Committee Targets 'Deteriorated' Diner for Code Violations
Paula's Family Restaurant runs afoul of several maintenance codes, committee members allege, and possibly a larger site plan issue.
Calling it “one of the most deteriorated (properties) that we have currently in town,” Cinnaminson’s township committee decided Monday to order exterior improvements at Paula’s Family’s Restaurant.
But thanks to missing site plans for the diner—which has stood since at least the 1960s—fixing problems could be a convoluted process.
“Paula’s came in and indicated they were changing ownership—it’s pretty common knowledge they were going to be under new ownership called Cinnaminson Diner,” said Deputy Mayor Anthony Minniti. “Until they found out they would be subjected to our site plan ordinance, at which point everyone became confused on the ownership.”
There are a few things Cinnaminson officials know for sure: signage at the diner changed without township permission. Plus, Minniti—who called the property deteriorated—identified several code issues.
“At visual inspection, there is a crumbling retaining wall, the landscape is overgrown and has flowed to the parking lot, the parking lot is in need of repaving, the signage clearly was not approved in any application,” he ticked off.
“And it’s lacking Dumpster enclosures, which should have been installed five to seven years ago. The fact that this is a food establishment and doesn’t have proper Dumpster enclosures is even more egregious. And there’s been some sort of power truck parked in the rear lot now for the better part of a month and a half.”
Most of those are maintenance code enforcement issues that officials can address immediately. But for larger issues, including the signage and the building’s conformity to its intended use, officials need the original site plan.
Only problem? No one can find it. No one’s even sure when it was approved.
Paula’s was previously known as Gabriel’s and before that, Perkins, according to the oral history offered by residents at Monday’s committee meeting. As best as anyone recalls, Perkins first opened in 1964. That’s about a decade after Cinnaminson began requiring site plan approvals—but many records from 1976 and prior were destroyed in a flood in 1992.
While township employees search for the original site plan, or at least the minutes of the meeting when it was discussed, officials will move forward with enforcing property maintenance codes.
“It’s clear that the owner is willfully intending to circumvent his obligations to improve his property,” Minniti said, “and if that’s going to be the case, my opinion is we have to utilize whatever necessary to bring it into compliance.”
The town committee meeting occurred after business hours and Patch was unable to contact Paula’s for comment. Check back with Cinnaminson Patch for a follow-up story.
AnoninCinna
6:42 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Just out of curiosity, why did the Township wait until this property changed hands to suddenly enforce these ordinances? If the dumpster issue was so "egregious", why was it not addressed 5-7 years ago? This is a very confusing situation.
JS
7:11 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I agree. It's been deteriorating for years; everyone could see that. How did they pass inspection all this time? Also, the original owners still own it, it's just being managed by new people. They own the whole building, which includes Pearle Vision as well. (Also, between Perkins and Gabriel's, it was known as Kian's Kitchen. And at one time the whole building was the restaurant before it was subdivided into the restaurant and For Eyes.)
SRDK
7:18 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Agreed. How did it ever pass inspection? We stopped going there because of the filthy and broken toilets which never seemed to get fixed.
Karma
8:29 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
me thinks it has something to do with a particular committee person's brother who tried to buy the restaurant but the deal fell through. hence all of a sudden the Twp is going after the owner of the restaurant for all of these violations? another classy move Antny, is this what they call "old time chicago politics". did you give the owner a threatening phone call like was done to a citizen who spoke their mind at a meeting? so basically folks it the same old thing, "if we don't get our way we will get you anyway"!!!!!
Bill C
9:03 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I have to agree wth Karma here. Sounds like the typical use of the Bully Pulpet by small people with power. The township needs to stay objective in spite of a guy named Minniti who blows with the wind. Too bad we did not have an alternate to vote for. The violations at Paula's have existed for 7 years and should have been handled. I am sure there are other businesses that are in violation of some township ordinance, but they are not splashed in the PATCH. Something smells fishy here and the odor is not coming from Paula's
JS
9:03 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Well there ya go...thank you for shedding some light on the situation...'nuff said....
