“I Messed Up”: Owner Apologizes as Capital Region Swifty’s Reopen

After a rough couple of weeks, many in the Capital Region were happy to see Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub officially back open for business over the weekend.  Owner Dave Swift took to social media on Sunday to clarify some points and express gratitude to the community that has supported him for many years.

Two Swifty's Re-Opened on Sunday

Their Colonie location on Everett Road and Delmar locations reopened Sunday with a limited menu after being shut down earlier this month following a New York State tax seizure tied to $2.2 million in back taxes. According to the state, seizures are typically a last resort after a long period of non-compliance.

On Facebook, owner Dave Swift shared a heartfelt message to the community, calling the closure “painful on every level” and taking full responsibility.

"I Messed Up"

“I messed up; I wasn’t trying to get away with anything, things got away from me,” Swift wrote, adding that the last two weeks were the worst of his life.

Swift also made it clear that his biggest regret was the impact on his staff. Swift said he launched a GoFundMe to support affected employees, which has raised more than $3,600, and Swift says he has personally reached out to every staff member.

Swifty's Has Deep Roots

“They are second to none and I care about them more than myself,” he said.

In his post, Swift reflected on the deep roots Swifty’s has established since opening in Delmar in 2009, expanding to Colonie six years later and eventually to Utica to serve the theater crowd and the Central New York community.

While it’s still unclear if the Utica location will reopen, Swift says the “Swifty’s ship has been righted,” and he’s committed to rebuilding it back, better and stronger.

You’ll also be seeing more of him in person.

“You will see me more and more as I swing through the dining rooms to say hi, check on your table, and most importantly, say thank you,” Swift wrote.

For now, Swifty’s Colonie and Delmar are back, which is excellent news for the staff, community, and owner Dave Swift, who, to his credit, stepped up to make things right.