Photo and Story by JOSHUA BURD • Staff Writer • December 21, 2008, The Home News Tribune
METUCHEN --A fire broke out at a
The occupants of the 2½-story home, between
Witnesses reported seeing flames come out of a second-floor window as heavy smoke billowed out of the entire structure at
Emergency responder vehicles still lined the street in front of the home at about 10 a.m. as firefighters, police and
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, though it did not appear to be suspicious, authorities said.
Sad story, and a lesson. Never invest money without a written agreement that has been reviewed by a knowledgeable attorney. Never become business partners with someone you are not already married to. Second one is from an accounting professor at Rutgers. Told a story to the class about a client who was partners with a lifelong friend. Friend/partner took out a big loan in the name of the partnership and then left the country with the money and the other guy's wife. Because the partners were jointly liable for the partnership's debts, the guy had to pay back the loan. Always wondered if that was a true story.
Word has it that due to a deal-gone-bad elsewhere, the owner fell onto such financial hardship that the he lost the Duchess too. Seems there was a gentlemans-agreement with a partner in another diner in another town. A lot of money was invested. That partner died - no contract had been signed - and so his nasty kids came and took over the whole place, leaving the Duchess owner hi and dry. Sad story.
Looks like the "plumbing repairs" mentioned on the sign hung on their door weeks ago didn't tell the whole story. We recently had dinner at the Plaza Diner on Rt. 27 in Edison and were served by a woman who worked at the Duchess until recently. She said she didn't know what happened, only that the place closed suddenly and she had no warning.
Anyone know what happened to the Duchess?
Updated article, more photos
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20081221/NEWS/81221009
let the conspriacy theories begin