Future of Pasquale's addressed at selectmen's meeting

Date: 12/8/2008

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Within the next 90 days, the future of Pasquale's Restaurant, located at 642-644 North Main St., may be decided.

Michael Torcia, the manager of the restaurant which has been closed since February, met with the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday evening to discuss what plans were in place for the eatery.

Torcia's attorney, Alfred Geoffrion, explained that there were three partners in charge of the business, one of whom was the head chef. The chef got tired of the "day to day" and wanted to be bought out of his partnership. The remaining partners are now deciding whether they want to sell the property as a restaurant or reopen it as a restaurant.

Geoffrion said one outside party is particularly interested in purchasing the property.

"We're asking for 90 days to come to a resolution," Geoffrion stated.

Board of Selectmen member Jack Villamaino asked that no liquor license be issued to the establishment until the issue was resolved.

"The license is approved," Villamaino explained, "it's just not being issued until you're ready to use it."

"I see no problem in waiting," Selectman Joe Townshend stated. "[Waiting] 90 days in this economic climate ... I don't think it's unreasonable.

"We're here to work with you," Townshend added.

The future of Pasquale's should be decided by March 1, 2009.