We here at The Batavian heard from multiple sources over the past few days that the St Nicholas Social Club of Batavia had been closed down. We spoke this morning with Tim Walsh, a member who was on site at the Swan Street social club. Walsh is the current club manager.
When asked if the club was closed, Walsh replied: "No, not at all."
"It's mostly been rumors from disgruntled employees who were let go," said Walsh of all the talk that the club was shut down. The family that had been in charge of the place for the past ten to twenty years or so had been let go, he said. It's likely that they were responsible for spreading the rumors. Walsh figured it was a board decision to let them go. "It was time for a change."
St Nick's, as it's more commonly known, has been around since at least the 1950s, said Walsh. It's a membership-only Italian social club, in his description.
"We have 1,100 members," said Walsh. "We're trying to get most of them to come in and patronize the place. It's tough times right now."
"Friday nights we knock 'em dead here," he added. "We're open for lunch Monday through Friday, and for dinner on Wednesday or Friday. Lunch and dinner is not restricted to members. Friday nights are our busiest night each week."
Only members and their friends, however, can drink alcohol at the club because of state regulations. St Nick's also has a karaoke night once a month and hosts "a lot of benefits," he said.
"This is the best club in town," said Walsh. "Just about everyone in town knows we're here."
Great job clearing up that
Great job clearing up that rumor. As you know, i had heard it and with their asking members for extra money, the rumors sounded valid. Great job letting everyone know they are still open for business.
I'm a member of the Lions
I'm a member of the Lions Club and we have our meetings there. I'm glad there is no problem because St. Nick's does an awesome job with the food. Chicken Parm is the best!
Regarding your recent article
Regarding your recent article on the closing of St. Nick's. In the article, Philip Anselmo stated that the current club manager, Tim Walsh, attributed the "rumor" to be from disgruntled employees who were let go. I personally confronted Tim regarding his statements and he DENIES making them. If Philip Anselomo can verify that Tim is responsible for these statements, I would appreciate you forwarding to me any documentation that you have. If Tim is telling the truth and you as the reporter are responsible for the libelous statements made in this article, I would request that you print an immediate retraction on your web site. My family is in the process of retaining legal representation to pursue our legal remedies to the slanderous allegations made against my family. It is true that after 35 years of loyal duty to the Club, my father, was let go from his duties as Steward without warning and without the approval of the full membership. I am so very proud of his dedication to St. Nick's. What is not true in this story is that other members of the family were fired. Myself and my sister immediately quit our jobs and my brother resigned as Treasurer. We were not asked to leave but felt we had no other choice after manner in which they chose to let him go. Another person (not family!) also quit because of the unprofessional manner in which this was handled. It is a fact that no one in my family started any rumors regarding the Club being closed. We will look forward to hearing from you on this matter, along with the retraction in the very near future so that can proceed as soon as possible with our legal remedies.
Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please refer you and your writers to your own "Pool Rules" - Be honest and accurate. No personal attacks. Apparently that doesn't apply to all stories!
I am writing as the
I am writing as the Secretary of Saint Nicks. Any employees who left, or retired as a result of our restructuring left in good standing.
Only members of the Executive Board of Saint Nicks speak for the club. A phone interview with a busy employee should not be accepted as the opinion of our board. We deeply regret any misconceptions generated by the article. We sincerely apologize to any of our former employees who were offended.
Dominic Lovria
Secretary
St Nicholas Social Club
Our editor, Philip Anselmo,
Our editor, Philip Anselmo, did indeed talk with Mr. Walsh and Mr. Walsh did in fact say the words attributed to him by Mr. Anselmo. We stand by our reporting.
Since our system is an open system -- anybody can post and respond to what they read here -- if anybody wished to dispute the statements of Mr. Walsh, they can come forward and offer up an alternative point of view.
With your comment here, you have had an opportunity to express your viewpoint.
Thank you for your comment.