Inwood's La Marina To Reopen Under New Owner, Report Says

INWOOD, NY — Inwood's troubled party spot La Marina has been cleared to reopen under a new ownership group after a lengthy bankruptcy proceeding, according to reports.

A state bankruptcy judge ruled in favor of an agreement to transfer ownership of the Parks Department concession from the entity known as the Manhattan River Group to Jimmy Goldman, the founder of the Brother Jimmy's chain of restaurants, THE CITY first reported. Creditors of the Manhattan River Group — who are owed more than $600,000 for canceled events, unpaid rent and other bills — signed off on the deal at the end of July.

Goldman has been linked to a takeover of La Marina for months after appearing alongside Manhattan River Group's Josh Rosen at a February Community Board 12 committee meeting to pitch the plan. The restaurateur said Monday that he expects his new eatery at the La Marina site on the Dyckman Street waterfront to be open in a matter of weeks, THE CITY reported.

The city is happy with the state judge's ruling to approve the bankruptcy agreement, Parks Department officials said.

"We are pleased the matter has been resolved, and look forward to the future operation of the concession, and the marina," Parks Department spokeswoman Crystal Howard said in a statement.

The new Brother Jimmy's restaurant at the La Marina site won't be able to serve alcohol because of an outstanding liquor license suspension issued by the State Liquor Authority after La Marina was shut down in December. Goldman also said that the eatery will not host ticketed events, will not offer valet parking and will have strict hours on when music can be played — addressing many complaints Inwood residents had about La Marina.

La Marina was shut down in December following the arrest of a bar manager for narcotics trafficking and numerous violations of state liquor laws, state officials said. Christian Mendez, 33, was arrested outside the Dyckman Street business in November and charged with seven counts of the criminal sale of a controlled substance. Mendez is accused of using La Marina as a drug den and sold large quantities of cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana to undercover officers at the business.

La Marina opened in 2012 after its owners struck a deal in 2009 with the city to open the business on land owned by the city Parks Department. Business owners pay the city to operate on what was once public parkland located where Inwood Hill Park meets Fort Tryon Park along the Hudson River.

Brother Jimmy's also operates a Murray Hill location and also operates in Connecticut, Maryland and Florida. The restaurant's menu focuses on southern-style BBQ dishes and specialty cocktails.