‘People are frantic right now': Emotional fallout from Hamilton banquet halls in receivership
The ripple effect has been considerable following a court-ordered receivership that has indefinitely closed the Michelangelo's and Grand Olympia banquet centres in Hamilton.
Events impacted that had been booked at the popular halls range from weddings to high school proms, a steelworkers' banquet and a Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame induction luncheon.
The banquet centres were shut down
late last week
, after Ontario's Superior Court of Justice
denied a request
from its owners for an extension to repay debt.
Locks were placed on the gates of Michelangelo Banquet Centre last week as its parent company was put in receivership.
'People are frantic right now, and a bit hysterical,' said Vico Rosatone, general manager at LIUNA Station, who has fielded 'a couple of hundred phone calls' in the last few days from people desperate to rebook events.
He said he wants to help, but it's difficult finding open dates at his hall, adding that he has been working with a manager at Michelangelo's toward that goal.
He said he just booked a wedding on seven days' notice for May 24.
'(A couple) came in Saturday and we booked them … We are trying our best so if people come in crying, they leave with happy tears.'
Rosatone also squeezed in an Ironworkers 736 banquet on May 31. The event has 250 guests and had been booked at Michelangelo's.
Steve Pratt, Ironworkers 736 president, saluted Rosatone, adding he felt lucky to rebook for the same date, given that he had already booked hotel rooms downtown for that evening.
Mizzy Asanovic, manager at Winona Vine Estates, said it's 'crazy' how many calls he's receiving, but they have few open slots.
'We have picked up a couple of events; we managed to fit in the Mountain Volleyball Club on May 27 … A fairly large event, 500-plus people.'
One bride-to-be phoned him Victoria Day, asking if Winona could host her wedding June 7, but he did not have an opening. She said she had paid a $10,000 deposit with Michelangelo's.
It's not clear what will happen out of the receivership process with deposits made on bookings at the two halls.
The Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame had booked its member induction luncheon at Michelangelo's on Oct. 22. The hall's board members will meet to discuss options. The hall had not yet paid a deposit.
'It's our biggest event of the year, it's important to us, so we're going to have to move quickly,' said Hall of Fame president Sandy O'Reilly.
According to
court records
, the two banquet halls and their related companies are owned by a Mississauga-based family that owes more than $14 million to the Bank of Montreal, including around $8.2 million tied to Michelangelo and $6 million for Grand Olympia.
A letter taped to the front door of the Grand Olympia says 'entry or removal by unauthorized persons is prohibited.'
Aftab Elahi, listed as the sole officer and director of Mario's Catering Service and Grand Olympia Realco, the parent companies of the banquet halls, did not respond to an email from The Spectator on Tuesday requesting comment.
Phone calls to each banquet hall were answered, but officials did not return the calls.
The receiver appointed by the bank also did not respond to a request for comment.
Last Friday, Galileo Gardens in Stoney Creek made prom dreams come true for Orchard Park high school students, hosting their imperiled rite of passage on short notice that same night.
The hall's general manager said Friday afternoon he received a request for help from Grand Olympia, which had booked the prom.
'We wanted to help out,' said Ab Thapar. 'We had the space available and we have worked with Orchard Park in the past.'
Michelangelo Banquet Centre and The Grand Olympia were shuttered indefinitely after Ontario's Superior Court of Justice denied a request from its owners for an extension to repay debt.
Galileo Gardens staff reported for work, including the head chef from one of the hall's affiliated restaurants. Teachers pitched in, and the 'black and gold'-themed prom went off without a hitch.
'Everyone pulled together and stepped up,' said Thapar. 'Our people were happy the kids had their prom.'
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