Burke's Tavern

CHAPTER 3

“Not feeling so Wells Fargo!”

April 14 2012

            Before everyone panics when they read the heading, relax. It has nothing to do with the rebuild but it is something that I need to get off my chest so here it goes.  Let me tell you how pathetic Wells Fargo is...and more specifically a certain employee in North Carolina, yes I said North Carolina, and for legal reasons let’s call him Tim. I have to explain why Wells Fargo is in the picture to begin with. 12 years ago I took a mortgage out from Wachovia to purchase the tavern. It went very smoothly like a bank transaction should. They took a low-risk loan because the building was their collateral. We continued to pay monthly for 12 years re-financing every 5 years without a hitch. They re-finance after 5 years in commercial accounts (I don’t know why). Since then Wachovia was bought by Wells Fargo. Now that you’re up to speed enter Tim after the fire. 

            When a business burns down the insurance company reimburses the owner the value of the policy but also recognizes the loans you might have out.  Legally the insurance company has to include your name and the banks name on the checks when they issue them. It covers the bank because they lost their collateral so the owner doesn’t take money and run. It’s funny when I read this out loud because didn’t we bail them out! As everyone LOCALLY knows I started the demolition, the foundation dig, the basement, the first floor and framing. So it didn’t take a detective to realize I’m not taking the money and running. But I was running short on cash so I took the check to Wells Fargo for them to sign off so I can cash it to continue to rebuild. Well Wachovia smooth turned into Wells Fargo bumpy. Remember me? I’m the same guy right around the corner who paid his mortgage religiously for 12 years. Everyone in the bank was sorry for my loss and knew I already started rebuilding. The thing that got me was the manager. There I sat in the waiting area for a really long time over something that I thought was going to take seconds. This is when I stopped smiling.

            The manager came out with her headset on and said she doesn’t have the authority to clear the $65,000 check I needed to continue. I didn’t know if she was kidding or should I order a big Mac and fries. Well she wasn’t kidding and she told me she emailed “Tim” in North Carolina for further instructions. She then gave me the check back and said she will call me when she finds out more.  Then she has the nerve to tell me good luck in the rebuild on the way out. After a week has gone by I paid her another visit at the bank.  This time I actually got in her office. She told me that she emailed Tim 3 times and got no response. At this time I’m looking for Ashton Kutcher to come out and tell me that I’ve been punked.  Meanwhile I proceed with rebuilding with a lot of promises of paying people when this ridiculousness is settled. I finally talk to Tim from North Carolina and it just hits the fan from there.

            I’ve never talked to a more miserable prick in my career. I can only imagine him in his cubicle with a picture of his ugly wife and 2.5 degenerate kids. He has no idea who Burke’s Tavern is or that we burned down or anything. Why should he because he’s 5 f-in states away. This is the guy that I have to talk to to move forward, can you believe it. He says first of all he doesn’t feel sorry for me or for my loss (now I’m thinking he’s ugly and fat). Then he wants me to fill out forms to re-apply for a Wells Fargo loan to transfer from Wachovia with a cost to me. He keeps telling me that the bank has lost their collateral (the building) but what he doesn’t know is I have re-built 40% back up. That and the land value is way over what we owed. I proved that I wasn’t running but Tim wasn’t hearing it. Good for you Wells Fargo, right after we bailed you out turn your back on an account that has been loyal for 12 years. Then Tim wanted me to get the partial rebuild appraised (at cost to me) for him to look at. What? Why Tim can’t you see it from North Carolina?

            This guy was very close to getting a swirly if I got in my car but the 8-hour drive wasn’t worth it. He finally says just pay off the loan. Finally some honesty, they don’t want me as a customer. Good for you Tim! I was starting to fear that you didn’t have a pair. Against my accountants wishes of paying the loan off I just wanted out and as far away from this bank as possible.  You think it ends there? WRONG!!! I find out that we have a penalty clause on our loan if we pay it early. Unbelievable! Well, to make a long story short I went over Tim’s head and got the penalty waived and paid the damn loan off.  Good riddance Tim, I really hope our paths cross someday.  On a good note, PNC bank has been great ever since.

