By Carol Tannenhauser
The community board committee charged with pre-approving state liquor-license applications by restaurants and bars opening on the UWS served up a bit of heartbreak Wednesday night.
The would-be owner of Da Luce, Jenny Orozco, broke into tears upon learning that the co-op/ condo at 464 Columbus Avenue, between 82nd and 83rd, where her new “family-concept” Italian restaurant was supposed to open in June, is embroiled in legal, financial and board problems, including a $100,000 debt and a lien on the building.
The committee had just approved Da Luce’s application when Joel Cracraft, a member and past president of the “cond-op board” of 464 Columbus, came forward and made the startling revelations, asking that “this application be put on hold,” prompting the committee to change its decision to “denied without prejudice.”
“Oh my God,” a stunned Orozco said. “This is my dream, to have my own place where everyone is welcome. We’re hoping to attract young moms and dads with their kids. Bring the strollers! The food will be delicious. The chef has cooked for Cipriani and other great concerns.”
“You need to speak to your attorney…or a new one,” said Committee Co-Chair Michele Parker. “Somebody’s not doing their job. You’re not being protected. There are a lot of other places that would welcome your business.”
WOW! Someone dropped the ball with regards to due diligence or there must be a huge error/misunderstanding. Hopefully the latter.
Hang in there Jenny. Don’t stop dreaming!!
Re: “We’re hoping to attract young moms and dads with their kids. Bring the strollers! ”
THANKS to that CB7 committee for protecting us ALL from a place that would’ve been over-run with noisy out-of-control brats and their self-important entitled parents!
There’s a great spot–empty–Columbus and 93rd, the north east corner. Across from 3 restaurants–American, Mexican, Breakfast
Not anymore (Re: w 93rd). Columbus Prep (aka blood suckers of the neighborhood) took the space and will be using it as offices. Awful for the hood and the block. Doesn’t contribute whatsoever to the neighborhood economically, from a services prospective or from a quality of like. Open weekdays during school hour. Grate down the rest of the time
Sorry to hear about 93rd Street. I live across the street in the Party City building. Another store that we “really needed”. There had been a hardware store in the spot you mentioned,had been there many years. Affordable, not like Ace.
Now, after being empty for years we get
Columbia. They’re gobbling up the west side.
Is Da Luce in the same building where the new hibachi restaurant Flame was supposed to open ( the old Ditch Plains site) at the beginning of April?
There’s an empty space on the northeast corner of Columbus and 86th. Used to be a diner, but is now empty. It looks awful at the moment, but would be great to have something nice there . . . .
There are also the two stores on Amsterdam and 85th (?) just emptied by Michael’s Furniture and Cardeology, which I think are also next door to the empty yogurt shop. But I’m guessing that landlord is clearing out for a big box store.
Across from that corner, there’s the place that was a computer service store that is now empty.
So many empty storefronts; I hope she will move into one of those!
The place on the NE corner of 86th/Columbus is owned by the same guys (brothers) who owns the building. They ran the diner. They have no intention of renting the space out from everything I have heard and have been in a disagreement for years over reopening the restaurant. The other store fronts in that whole building are eyesores and not kept up at all.
It’s a prime corner but it sounds like it is going to sit as an empty eye-sore for a LONG time to come.
I’m sorry to hear that; it is really an eyesore.