Ray Budden
9:25 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Good Morning. It is interesting some days to read the comments on the PATCH. I haven't always agreed with Deputy Mayor Anthony Minniti, in fact I would say the more often than not lately I don't see things the same way. For example I would never have voted yes for a car for Director King, and that is not a knock on King, that is my personal view. I pay for my Truck for work and quite often when I am done for the day you will still see me delivering produce to Hunter's Farm Market, Delran Shop Rite, Cinnaminson Shop Rite, and others, and the company doesn't pay for my truck, and I have no problem with that at all. That being stated, Deputy Mayor Anthony Minniti would be worlds apart on that issue, but he has never come after me for it. There was a real disagreement concerning some mailers during his last election which I sent him an email letting him know it was wrong to do; I understand it is an election but if you are running for office it should be about why we should elect you and not about why we shouldn't elect someone else, be worthy of the office you seek. He sent back a reply to me that explained his position clearly and why he thought it necessary, to this day we will not agree on that topic, but he has never sent out the troops to come and fine me, arrest me, or put a summons on my door. If anyone has actual proof of such activity, they should report him because it would be criminal and he would be subject to the law would he not?
Everyone have a great day.
Louis
11:45 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ray- I sincerely hope you didn't just blow the whistle on youself. As for Paula's, I love it! I'll continue to go there until they close it down....or change the menu. I like the folks that manage it and the folks that work there.
Bruce
7:55 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
This theory was debunked ...see bottom of thread...
where the owner responds.
Edgar Stern
8:47 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What about the former Wok restaurant. That's uglier than Paula's.
Bruce
7:53 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I don't think it's uglier than Paulas but it sure would be nice to get some damn additional liquor licenses here so we could attract some better eaterys.
Lowell Doerr
8:48 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The place is a mess!the food ain't great (how do you screw up bacon and eggs?)
The owners are just sucking out all the money and re-investing nothing!...Time to clean up that corner!
Howard J.
1:25 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
Practice what you preach Lowell, look in the mirror.
Sally
8:51 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Paula's has always been a nice, small-town feeling place to have breakfast. Why, all of a sudden, is it being targeted? Doesn't Cinnaminson have more important things to deal with?
Ric
9:57 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@Sally. I do not think Paulas is the worse property in the township because there are plenty of bad ones. For public safety reasons I would pick Riverton Farm & Garden because it’s landscaping forces walkers right onto busy Rt. 130. Less than a year ago a pedestrian was injured at that intersection.
It would be interesting to see the results if Patch would ask readers to list the worse properties in the town.
Louis
11:51 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ric, dare I say it?! You had.....a GOOD idea! LOL I love Paula's. I've never found a place that makes Eggs Benidict the way they do. My wife can cook anything, literally. And even she can't come close. Maybe we should colaborate on a letter to the editor of the Patch to compose this list of Food Bombs. (And nobody steal that title from me!) Be safe, Patch Pals!
Ed Jenkins
11:10 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The food at Paula's has been horrible since the ownership / management change and it is filthy to say the least.... If there is an ordinance that states they need to renovate then what applies to others applies to them... If they have a problem with it then maybe they should seek to resolve it or sell it as I know they have attempted to do so numerous times but I think this local ordinance which I think Patch needs to bring to light chased away a number of potential businesses from moving in to that location.... This ordinance we have is good and BAD in certain circumstances.
JS
11:33 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I totally agree with Ed. But it has been dirty and unmaintained for years - why the sudden change in enforcing the legislation? There is no way this has gone undetected and that they just woke up one day and noticed what a mess the place is. I understand that two wrongs don't make a right, and that you have to start somewhere, but I just don't get why they weren't always required to make the necessary changes and upkeep to the building, kitchen, property, etc. Why now and not for the past 10, 15 years? If anything, it looks as though the new people are trying to make changes. Why haven't they been given the same 10-15 year grace period?
