Mandy's Pizza in Observatory Hill closing due to crime (Pittsburgh: homes, college)

[Sciulli]

Interesting addition to the story...

Joe Negri, the owner of Mandy's, also owns two residential properties in Observatory Hill. He hasn't paid city or country real estate taxes on the homes AND on the property at Mandy's for at least 4 years. He's around $25,000 tax delinquent.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by Sciulli

Interesting addition to the story...

Joe Negri, the owner of Mandy's, also owns two residential properties in Observatory Hill. He hasn't paid city or country real estate taxes on the homes AND on the property at Mandy's for at least 4 years. He's around $25,000 tax delinquent.

Not terribly surprising, Mr. Negri's rant certainly hinted to the idea that the number of robberies, burglaries and other problems at Mandy's put him into financial default. He probably owes others money as well

[selltheburgh]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Not terribly surprising, Mr. Negri's rant certainly hinted to the idea that the number of robberies, burglaries and other problems at Mandy's put him into financial default. He probably owes others money as well

do you seriously think that they stole 25k from his cash register, even over the course of a few robberies?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by selltheburgh

do you seriously think that they stole 25k from his cash register, even over the course of a few robberies?

Of course not.


But the money personally lost is only part of the cost to him.

Robberies make it more difficult to retain delivery staff, damages to the property during the events, and probably most important, an atmosphere of crime and unsafety in the area makes customers less likely to come out in the evening to dine.

I'm sure that crime isn't the only factor that prompted Mandy's demise in OH, these things have multiple reasons. Mistakes are made, and the proprietor has responsibility for it as well.


But the West View Mandy's is just a couple of miles up the road and still in business, those under the protection of a different police and municipal administration.

[8YearsinPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Sciulli

Ugh. Just bought a house in Observatory Hill about a 5 minute walk from Mandy's. I had pizza there once and it was pretty good. Disappointed that the tiny business district is shrinking even further.

Mandy's just announced today after the city didn't really do anything to help with the crime, they are closing the Observatory Hill location.

Here's the final 9-page letter sent to Peduto:
http://www.mandyspizza.com/wp-conten...-Northside.pdf

They have great food, but I'm tired of this guy acting like he is the only business owner who has been the victim of crime in Pittsburgh

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by 8YearsinPittsburgh

They have great food, but I'm tired of this guy acting like he is the only business owner who has been the victim of crime in Pittsburgh

He has left town, you won't be hearing any more from him personally.


Maybe if someone moves into the Mandy's space, the successor business will keep their mouths shut about the crime problem up there.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

He has left town, you won't be hearing any more from him personally.

Mandy's still has a Squirrel Hill location, so they haven't decamped for the suburbs.

Maybe someone could convince Spak Brothers to take it over? They do good business. They've had a guy who has been trying to rob them recently after hours, most recently by smashing the front door. However, since they have the good sense to take the money home at night, he hasn't been getting any money.

[norcider]

Originally Posted by Sciulli

Interesting addition to the story...

Joe Negri, the owner of Mandy's, also owns two residential properties in Observatory Hill. He hasn't paid city or country real estate taxes on the homes AND on the property at Mandy's for at least 4 years. He's around $25,000 tax delinquent.

May I ask where you read this?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Mandy's still has a Squirrel Hill location, so they haven't decamped for the suburbs.

Maybe someone could convince Spak Brothers to take it over? They do good business. They've had a guy who has been trying to rob them recently after hours, most recently by smashing the front door. However, since they have the good sense to take the money home at night, he hasn't been getting any money.

No. They don't. It's Pastoli's Pizzeria now. He's totally abandoned the city.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

No. They don't. It's Pastoli's Pizzeria now. He's totally abandoned the city.

My bad.