By:Larry Maier
Building Department cites illegal business
From the outside, the Sing Hing Kitchen at 2285 Babylon Turnpike looks like an ordinary Chinese take-out restaurant. But the Town of Hempstead Building Department recently issued three summonses to the business, one for operating an illegal social club.
Responding to a complaint regarding the business activities at the location, town code enforcement officers visited the restaurant, a.k.a. the Hella Social Club, on Tuesday, July 31 and again on Monday, Aug. 1, at which time they issued the summonses to the club's owner, Ioannis Parastatidis.
One summons was issued for operating a "social club" -- or place of public assemblage -- without proper permits. The other two summonses involved building code violations.
The Town of Hempstead also notified the Nassau County Police Department as enforcement agents found gambling materials, like playing cards and poker chips, on the premises.
Parastatidis appeared in the county's Second District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday, Aug. 21. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial date was set for October 15.
SH: Locals aware of club
Neighbors say they have known for a little over a year that the Babylon Turnpike establishment was no longer a take-out restaurant. They also say they believe some forms of gambling take place inside.
"All we know is that men play cards in there," said Frank Rizzi, who lives on Chestnut Street.
Another neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that most of the club's patrons are not from the neighborhood, though some locals do frequent the club.
None of the neighbors the Herald spoke with reported any problems or incidents with the club's owners or its patrons.
Parastatidis' attorney, William Cohn, said the club is nothing more than a gathering place, primarily for people of Greek heritage. "It's a private club and nothing terrible goes on in there," said Cohn, who compared it to a Knights of Columbus.
Prior to the trial date, Cohn said his client will be applying to the Town's Zoning Board for the proper social club permits. Parastatidis did not have permits because, "he didn't know he needed [them]," Cohn said.