Bruce
7:50 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
JS...you are funny!"Why haven't they been given the same 10-15 year grace period"...That's a good one!
cinn city
11:46 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Not even Robert Irvine could save that dump. It looks the same as it did in 1986. I gave the new ownership a shot but the breakfast and service were terrible and it was way overpriced.
the5neumanns
12:21 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Personally I find their pancakes to be the best anywhere and despite my never ending search I have never found ones I like as much. I would eat their pancakes off the ground. I like the people that work there too and I still drive from 10 miles away when I want pancakes and an everything omelette.
FbS
1:13 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I have a friend in Philly who comes over to eat their pancakes ever weekend too and he says they are the best too. Never had em
Bruce
7:34 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Do they still sell Buckwheat pancakes? Do they still have fruit flies in the OJ in the summer? HA HA ...only kidding...
Marty Huggins
1:15 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I find it funny that almost everybody agrees this place is a dump and has been deteriorating for years yet is trying to blame Minniti. Maybe if Cinnaminson had a code enforcement officer doing his job, this would have been addressed years ago! Maybe that is why the zoning/code officer was on the hot seat last night! So the place changes ownership and now they have to fix up the place. Other have had to do this including Ken Gertie and Senator Allen so why not Paula’s?
John
2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Oh boy, a code enforcement officer, lets see now, how about all the EMPTY houses in this town, no one enforces the law, I have an idea let the public works people go around and issue summons, they do it for leaf and brush if its not on there due week
I travel around this town and see all sorts of leaves and brush out and its not there week so who is doing there job....oh well have a good day
Ric
1:46 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
@Marty First, welcome to Patch. I see you are brand new, Poor Anthony Minniti feels everyone is after him? Whatever.
Since when has Ken Gertie put in his sidewalk that was agreed upon back in June?
I agree that code enforcement should apply equally but that will never happen in Cinnaminson. There is far too much dealing beyond closed doors. The republican and independent minded political types of Cinnaminson are able to resolve issues very quietly.
Did you happen to notice the lack of opposition in the last election? It’s all about a little give here, a little give there and poof problem resolved. We are a small town but the political ways of Philadelphia have been learned well.
Jonas
1:51 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ok Marty...???? You nailed it. BTW IT'S THE LATEST HIT FOR THE TOWNSHIP 5!!! Watch your back people .. You. Could be next !
charlie mothershed
2:04 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Egregious,while I understand the point Mr. Minniti is making I think more of the public would have understood Flagrant,but more on point anyone who can't see that this place is a dump,well there is an ophthalmologist in the building behind Paula's . Anyone who honestly thinks nothing is wrong there, gives reason to pause, weigh and measure their......never mind.
Bruce
7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
You are a funny guy charlie....
Marty Huggins
2:11 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Wow Ric, thank you for the special recognition of a welcome to Patch. I see new and creative screen names everyday but none have ever warranted a personal welcome from you so boy do I feel special. I hope Ken Gertie will install his sidewalks as promised. I think he will because he seems to be a good guy. At Jonass, I guess if you follow the simple rules of society or in this case, our community, you would never have to watch your back so I don’t see your point. Paula’s is a dump so they should have to fix it like everybody else recently has. Period!
Ric
2:36 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
You are welcome. I am a bit confused, why did you say "I see new and creative screen names everyday" since you laim to be a newbie.
Since I do not know Ken like you do, perhaps you would call and remind him?
Ed Jenkins
2:33 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
#1 why was the zoning officer in the hot seat ??? #2 Long's Automotive just changed hands, the land was auctioned off by Getty and there is a new owner, will that ordinance apply there as well ?? Maybe a committeeman or woman can chime in....
Cindy Pierson
9:49 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Long's Automotive rented the property from Getty- hopefully the new owner will continue the rental agreement so that Long's will stay open at the present location (and I'm not from the committee, just a friend and customer of Brian's)
Terry K. veitenheimer
5:37 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Hmmm... I think the cheeses tastes like cardboaard and doesn't even melt. My friend had eggs and sausage and he asked me to try a piece of the meat.. dont know what it was.. but it wasnt sausage !!! I gave the new place 3 shots.. and their out !!!! HAHAHAHAHA !!! Sad to see an old landmark going downhill. Maybe someone SHOULD call resteraunt impossible !!! Why not ask the township commtee to do it ?? !!!! Give something back to the town !!! :)
AnoninCinna
6:45 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ric - since Mr. Gertie's sidewalk situation bothers you so much (obsessed much?) perhaps you should be the one to reach out to him. On behalf of the other "concerned citizens" and all...
