Restaurant Has
Other Financial Woes in Addition to
Sun City Anthem
"Just when you (were hoping) it was safe to come out of the water"...
... more concerning news has been
uncovered about
"Anthem Restaurant
Partners LLC", the company that owns Cafe
V.
When our initial articles commenced
regarding Cafe V's inability to present a "Certificate of
Insurance" following the disclosure they were also in financial default
of utility bills...
...our years of "business sense curiosity" seemed to raise a red flag ...
Namely...
If they owed Sun
City Anthem money, could that also be the case
elsewhere?
We had good reason to raise that
concern.
A couple of years ago, we desperately
made every attempt to make two former board members
aware that the previous restaurant owner had an outstanding judgment of $150,000 against him prior to being accepted in the
Sun CIty Anthem community...that from the time of that
judgment, more than a year had passed...and still remained
unpaid.
It was based on that fact,
we wholeheartedly believed THAT INDIVIDUAL was not a
"good fit" for Sun City
Anthem.
We won't embarrass those two former Sun
City Anthem Board members, but suffice to say....one left
town before his term expired (he's back now as a resident), and the other spent 2 years as the president of Sun City
Anthem.
The result ?
That fact went
unheeded; the tenant was approved despite our
providing that vital information, and one day shortly
thereafter....
..."Poof"...
...the doors were suddenly shuddered,
and the owner was spotted making attempts to cart our
restaurant equipment out the back door loading it into a truck bound for who
knows where !
Well now....there's a saying that bears
repeating again and again....
"Those unfamiliar
with the past, are condemned to repeat it"
And low and
behold....
..."Poof"...
...here we go again
!
We learned that "Anthem Restaurant Partners LLC" is being SUED by an organization named "Pinpoint
Publications" for...
$5,200.00
Here are the details:
Here are the details:
a.
The Plaintiff is "Pinpoint Publications", having filed a formal complaint
on 9/25/14, asking for a judgment of
$5,200.00.
b. On 10/15/14 and 12/29/14 the court
tried unsuccessfullly serving "Anthem Restaurant
Partners LLC" with the legal documents.
c. On 3/15/15 a court server was finally able to complete
service...at the restaurant on Hampton Road.
d. The
subpoena was finally signed by "Jane Doe" and the description of the recipient was "5'7" 140 lbs blond hair 40s W".
e. On 7/2/15, the plaintiff's attorney, filed what is believed
was a motion to add attorneys fees and costs to the
complaint.
f. The case
is still open; no trial date has been set; and is being heard by Judge Rodney
Burr.
We would like all of you to know that this
information is PUBLIC RECORD...and was obtained
within 2 MINUTES.
We are NOT board members,
and we are NOT attorneys, yet we
were able to find it with a simple CLICK OF A
BUTTON....
...because we used our common
sense considering the experience with the prior restaurant ...AND... looked !
What does that have to
do with Sun CIty Anthem?
You see....if "Pinpoint
Publications" prevails...in all likelihood they would hold a FIRST LIEN against "Anthem Restaurant
Partners LLC"...
...and it would place Sun City
Anthem SECOND IN LINE to recover any funds
owed.
Had our "board members", "management company
officials", or "legal counsel" thought to do the same simple
check...especially in light of the TRUE horror story
of the previous restaurant tenant?
Evidently, "common sense" and LISTENING to the FACTS
of the PAST...never seem to make much sense to some....even though, more often
than not, our concerns are DEAD
ON.
And as a result of paying little attention TO THE
PAST, and IGNORING individuals who have had experience at recognizing "red flags"...
...we are once again confronted with a similar
situation...
...only THIS ONE IS MUCH
WORSE !
The last guy walked out with the
furniture....this one
could walk out WITH
YOUR WALLET.... if someone gets sick or is injured in an uninsured
environment.
It has now been in excess of
THREE WEEKS since it was publicly disclosed that "Anthem Restaurant
Partners LLC" has not been in compliance with the Sun CIty Anthem lease
agreement....
...yet Cafe V is not only
allowed to continue to operate while in default, it also has yet to
provide PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE....
...and to further complicate the issue, Cafe V CONTINUES TO BE ADVERTISED by official Sun CIty Anthem
communication through resident eblasts !
The logic of these decisions after all previous
facts are considered, is mind boggling....and...in our
opinion....
...demonstrates a
complete disregard of fiduciary responsibility.
So...with these facts in mind,
we drew the following conclusions that bring up the
word...
"accountability".
1. This lawsuit by
"Pinpoint Publications" was filed on September 25,
2014.
