Business & Tech

'Plan B' For Manor East Customers

One day after iconic nearby caterer closes, customers gather to seek answers.

Story by Jason Molinet 

Dennis Heaney’s daughter will have her Sweet 16 party – no matter what. But the Wantagh man admitted the task will be that much tougher after the venue and family’s $3,000 deposit disappeared seemingly overnight. 

One day after iconic Massapequa caterer Manor East closed its doors suddenly and without notice, stunned customers who had scheduled events at the catering hall were seeking answers, help and accountability. Sixth graders from Newbridge Road School in Bellmore were scheduled to host their dance at 6 p.m. Thursday, but an anonymous caller informed parents that the Massapequa catering hall had prematurely closed its doors. 

“My daughter’s a good kid,” Heaney said. “She deserves this [party]. She doesn’t deserve the criminal acts of one person to affect her. We’re having a party.”

Heaney was one of dozens who showed up Friday at the office of Assemb. Joseph Saladino, R-Massapequa. The Assemblyman brought representatives from the Long Island Caterers Association to help displaced parties keep the date for their Sweet 16s, weddings, anniversary and birthday parties.  

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With victimized catering hall customers looking on alongside the media throng, Saladino announced he would find replacement venues for the displaced but fell short of calling for an investigation into Manor East

“We’re here to protect the [victims], protect our community and do everything possible to ensure that they don’t lose their big day,” Saladino said. 

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The Nassau County District Attorney’s office said it had received complaints about the caterer and are reviewing the allegations, according to spokesman Chris Munzing.

A hotline has been set up by the Long Island Caterers Association to help parties find a new venue: 516-462-9001.

“We’re here to help place everybody’s party,” LICA President Butch Yamali said. “We’ll help you find locations and venues who will honor your deposit – or at least honor your date.” 

When Nassau County Sheriff’s vehicles showed up at the Jerusalem Avenue hall and word spread the caterer was being evicted Thursday, it touched off a mad scramble of customers desperate to find out about their planned event.

“I went to Manor East yesterday as soon as I heard what was going on,” said Elizabeth Barbieri, of Massapequa Park, who left a $1,500 deposit for her daughter’s Sweet 16. “Frank, the banquet manager, told me, ‘Don’t worry. It’s a wrongful eviction. We’ll be up and running by the weekend.’ I’m hopeful that’s true, but at this point I have to work on Plan B.” 

Another mom described how invitations had already gone out and the gown bought for her daughter’s Sweet 16. It's an emotional response to a stark reality.

Richard Bivona, who in the past described himself to Patch as an owner of Manor East, was on hand at Saladino’s office to own up to the sudden closure.

“I’m not a lawyer. The legalities are going to be clear,” Bivona said. “We fully expect to get the Manor East back. The immediate concerns are my customers and [that’s] why I’m standing here.”

What exactly happened is still unclear as Manor East is reportedly fighting its eviction. But with customers feeling uninformed and out money, it’s clear the caterer will face more legal troubles ahead.

“I contacted the DA’s office this morning,” Heaney said, “and filed a criminal charge against them.”


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