From the NY Daily News, Wednesday, November 14:

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Bensonhurst staple shuts doors

53-year-old catering hall, seen in 'GoodFellas,' closes; American Place clothing store moving in

By Denise Romano
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Oriental Manor, the Bensonhurst catering institution, has shut its doors.

The hall, which was featured in the Oscar-winning movie "GoodFellas" as the place where Henry and Karen Hill had their wedding reception, had been a neighborhood staple for 53 years.

The 86th St. building was sold a few months ago, and is just one of the old-time catering halls that closed this past year in southwest Brooklyn.

Members of the Lazzara family, the former owners, could not be reached, but a source said they had retired.

A sign on the building says the new owners will turn the famed catering hall into the clothing store American Place, whose Bay Ridge location already has angered residents.

It displayed piles of cheap clothing boxes outside the store.

"It's not a happy day," said Community Board 11 chairman Howard Feuer. "It's shocking to me that a store like this can find a customer base."

Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge) will meet with American Place owners tonight to discuss community concerns about the new location.

"They have to clean up their act in Bay Ridge before they can open in Bensonhurst," said Gentile spokesman Joseph Mancino.

The American Place in Bay Ridge was given sanitation violations for littering the sidewalk this month.

"It looks like they are selling rags," a neighbor said.

Bensonhurst residents said that there should be a higher-end clothing store in its place, like H&M.

"I consider what they are selling debris," Feuer said. "It's unbelievable."

American Place's owner could not be reached for comment.

Feuer said that if anything gets out of control, he will be in contact with the 62nd Precinct to make sure proper actions are taken.

"There are bus stops near that store which are lifelines for residents," he said, adding that with the store's reputation, the cleanliness of the stops may be compromised.

American Place is slated to open as soon as possible, Mancino said.

"There are good quality stores along 86th St.," Feuer said.

"It's a shame that this one has to come here."