            Now let’s get into updates on something a lot more positive…..the rebuild.  The rebuild is going smoothly. Burke Construction is finishing up on the framing and it looks great. Jeremy’s crew was professional, hard working, punctual and ahead of schedule. There are no weak links in his chain of command and everyone brings something to the table. These guys will continue to work for me in the details of the restaurant and the outside deck design. By the time this chapter circulates the doors and windows will be installed. It’s a very exciting time for me to see my vision come to life. I was actually speechless when I saw the bar that has been in my mind every time I close my eyes, for the first time. I can’t wait for all of you to see it. It has surpassed all my expectations. My father said it’s like a locomotive out of control. I say relax, Jack I got the reigns and I’m not letting go anytime soon! The famous green metal roof is also making a comeback and will be complete by April 20^th. Updated pictures are posted! There are many more surprises to come so stay tuned for chapter 4.  SLAINTE!

March 20, 2012

CHAPTER 2

“THE RECKONING”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!!!  To all of you out there that were lost on the High Holy Day you were not alone.  I, to, had to go up to the site and have a celebratory few beers to cope with the loss of a truly unique Irish Tavern.  You were all in my thoughts as I stared at the empty basement remembering the countless great times we spent together.  It was enough to relight the fire under my ass (maybe wrong choice of words) to continue.  I have a bar to build.

Well here we are, it’s already spring, and the fight to rebuild Burke’s Tavern continues.  I still meet with inspectors, zoning officers, dept. of agriculture and pretty much whoever wants to talk to me.  We have a basement with walls and a floor and even the first floor decking finished but much more needs to be done before I sleep.  It’s still a very interesting journey. Before I go any further I feel I must turn the clock back a little to March 9^th.  Two weeks prior to the 9^th I did a very risky thing and ordered the walls for the basement to be delivered on the 15^th.  Why was it risky you ask?  I did it without a permit.  I’m a pretty optimistic person so I figured that was plenty of time to get a permit for the foundation only.  I didn’t know at the time that I had to ask either Waldorff or Stadler for the permit (the Muppets).  God forbid someone can make a decision in Mt. Pocono that affects anybody!!  It’s kind of like which line to stand in at the DMV.  I found out through personal investigating that you don’t’ need a permit to dig a hole in Mt. Pocono as long as you don’t label it construction.  So with my newly found info I proceeded to dig the biggest hole to “bury my dog in” that anyone has ever seen in his or her lives.  FYI my dog is still alive.  Two days after starting to dig I get a call from the inspector saying he has my permit for just the foundation.  Holy shit I had to check if it was my birthday that day and to find out how many birthdays have passed since I f-in asked for it.  At least I can stop saying I’m digging T-rex’s grave lol.  Wait till you hear what happened after that.

I proceeded to drive down to the inspectors to pick up my freshly printed permit with a smile on my face for finally hearing good news and to my surprise both the inspector and the zoning officer (Waldorf and Stadler) were together in the office.  I was told after 2 days of digging that the building can be moved anywhere on the property without any trouble from the borough.  With my walls already on the way and the Dept. of Transportation approving the plans on the parking lot in Allentown as we speak I wasn’t happy with the news.  I’m sure the brain trust down in the borough figured we can’t take this guys front parking away without him coming at us.  It was too late.  I couldn’t change plans this late in the game without being delayed tremendously!  That’s what I meant when I was in the first meeting at the borough in November when I made myself perfectly clear that I don’t have the money to wait more than 8 months to build because of lack of insurance.  And I said it again in December and January and again in February, are you getting the pattern yet?  So the person who quoted “you can get more with sugar than vinegar” obviously never douched before and I felt particularly dirty.  No more Mr. Nice Guy, I got a restaurant to build!

