Its a win-win for casino, displaced Palm workers in Philadelphia

A  Philadelphia business is recruiting some prime candidates who are going to be out of work for a year. 

Hearing that the Palm Restaurant is closing at the end of the month for a year of renovation triggered an “aha!” moment for SugarHouse Casino general manager Wendy Hamilton.

“I actually heard almost immediately from some of the folks I know best from there looking for work,” she said. “It hit me … this is such a terrific opportunity because SugarHouse is on the verge of opening seven new food and beverage outlets including a white tablecloth steakhouse, and it’s really hard to find really good help.”

SugarHouse worked with the Palm to offer the 50 soon-to-be displaced workers full-time jobs at the new restaurant, Hamilton said.

Whether they stay past the year is up to them.

“Some of those people will choose to go back [to the Palm] because they have a lot of time with that company,” she said. “But I’m also certain some will choose to stay with us.”

Hamilton’s goal is to use the experienced help to open the restaurants and perhaps train some replacements.

The casino is adding 500 new workers for its expansion.