And as far as Paula's goes, read the article. Mr. Minitti himself stated that there should have been a fence around their dumpster 5-7 years ago. Was the Almighty Committee NOT aware of this during those 5-7 years? I find that hard to believe...
I am very curious to hear the other side of this story. Will Patch be following up with an interview with the current owner?
ali dadyan
6:57 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
We at Paula's Restaurant appreciated all the attention we are getting in the Patch. Paula is visiting her mother in Florida. I'm sure she would have an answer to this issue.
I for one love every one of the people I come across in Paula's and for the last three years in Pearle the Vision.
I love this city and it’s people. As for the mayor and his brother's interest in the Restaurant I’m sure it has nothing to do with city’s enforcement of it’s ordinance .
I don’t know the mayor personally but I have no reason to think he has it in for me because of my dealing with his brother the job of running a town is complicated enough let alone bringing personal matters in it. I trust Mayors intentions are Honorable.
We like to fix the place up so we can give it to some other young family to continue serving the community as we did.
Over the last four years with economy struggling so have we. The outlook for the future looks a lot better than it did even two years ago and for that reason we have applied for permits to renovate the restaurant.
In conclusion we have enjoyed knowing each and every one of the people of Cinnaminson. Even the mayors Brother was nice to me when we had lunch at whistlers to discuss his intention on buying the restaurant.
Louis
6:59 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Spoken like a true gentelman. As long as I've known you, Ali, you've been a classy guy. That's why my wife and kids love coming to Paula's. We look forward to whatever changes come and know that we will continue to the food and service your staff has given so graciously. Keep up the great work!
Mark B.
1:47 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
Ali, you are a good man. Your place surely needs some remodeling, but the food and service has always been fantastic. However, Minniti is not the Mayor (yet), and you surely don't know him if you don't think anything done against you or your business isn't personal, and that his intentions are honorable. Nothing that man does is honorable.
Bruce
7:24 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Well that was a refreshing note Ali. It does my heart good to know your intentions are good and that you are an honest business man struggling to keep a business going in VERY rough times...and have the presence of mind to respond in this public forum to answer to accusations that are being thrown around with out merit...and a true gentleman at that. It will be wonderful to see new walls and seating inside, and some fresh professional landscaping and nice new blacktop!...can't wait!....If you do those things, I'm sure the place will sell.
ali dadyan
8:57 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Once again I'm reminded of why the last twenty two years has been best years of my life . People like Bruce and Frank make every effort worth while I appreciate your kind words .
FbS
7:40 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Ali is a good person. Met him a few times in both of his businesses and he was always kind and gracious to us.. Glad he is fixing up Paulas. Good luck Ali
lesanda
10:56 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Inasmuch as I have learned thru this discussion that we do have a property maintenance code on the books, why hasn't the enforcement officer ever cited the property located 23oo Lenola
rd. Cars are always parked on the front yard that seem to be in need of repair. The place looks like a "junk" yard. If it is in deed a junk yard do they have a license to operate one?
John
1:58 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Oh boy do not stop there ----- there are alot of VACANT houses in this area and no one does anything about it, I live bye one that has about 10 pieces of paper on the front door saying its bank owned.....these houses are a mess so I hope at some point in time someone will do somethng about it....
Cinnacide
7:12 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Obama was behind this one, I know it!
Al Pacino
1:35 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012
If the good ole' boys in the municipal building would wake up this town would be much better off!!
Al Pacino
2:01 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012
When are the leaves going to get picked up?
charlie mothershed
4:58 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I may have come back to this issue a little later than wanted ,but has anyone from the committee even tried to contact Perkins corp. A co that size throws nothing away and may have a starting point in recreating what is lost.