That brings us to today where I wait impatiently for the next permit to be issued for building the first floor.  I’d like to take this time to reflect on the people that I have had the pleasure of dealing with in the rebuild.    My father always said to me in times of turmoil surround yourself with good people and they will make it pass sooner.  Truer words have never been spoken so I would like to introduce a few of the good guys in this war.  You can never have too many friends so I highly recommend putting Jeff Ingrassia on your list.  Jeff (Doc Funky) and I met a short time ago at the bar and he has since proved to be a huge asset.  Before the fire he excavated the back parking lot behind the restaurant. (Oops…didn’t know what a permit was back then!) I was able to see a small glimpse of his talent when he did that job for us. Since the fire I’ve had him on speed dial for the demolition, the foundation dig, excavating parking lot, back filling and just about everything in between.  I have his phone number if anyone needs an excavator or dirt delivery or the millions of other things he does.  The next player’s name is Brad Melillo.  Brad is the salesman for Superior Walls, which is the name of the concrete company that did our foundation.  He was always reachable and very professional.  I can’t say enough about the company that he works for.  They were very knowledgeable and extremely professional.  I know now why Superior Walls are growing leaps and bounds.  Next in line is the man that poured the foundation floor.  His name is Dave Altemose and I found him in Saylorsburg.  He’s very hardworking and fair priced.  A true artist in the masonry business and a compliment to his trade.  I have his number if anyone wants a quote on masonry work. 

Well there it is folks, so far so good.  I must end this chapter but there will be many more to come.  Till we read again Sláinte!


February 15, 2012

Welcome to the first edition of The Tavernian. If you are wondering "What is the Tavernian?", the Tavernian is a voice, opinions, announcements, current events, sports, updates, birthdays, a suggestion box, pictures, engagements all wrapped up in
a newsletter. It’s the brain child of one of the owners of Burke’s Tavern (Jamie). I felt the loyal patrons of BT deserved to know updates and the future plans for the restaurant and anything else that’s been on my mind. I’m treating this newsletter as my
alter ego and speaking my mind about all that’s happened in the past, present, and future. Please make sure to fasten your seatbelts and put your seats in the upright position cause I’m ready to take flight. Here we go!
I must start by bringing you back to Oct. 15th at approximately 10:23am. That’s about the time when life decided to throw me a curveball and I will forever hate that date. The fire started at 10:24am. My phone rang and it seemed time stopped. My first
thought was my brother, who lived there, and the safety of the rest of our tenants. I called Rusty and woke him and then I called Jon, who lives upstairs. At that point luck was with us and everyone got out safely but hell was waiting for me when I pulled in the parking lot. They say your life goes by you in seconds in a near death experience but when you stare
at a fire that’s taking everything you worked for in the last 20 plus years it takes a lot longer. The fire may have taken the building but I still have loads of great memories.
Chapter 2.
The rebuild. Through all the red tape, we finally finished the demolition of the building. It only took 3 months (lol). Since then I’ve met with architects, engineers, attorneys, adjusters, state reps, restaurant owners, insurance reps, accountants, councilman, dept. of environmental protection, municipal authority, water preservation, zoning officers, dept. of transportation, fire marshals, witch doctors, tarot card readers, palm readers and my spiritual advisor (Tullamore Dew). I’m gonna get this
thing rebuilt if it kills me!
Things are finally starting to go our way. On February 15th, four months after the fire, I got the green light on some of the expansion ideas for the new restaurant. Unfortunately we weren’t insured enough to rebuild the apartments but we were insured enough to expand the size of the restaurant. I put my architect to work on the ideas. We meet with Mt. Pocono Borough to finalize the details.  I think they are finally coming around but still keeping my fingers crossed at every step along the way.
We are hoping to break ground in the beginning of March if the weather holds up. We hope to be open sometime in the summer so we can enjoy Burke’s Taverns new deck! If anyone would like to be in touch, go to our contact page and click on the link to email us. Some of the comments or pictures sent to burkestavernpa.com will be posted on facebook. Thanks for being a part of something that I feel will be a great new beginning. Thank you to our loyal patrons for hanging in there...it will all be worth it when we raise our glasses to toast the new BT! We are reconstructing our website so be patient if things take time. I’m looking forward to what the future holds. This is your captain speaking, “thanks for tuning in”.