2. At the end of December, 2014, THREE MONTHS AFTER the
"Pinpoint Publications" lawsuit was filed, the outgoing board voted to
CUT THE RENT for the restaurant IN HALF...for the SECOND
TIME...in the same year.
(Were any of these board members
aware of that litigation?)
(Isn't that the responsibility
of the management company to do regular due diligence and check such SIMPLE YET
VITAL MATTERS...and...THE BOARD TO OVERSEE THEM...ESPECIALLY
IN LIGHT OF PAST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE?)
3. Six months into 2015 ...this "new board" allowed that
restaurant to continue operating....suddenly becoming aware they likely were
UNINSURED at the June 25,
2015 board meeting....while for months...knowing they were in default of utility
payments.
4. At the same board meeting the above was
disclosed, June 25, 2015...the Sun City Anthem Board voted to
GIVE $90,000 to FSR, our
management company...for the purpose of rewarding THEIR employees...
...ALLOWING THAT COMPANY FULL
AUTHORITY TO SPEND THAT SUM IN ANY WAY THEY SAW FIT...without requiring ANY VERIFICATION pertaining to who, how,
or in what amounts, any individual or individuals will receive the funds.
In other words, THERE IS NO
GUARANTEE that any of that money will go to any
employee....
...while at the same time, KNOWING FULL WELL that our association would shortly transition to
self-management....
...eliminating their
services.
...ALSO REALIZING that the early contract termination
would cost Sun CIty Anthem residents an "early termination fee" of what would
likely amount to in excess of $100,000...
...despite that organization failing to provide
basic information regarding Cafe V litigation that could affect the solvency of
the association.
5. As late as July 10, 2015, officially sponsored Sun City Anthem eblasts continued to be sent
to residents which in effect, ENDORSE Cafe V.
Now...our readers, it's your
turn !
First, we believe the
opening step is to be RESPONSIBLE and STOP all further EBLASTS that
ADVERTISE an APPARENTLY UNINSURED
FIRM...that now...HAS EXISTING PENDING LITIGATION
AGAINST IT !
Second, because of our
articles and the massive number of comments made by you, our valued
readers...this board is NOW FULLY AWARE of your
concerns (and displeasure) of their current and past
actions...
...but...YOU CAN, AND SHOULD, DO
MORE; namely WRITE THEM and EXPRESS
YOUR FEELINGS and DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT AND WHEN
ACTION WILL BE TAKEN to protect our association's financial
integrity.
We have an Information Page entitled "Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Information" that can
easily be assessed by clicking on this link:
Third, do everything
possible to make your neighbors aware of this problem...and tell them to read
and subscribe to Anthem Opinions....in order to get THE FULL
TRUTH rather than selective "bits and
pieces" received elsewhere that serves little purpose other than DECEPTION.
A half-truth is also a HALF
LIE.
Here's our subscription
link:
Finally, continue your
thoughts and send us an email as to what your feelings
are...and what, if any actions you believe should be
taken to end this financial nightmare that appears to worsens each
day.
We'll publish each and every comment you
send.
Our email address is:
In closing, we have made a number of efforts to ask
this Board to act responsibly pending any further
litigation....
...BUT FOR NOW...AT THE
VERY LEAST....CEASE THE EBLAST
COMMERCIALS.
This is a matter of VITAL
IMPORTANCE to SUN CITY ANTHEM that must be responsibly
addressed NOW.
Anthem Opinions
Administration
Thanks for your update on the restaurant.
I feel the board does not listen to the residents. I have tried to get things changed in the lower gallery, to no avail. Went to P&G, facilities, board meeting and they just don't care.
I still think we should call the state and tell them the restaurant has no insurance and have them closed.
Is this a possibility?
The silence is deafening already. I don't believe it is illegal not to carry liability insurance, but it is against the lease agreement.
...and no matter what is said by anyone...IT CREATES HUGH LIABILITY to Sun City Anthem's residents.
As the article stated, it is shocking that eblasts continue.
I'd like to send all of the board a clip from Dr. Phil....."What Were You Thinking?
What is the City of Henderson doing about this business working without insurance?
Do they know? Does it matter to them? We are in a mess….
We could be sued by "V" employees if something happens there, right? Also anyone who goes there.
This is not very responsible, to say the least.
Not only that, but they are using our name “Anthem” in their business….it is embarrassing!
Sun City Anthem Board is beyond terrible.
We can’t hold the board financially responsible,so my hard earned retirement and others are paying for their mistakes.
Frankly, I am in favor of a restaurant at Anthem Center.
