, NJJN Staff Writer | 05.08.08
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The Short Hills Caterers, in business for 46 years, abruptly closed its doors April 16. Photo by Johanna Ginsberg |
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On April 16, committee members planning Temple Beth Shalom's June 15 dinner met with personnel at Short Hills Caterers to discuss table linens and place settings.
Hours later, the kosher caterer closed abruptly, sending the synagogue and many more with parties planned months — and even years — in advance, scrambling.
"They took a meeting that morning. We were not happy," said Michael Silverman, president of the Livingston synagogue.
The catering hall, in business for 46 years and owned by Michael Bienstock, filed for insolvency on April 18. The caterer sold its liquor license last summer to The Cheesecake Factory, which reportedly plans to open in the Short Hills Mall.
Stuart M. Nachbar, a partner at Middlebrooks Shapiro & Nachbar, a law firm in Union, may file a lawsuit against the caterer on behalf of disgruntled clients.
"We're exploring the possibility of bringing action against Short Hills Caterers. We have not determined what the nature or form of the action will be, but we have been contacted by several people involved," Nachbar told NJ Jewish News on May 5.
He plans to meet with a lawyer — Steven Z. Jurista of Wasserman, Jurista & Stolz — already working on behalf of some of the catering hall's former clients, as well as those with claims against the business. Jurista was appointed by Essex County to liquidate the business.
Now, as the dust settles, most clients have found alternative event locations. Temple Beth Shalom will hold its dinner in the synagogue; it will be catered by Prestige Caterers.
Karen Newman of Maplewood, who had been planning her daughter's Sept. 20 bat mitzva party, said she "lucked out" when she booked a location she hadn't previously heard of, the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park.
Allan Janoff, owner of the Crystal Plaza catering hall in Livingston, has, by all accounts, played a significant role in helping people find alternate locations — speaking with almost all of the 60 displaced customers. "We had a hand in placing about 28 either here or off-premises," said the Crystal Plaza's Barry Ress.
"He did not have my date, but he called back with places that did have my date. He was really nice," said Newman.
But people are still angry. And they've lost plenty of money.
"I was in shock," said Newman. A few weeks before the closing, the caterer requested a $6,000 check for the party she had booked for September.
They still have her money.
"They must have known then," she said. "I experienced shock, surprise, upsetness, and anger. We had to reprint part of our invitations! I am really angry about the money. I could not believe someone would take money knowing they would go bankrupt. How can a person live with himself? How can he sleep at night? How can he raise his children if these are the values he is teaching them?"
According to Richard Honig, Bienstock's attorney, the catering hall had to continue following normal business practice until actually closing as a matter of strategy and good business practice. "If they did not, word would get out and there is the probability that they would not only lose bookings but more important, key personnel. Without key personnel, you can't operate," he said. In fact, he said, they selected the week before Passover to close because it afforded the most time before the next party, slated for May 10. "We believe that while there is no good time to close, it is better to give everyone three-and-a-half weeks notice rather than three days," he said.
The business closed because, according to Honig, after sitting down with accountants and attorneys Bienstock determined that in order to keep the business open he would have to invest at least $25,000 above and beyond what the family has invested over the last few years. "He realized he couldn't do it," said Honig.
Regarding the timing of the events, Bienstock was aware there were problems last summer when he sold the liquor license to pay off creditors, said Honig. The business continued to lose money. "Every day the business stayed open, it was losing more money," said Honig.
Honig remains optimistic that there will be enough assets to cover creditors, including people who had parties planned there.
But for those whose affairs were cancelled, nervousness remains.
Beth Shalom's Silverman planned to attend a meeting with Nachbar on behalf of the synagogue. "We put money down and we're trying to get it back," he said.
Despite her anger, Newman tries to keep things in perspective.
"Let's not forget that the party is just a celebration of the main event — the service and what happens there. The most important thing is the training and her being on the bima, leading services and reading Torah. Everyone gets caught up in the party, but I always say let's not forget why we're having a party."
Local stories posted courtesy of the New Jersey Jewish News