Tropical Nights, 1991.
Here Are The Facts
You Be The Judge
I was told several times I did not invest any money in the company.
At the beginning of this relationship when I was approached by my business partner and we decided to go forward, I was running a restaurant at that time. Eight to ten thousand dollars from that restaurant in stocks, pots and pans, and ten thousand dollars cash from a friend, Rupert was used to help start up the current location. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars or possibly more estimated for Tropical Nights name. I was the only person who knew the present location was available, I was at that location before with a different individual which I invested cash and labour of a value of over fifty thousand dollars, I knew the owner and the landlord knew of my capabilities, so he waived fifty thousand dollars which he initially wanted for the place. The place had a valid liquor license and the estimated cost for a liquor license for a place of that size would be anywhere from fifty to a hundred thousand dollars, which any experience restauranteur would know. The wait for a liquor license is 3-5 months which could have cost the owners more, however we were able to start business immediately.
Over 50 years of existence of the restaurant it was not set up to do high volumes, but due to my experience in the business for over 30 years as a restaurateur and consultant I was able to rearrange everything from front to back of the restaurant to do the volume that we are doing now which is over two and a half million dollars annually. None of the owners who lack the experience were capable of that, the value for this is over fifty thousand dollars for a period of six weeks for Consultant fees and Labour which was over six hundred hours. I was the only one who had a smart serve and years of experience serving alcohol which was the only reason why the liquor license was transferred to our name. Also, being in this business for years, the contacts I have thorough the beer company I was able to obtained twenty-five thousand dollars or more in products. Keep in mind, they had no knowledge of a restaurant business and there must be a value for them to have learned from me. Also, due to my experience and reputation I was always able to find experienced chefs, train and delegate wait-staff and all other employees; which also carries a value. I estimate this to be over four hundred and fifty thousand dollars total. In addition, the company owes me back pay, shares and dividends. I separated from these people over a year and a half ago yet they continue to use my name Tropical Nights. So again, who in the right mind with any business sense would say I invested no money in the company, have any normal human do the math and deem this true.
Why do some people who never had any experience in restaurant business believe they can spend three months with an experience restaurateur like myself and think they do not need me anymore? It is like spending three months with a professional soccer player and believe you can play just as good as he can. How ludicrous is this?
One of my Brothers who reminds me so much of my father still has investments in Tropical Nights. He is one of the reasons I will not give up, he put his trust in me and I will not let him down.
I have been in this country for over forty years. I have never heard in the history our community of someone taking someone else’s name and use it proudly. Is this not identity theft? Everyone I know of choose their own unique identity. The décor and concept is 90% Nizam Ally Tropical Nights, so how can some one go in there and make it their own. The worst part of this is stealing something which belongs to my four children who made so much sacrifice.
LIST OF ISSUES
Think of the Injustice
For the past three and a half years since Tropical Nights opened at Morningside and Sheppard, while I was there I have only spent one night away from the business which I went fishing. So far, the other two owners have been away on trips and vacations more than eighteen times. Even though I was injured at work I still went in and did my duties while they were out bar hopping, golfing and partying.
They had no knowledge of the business, they came to me to invest, I used my family name, Tropical Nights which has over twenty-six years of reputation and tremendous value, now that they have learned the business they are trying to strip me of my value and assets. Because of Nizam Ally, the popularity and reputation of Tropical Nights, the last thirteen months just before I left, the company’s revenue for that period was over two and a half million dollars which I have proof of, from which I received no profits. Somehow, they choose to take control of all the money just when the company started to make profits, not before. Prior to that I had to find any which way to make the business stay afloat. They are all well off financially, I have nothing and now they are taking away bread from the less fortunate which includes but not limited to, two senior citizens and five minor children.
Mental Stress
My livelihood has been taken away from me. Almost every time I go to sleep I am dreaming about my business which has been a big part of my life since I started saving for it, over forty years ago. I'm having thoughts that disturb me a lot and scares me for my family and I.
My children who were very young when I started this business made so much sacrifice. This career I choose took a lot of my time away from them while growing up. It bothers me so much when my eldest son can't go to the restaurant which they made so much sacrifice for and my youngest son who wants to go to Tropical Nights for his birthday and his mom couldn't take him. Every time when we pass by he would ask, "daddy can we go to our restaurant", it breaks my heart to have to say no to him and at times even makes me cry. Tropical Nights belongs to them not anyone else, I am sure most people would agree. These are just a few things that bothers me daily. I can not seem to get it out of my head completely. Right now, I don't have a home, and this is all due to the situation with my business. I don't have an income since I was bullied out of my business, How can I justify to my children spending most of my time away from them for the business and now must tell them its no longer ours?
Bullying and Intimidation
When I first met my business partner he was not yet married. I mentioned to him I have a problem with spouse getting involved in the business, I was guaranteed this will not happen. As a matter of fact, she was even sitting in at one of the meetings when I told him that and her exact words at the time was "He don't let anyone get involved in his business". As adults and mature people we should honour our words. Days later after we started the project she started getting involved, e.g. the painting of the place. I had the colours in mind which I know will be suitable for a tropical atmosphere, she was telling me what colour paint I should and shouldn't use. From then on it slowly got worst.
My experience in this business for over 30 years; is what they bought in to. Many times they will take me to his office/boardroom and she was the one who talked the most and was the loudest. I felt very intimidated whenever we went to his office. I recall one time it was all of them against me, she made sure she arranged the seating in a lawyer's format, She choose to sit directly in front of me, attack me for most of the evening and accused of me of stealing. On a separate occasion, she was the one who said I made sexual advances towards female staff, which she have no evidence or no one to back her upon. These are very serious accusations. None one of them will like for this to happen to them especially when it's false. Just people trying to be vindictive to have things their way. One would think when someone works for a lawyer they would be more understanding and helpful. This is the same person that will threaten customers saying "you don’t know who you are dealing with and don’t push my buttons". For over thirty years of me being in this type of business I have never talked to a customer in that manner. She would always reference to me that she works for the best law firm in Canada. I feel this was her way to intimidate and threaten me. These are a few examples of many incidents. I believe all of this was intentionally done to make me uncomfortable and leave.