NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Chappy's on Church was once one of Nashville's premiere places to eat but on Friday demolition of the once popular New Orleans style restaurant began.
"We knew Chappy was intense and we thought he was good to his people to an extent," says former employee, Nathan Lewis.
Before moving to LA, Nathan Lewis worked for owner John Chapman. Chapman's home was destroyed by hurricane Katrina, so he came to Nashville, setting up shop and bringing southern style creole cuisine to Music City. But behind the scenes employees says John Chapman was far from pleasant to work for.
"He hated Nashville, he always grumbled about Nashville and the people and the cheap people and was always wishing to be back home," Nathan said.
On June 18, 2013, Chappy closed the restaurant with no warning. Five years later dozens of workers are still owed thousands of dollars but Chappy has simply left town.
And with the building now coming down, it's more than certain that's money those employees will never see.
