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moreManhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons, the luxury car dealership on County Road 31 in Westhampton Beach that filed for bankruptcy in May, was forced to close last weekend and reopen at a smaller showroom located across the street after its owner was unable to sign a new lease.
Annona Restaurant, which opened in 2005 and was located above the dealership, also closed over the weekend. However, Richard Rubio, the owner of both businesses, said Tuesday that he is looking to reopen the Italian restaurant soon, possibly in Westhampton Beach.
Mr. Rubio said he could not re-negotiate the lease with his ex-business partner, who owns the building at 112 Riverhead Road.
The dealership is still in business. The showroom of luxury cars was moved across the street to Westhampton Coachworks, the auto repair shop that Mr. Rubio also owns.
“We’re using the old showroom,” Mr. Rubio said. “It’s smaller, but it meets the needs.”
Mr. Rubio declined to name his business partner. The owner of the building at 112 Old Riverhead Road is listed as Westhampton Beach Holding, LLC of New York City, according to town records. The owner of the property could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Rubio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for Manhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons and Westhampton Coachworks in the spring. Chapter 11 allows business owners to re-structure their businesses when they can no longer pay their creditors.
Mr. Rubio attributed the decline of his businesses to the souring economy.
“In the depression of ‘09 and ‘08, especially in the auto industry and high-end market, all sales are down,” he said. “There’s a total collapse on the economy in the automotive industry.”
Westhampton Coachworks opened in 1978 as a small auto repair shop and, in 1990, Westhampton Auto-Wash was added to the business. Mr. Rubio opened Manhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons in 2004.
“We will re-emerge,” he said. “We’re getting new investors.”
Mr. Rubio could not say when his companies will re-emerge from bankruptcy.
Annona Restaurant did not file for Chapter 11 protection. In fact, the restaurant was doing quite well, according to Mr. Rubio. He said they were just unable to hammer out an agreement for the lease.
“We had to let it go,” he said. “Everybody tried.”
Peitro Bottero, the general manager at Annona, said he was sad to see the restaurant close and that he has received hundreds of calls of support from customers.
“It was a unique asset to the community,” he said.
The bulk of 30 employees working at Annona and Manhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons were laid off, Mr. Rubio said.
“It’s a family run operation,” he said. “It’s sad.”
Mr. Rubio said that he has every intention of re-opening Annona. He declined to name some specific locations that he’s looking at, but did say the restaurant will likely re-open somewhere in Westhampton Beach.
Annona opened in July 2005 as an Italian restaurant. Mr. Bottero said it was unlike any other restaurant in the area because it was open year-round and served unique dishes.
“Where are they going to go?” he said, referring to his loyal customer base.
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