This memo does not comment on all the financial and legal issues you have documented.
My concern is with the quality of the finished product.
My wife and I were entertaining out of town guests on Tuesday July 7. We thought we would show them our restaurant and dine there..
She called the restaurant's answering service in the afternoon to inquire about any specials and other details and never received a response.
We went to the restaurant any way at about 530 PM. It was dreary and there was no salad bar.
I asked about the salad bar and was told that they had had an ant infestation and the salad bar was shut down.
After wondering where else the ants could be, we decided to leave the restaurant and went to one of the many choices on Eastern Ave.
Assuming Cafe V is a "goner", I hope IF another restaurant is considered, we look toward a major modification over our previous unsuccessful ventures, avoiding tenants who will bleed us dry.
As a matter of fact, I would avoid ALL tenants.
Let's face it, we're now 0 for 4; reality has to set in, and new rules would have to apply for any chance of success.
My choice....a very small area...
...we own it, and provide limited "finger food" service with a happy hour...and the proceeds applied to perhaps having a weekly singer or small combo playing for a couple of hours during that short period of time (5:00 to 7:00pm).
...and I would be wholeheartedly in favor of some video poker machines in the bar area.
Originally I opposed this idea, but self-ownership would mean we would keep 100% of the proceeds.
We would also eliminate all property taxes due by avoiding an outside vendor.
It would be a place for the mah jong people, the pool and card players, and those going to miscellaneous meetings who could patronize it for something simple and a drink.
With self-management right around the corner, my guess is that we could staff the place with 100% volunteers for a couple of hours each day, and I know we have a number of retired bartenders that would love a paid part-time job...with tips.
There are plenty of restaurants available in the valley to eat that 5 star meal. If one can get to Anthem Center, they can get to some other place on Eastern Avenue as well.
All of that could be inexpensively constructed using the existing bar space with a few tables.
The entire huge area remaining would solve a problem for the space the residents have been yearning to have for their various entertainment venues.
The old adage, KISS, (keep it simple, stupid) would be applied.
Anyone else out there have any thoughts?
Profitability would be a secondary consideration with the belief this modified idea would literally pay for itself.
One VERY IMPORTANT difference no matter what is decided...allow the PEOPLE TO MAKE THE DECISION through a formal mailing to ALL RESIDENTS with complete information including projected costs and returns.
This formal mailing should include not just the question, but A MINIMUM of 5 pros and 5 cons as to the merit of the proposal.
Slanted and deceptive surveys to favor one particular idea should be avoided at all costs.
Wow. This just gets better about Cafe V.
I am tempted to call the Review Journal and find out if it's against the law to operate a restaurant without insurance.
Maybe this nonsense needs to get out in the open.
I wish someone would tell me why this restaurant is still open!
Let's learn a lesson from this fiasco...it is the people we elect that make the decisions.
Unqualified people without relevant experience are simply not capable of making qualified decisions.
We've preached that for some time now.
Let's hope that those who do care about our community, will take the time to do the proper homework before they cast a ballot, rather than asking a neighbor "Who Should I Vote For?"
We have come to a point where callous decisions can no longer be tolerated.
We may live in a desert, but our financial future is on "thin ice" if we continue that path that we have traveled in the past 7 years.
Dick,
How many times over the years have you heard me say since restaurant attempt #2
(Tirzo) failed…
1. Arts and Crafts needs more space.
2. Table tennis has no place to play other than sharing the Independence multipurpose
rooms requiring tables to be stored and set up for each play.
3. Woodchips has been begging for more space for more than 4 years to accommodate
their 150 members working on their projects and building items for residents.
4. Billiard tables are scattered in Anthem Center and Independence Center.
5. Lower gallery card playing tables are jammed together because 4 billiard tables are
stuck in the middle.
6. Residents and leadership want a simple place to meat during meetings and evenings.
7. Residents would like a bar to socialize.
8. Residents like to gamble.
Simple solution…
1. Remove the catering kitchen area (approx. 40 sq ft) to make room for Billiards and
Table Tennis.
2. Move Arts and Crafts into the larger existing Billiards room.
3. Convert existing Arts and Crafts room into another multipurpose room.
4. Convert the Independence Center Penn room to a Woodchips project assembly area.
5. Remove billiard tables from lower gallery to improve card table spacing.
6. Provide area next to bar for a small Deli style eat in or take out restaurant.
7. Leave the bar and install video gaming in bar area.
Al these modifications could be accomplished under existing roof minimizing cost.
Just look at all the positives this would bring to Residents, Leadership and Clubs.