”

“While the team remained optimistic that improving market conditions in 2025 and into 2026 would allow the company to turn the corner, those expectations were ultimately not met,” globe He said. “As the first quarter of 2026 comes to a close, ownership has determined that continued operations are no longer economically sustainable.”

but Unite here Local 26a labor union for hospitality workers that Seamark workers voted to join, said in a press release that the decision to close the restaurant was retaliation against newly unionized employees. Less than a month ago, they voted 38 to 7 in favor of joining UNITE HERE, followed by certification of the results earlier this month. The workers had not yet begun bargaining for their first contract.

“Less than a month ago, I was with my co-workers listening to them sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me as we celebrated our vote to unionize. I could see a better future for my co-workers, my family, and my father, for whom I am the primary caregiver,” Kim Vasquez, a server at Seamark, said in a statement. “I cannot believe Carver Road and Seamark did not allow us to come to the table and partner in ways to make this restaurant the best it can be for all of us. I’m also sad because in two weeks, I have no idea how I’m going to pay for myself or my parents, and it doesn’t seem fair. “

The labor union’s press release also alleged that Seamark engaged in an aggressive union-busting campaign through a website, seamarkelectioninfo.com.

The website featured a note from Seamark suggesting employees “look at both sides” and posted benefits information, UNITE HERE, and other frequently asked questions.

In the press release, the union noted that they did not know “whether Encore management was aware of and/or approved of Seamark’s closure.”

The press release continued: “But if they are not aware of what is going on under their roof, should they be charged with oversight of the gambling, liquor and safety of the Everett community?”

Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, told globe They hope Encore will take over the shuttered Seamark and continue to employ its workers. UNITE HERE already represents About 1,200 hospitality workers at Encore, while another 200 employees are part of Teamsters Local 25, according to a globe A story from 2023.

Boston.com reached out to both Carver Hospitality and Encore for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Caitlin Umholtz

Food and restaurant reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Caitlin is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.