I was contacted by a man who stopped into Rare Restaurant and Lounge Tuesday and found owner Bill McCrorey and crew closing down. The opulent, two-story restaurant has been in financial trouble since they opened, and a former employee has filed a lawsuit to recover unpaid compensation and health care insurance. The source says they were moving out “TVs, furniture, flowers, and anything else they could carry.” McCrorey was paying some of the staff with cash. “Bill told me they lost their liquor license,” the source says. “From my understanding some investors are taking it over (Keith Black), the guy that used to own Club Blue.” McCrorey promised he would pay anyone he owes money to as soon as the sale of Rare is completed.
McCrorey has operated many restaurants in Dallas including Republic, Las Colinas Prime, and Blackfinn American Saloon. He recently put his 11,452-square foot home on Hathaway in Old Preston Hollow on the market for $5.5 million.