Name:	James Herrera, Monterey Herald
Date:	Sunday August 7, 2016
Subject:	Unexpected midnight closure.
Message:	Marina >> Mortimer’s Casino, a 77-year-old gaming establishment in Marina, unexpectedly closed its doors at midnight Friday, according to sources close to the business. By Saturday, a moving truck was seen outside the card room’s doors. But there is already talk of bringing it back under new ownership. Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado said he received a text message from the manager of the club on Saturday morning informing him of the closure. The text contained no reason for the closure. Located at 3100 Del Monte Blvd., Mortimer’s shares a building with a bar and restaurant, which are still open. Since 1938 the card room has offered locals and visitors “the best gaming experience imaginable,” according to its website. “I think it’s just sad,” said Frank Calamia, general manager of the Marina Club — the city’s other card room, across the street from Mortimer’s. “At one time they employed 30 people. ... We’re trying to find room for some of them.” Calamia cited a 5 percent game room tax on gross receipts as the probable cause for Mortimer’s closure. He said he warned before the tax was passed by Marina voters in 2013 that it would not work for two card rooms. At the time, the city estimated the tax would generate $175,000 a year. Mortimer’s closure will have ramifications not just for the city but for the people who worked there. According to an employee who did not wish to be identified, Friday was payday so most of the employees did get paid. But some did not, and it was not clear if the checks included all the pay the workers had coming to them. And they would still like to know why it closed without warning. “We heard that (Monday) and we did confirm the business is closed down,” said Eddie Rodriguez, Marina’s police chief. “We did not get it from management or ownership. ... It did not come officially.” According to the California Gambling Control Commission website, Mortimer’s is owned by Mark E. Williamson, Marylee H. Sakas, Pamela Leslie Neu and Willis Lee Hanna. “It’s my understanding that they moved all the equipment and furniture out over the weekend,” Rodriguez said. The police chief said he oversees the permitting of the card rooms at the local level and that they have state permits that dictate proper operating and security procedures, which his officers check on periodically. Rodriguez said he was to meet with the owner of the bar and the property manager of the building Tuesday afternoon to talk about their concerns and how to secure the property now that the card room management has left. Advertisement According to Calamia, people who played at Mortimer’s are coming into the Marina Club and wondering what to do with their chips. One player, who did not want his name used, said he would often play at both card rooms and stay where his luck was good. “But I can’t anymore.” The Marina Club has expanded its floor space in preparation for three more tables. Calamia said they will be available for blackjack, poker, pai-gow and baccarat, which is popular with Chinese tourists, whose numbers are increasing. “We’ll play whatever the public wants.” Calamia said he plans to meet with the police chief to talk about what comes next for Mortimer’s. “We are interested in taking over the card room,” Calamia said. “We can open the doors and keep it viable.” Calamia knows it is early but “I want to get the inside track.” Calamia said it would be up to officials whether to allow two licenses to be held by one owner in the same city. The managers of Mortimer’s Casino were unavailable for comment by press time. James Herrera can be reached at 726-4344. ~http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20150929/NEWS/150929777 ~

This message has no followups.

  This is the last thread.   Previous thread

This is the last message.   Previous message by date

Mortimers Home (Message Index)