Spamps in Conshohocken shutting down
"I put my heart and soul into this, not to mention my money," Mike Spampinato said. "My pockets were not deep enough."
After nearly eight years, Mike Spampinato says Sunday, June 15 will be last call at Spamps, his Conshohocken bar-restaurant.
A note on Spamps' Facebook encourages customers to come by Sunday "to drink us dry and say goodbye."
Spampinato, a seasoned restaurateur before he opened Spamps (16 E. First Ave.), cited the economy and competition. "So many restauarants opened after I did. The market is saturated." He mentioned not only restaurants around the corner on Fayette Street, but the revival of Plymouth Meeting Mall and its chain restaurants, Redstone Grill, California Pizza Kitchen and P.F. Chang's.
"I put my heart and soul into this, not to mention my money," Spampinato said. "My pockets were not deep enough."
Court records tell a sad story.
Among other judgments, the IRS filed two tax liens against Spamps Inc., totaling about $117,000. Spampinato said he would deal with it.
There's also an issue with its liquor license. The Liquor Control Board says in April 2012, its Bureau of Licensing objected to the renewal of the license for the licensing period beginning May 1, 2012, based on one adjudicated citation and about 17 incidents including fights, visibly intoxicated patrons, disorderly conduct and loud music.
An administrative hearing was held Nov. 5, 2013. Two months later, the board refused the renewal of the license. Spamps filed an appeal in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and was allowed to operate. There's a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 22, 2014.