Landlord to Black Betty: Drop Dead
The Brooklyn Paper has already done a stellar job reporting on the real estate-related undoing of neighborhood founding father Black Betty, but there are still a few pertinent details that mourners must know. First, some bittersweet news: closing ceremonies kick off tomorrow night, June 3rd, with Hype of the States, Orion Experience, and DJ Chris Rob, starting at 10:30pm. After that, look for Chin Chin on June 4, the eighth anniversary of Brazilian Beat on June 7, Jonah Smith on June 10, the Pimps of Joytime on June 11, and, for their June 15 finale, the Reverend Vince Anderson. (More details here.) After that sad, sad day, look for their “Make Love, Not War” parties to move to Rose and Vince Anderson to take up residence at Union Pool. Of course, neither of these venues serves chicken tagine or chickpeas with basmati rice, but they will have to do.
Now, the just plain bitter stuff:
A person involved in the contract negotiations for Black Betty tossed another volley in their war of words with landlord Pasquale Pescatore. According to our source, after handing in that $35,000 good-faith payment in expectation of signing another ten-year lease, they received what they described as an “unsignable” document, including clauses that barred them from remaining open after 11pm and that required the venue to pay the rent of any other leasees in the Metropolitan Avenue building should they vacate citing noise from the venue. After that, Pescatore allegedly accepted fifty grand from the new leaseholder, against whom, it should be said, Black Betty bears no ill will. No final word yet on what exactly will become of the hallowed ground, but rumor has it will remain a watering hole, if not also a restaurant and music venue. As you can imagine, our source had some stronger words for Mr. Pescatore, but they shall go unprinted. This is a family website, after all. More details as they come out.
Comments
I am currently having my problems with the Pescatores as well. I am living in a building they own right next door to where Black Betty was. I have been living here with my mother and brother since it was owned by one James Napoli. When Mr. Napoli sold the building to Mr. Pescatore he made him promise not to raise our rent. As soon as Mr. Napoli passed on promise broken. Not only did he raise the rent but he was illegally over charging us much more then he should have been for many years until I had the rent lowered legally recently and I intend to file for the over charges. My mother passed away in 97 and my brother Aug 2010 from lung cancer. That day was the first time I met Mr. Pescatore as he came by thinking he was going to take over the apt. I am now in the process of going back and forth to court with him and his wife Florence as they are claiming I just moved in the day my brother passed away or that I have not been here for as long as I have. I have more then enough prove that I have been living here for as long as I have. And I have plenty of not so nice things I will be more then willing to bring up about the Pescatores in court if need be. The former owner of the building Mr. James Napoli's sons are willing to back me up as well. I have a very good rent advocate on my side one Debra Medina from Los Sores here in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Thank you very much Miss Medina. Yours truly Vic Martino.
Posted by: Vic Martino | January 28, 2010 03:14 AM
thank you
Posted by: UGG Coquette | January 15, 2010 03:54 AM
That First Comment is so priceless I only wish I could've said it. Crystallized all our feelings.. Just wanna update and Correct the Flyer-Tonight is H.O.T.S., Dj Chris Rob, and Only Living Boy, Not the Orion Exp... AND THERE's NO COVER!!!!!! Thanks to All Love and Best Wishes..
Posted by: Christopher Robinson | June 3, 2009 06:31 PM
10 years coming to this place... me and friends affectionately called it "sweaty betty's"... never a better night had, dancing and galavanting with friends... in a decades time this place has fed me like a mother would, got me drunk like an older brother could, and gotten me laid like a good friend should...
it will be missed...
Posted by: Joe | June 2, 2009 07:43 PM
RIP Black Betty.
You guys were awesome. Many a good time and meal there over the past decade.
Hope you find a new space, Bud.
Posted by: Larry Loron | June 2, 2009 04:46 PM
Pasquale Pescatore is the sleaziest of all the Williamsburg landlords. He runs his little scam out of Middle Village and has a long held reputation for screwing people over. I once rented a parking space from him and after charging me $75 for an electric door opener, he removed the electric door and wouldn't refund me. Then he doubled the rent over the course of the year. He refused to even take calls over the phone when you try to call his office and instead makes his wife do interference. Brave man. It didn't take me long to find other people who had similar problems with him...mention his name in any Williamsburg bar and you'll find at least one person who he's screwed. Horrible news about Black Betty...they're probably too loud for that neighborhood now but no one can beat their paella.
Posted by: Peter | June 2, 2009 04:25 PM
This place was the one of the few places to go back in the day (mid-nineties) when I first moved the Williamsburg. It was truly an oasis, many good times were had there and it will be missed.
Posted by: aginghipstergirl | June 2, 2009 03:47 PM