After word of Grimaldi’s demise spread like wildfire yesterday, The Brooklyn Paper did some old-fashioned reporting and called up the popular pizzeria’s outspoken owner for his take on the news that his landlord was seeking to evict him over $44,000 in back rent and reimbursements. (The Post and The Daily News now put that number at close to $60,000.) I don’t owe her any rent [as the Wall Street Journal reported], Ciolli said. We’re waiting until Friday to give the landlady whatever the total is.” In the same interview, though, Ciolli almost seemed to dare the landlord to give him the boot. What are they gonna do, move in another pizzeria? he said. It’s not gonna be Grimaldi’s. They’re gonna have an empty store.” The owner of Pete’s Downtown restaurant at the end of the block put the whole kerfuffle into perspective. This guy doesn’t actually wanna leave, and with this kind of cash, the landlord doesn’t really want him to leave either. He’ll pay up. A court date is set for tomorrow.
Grimaldi’s Owner: Eviction Talk Pie in the Sky [Brooklyn Paper]
Grimaldi Owner Not Moving Until Judge Says [NY Post]
Grimaldi’s Facing Eviction Over Rent Dispute [NY Daily News]
Still Long Lines at Grimaldi’s Despite Eviction Story [Brooklyn Eagle]
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up [Brownstoner] GMAP