Yesterday's Page Six magazine speculated that recent troubles for the Cipriani Group—tax evasion charges and the upcoming closure of a ballroom location—plus a tough former chief of police at the head of the State Liquor Authority, could lead to serious problems for the family-run catering and restaurant empire. According to the piece, which gives significant weight to a vote from the State Liquor Authority (in three weeks time the agency is to decide whether it will revoke the liquor licenses for all Cipriani-owned venues), the company's legal woes have thrown it into a precarious position that could tumble further downward without the support of a strong economy.
Whether the prediction is true remains to be seen—the ballrooms are still popular locations with event planners, and our calendar shows at least 15 events booked at Cipriani 42nd Street and 14 at the Wall Street location between now and the end of the year.
In response to the article, a spokesperson for the Cipriani Group issued this statement: "There were a number of basic factual inaccuracies in the piece. For example, the decision to vacate Cipriani 23rd Street, which was the least profitable of all of our catering facilities, was on mutual agreement with the landlord; the rent at the Rainbow Room is not $4 million per month; and Cipriani Wall Street is a catering facility, not a 1,000-seat restaurant. Our focus remains on continuing to build our 80-year tradition of fine dining, distinguished events, and extraordinary hospitality."
Whether the prediction is true remains to be seen—the ballrooms are still popular locations with event planners, and our calendar shows at least 15 events booked at Cipriani 42nd Street and 14 at the Wall Street location between now and the end of the year.
In response to the article, a spokesperson for the Cipriani Group issued this statement: "There were a number of basic factual inaccuracies in the piece. For example, the decision to vacate Cipriani 23rd Street, which was the least profitable of all of our catering facilities, was on mutual agreement with the landlord; the rent at the Rainbow Room is not $4 million per month; and Cipriani Wall Street is a catering facility, not a 1,000-seat restaurant. Our focus remains on continuing to build our 80-year tradition of fine dining, distinguished events, and extraordinary hospitality."
