Rick’s Steaks Loses Legal Battle

Hey, while nobody was paying attention, a judge issued a ruling on May 9 that effectively ended Rick’s Steaks’ battle to stay in the Reading Terminal Market. Sadness! KYW 1060 gets the quote from Rick Olivieri himself:

“That’s getting a little too legal for me, you might want to contact my attorney about that.”

Oh. Ha ha, they actually broadcast that quote on the radio several times! Rick’s Steaks was originally supposed to be out of the market by June 2007, so he bought himself about a year.

Judge’s Ruling a Setback for Rick’s Steaks [KYW 1060]

Sign You’ve Been Watching The Local News Too Much

Waking up this morning…

KYW: “Two top leaders will meet today to try to finally solve–”
Me: “Oh, it must be Rick’s Steaks and the Reading Terminal.”
KYW:

Eh, I don’t think either are going to be solved anytime soon.

Rick’s Olivieri To Chain Self To Grill

Cheesesteak controversies have long been a part of Philadelphia, from when John Kerry asked for a cheesesteak with dead puppies on it to when Joe Vento started offering dead Mexican immigrant cheesesteak. Well, okay, there’s those two, and that’s all I can think of, because on the Internet memory goes back about 10 seconds. (You’re lucky I remember who John Kerry is.)

But now, the current cheesesteak brouhaha is over Rick’s Philly Steaks, the Reading Terminal Market’s venerable institution that was kicked out after yesterday. Or, rather, not, since despite being kicked out of the market, owner Rick Olivieri is staying! He’s also suing the market, who have retained Richard Freaking Sprague to defend them.

The market says they’re telling Olivieri he’s at the market illegally, and that he needs to leave so Invincible star Tony Luke can move in. “I plan to be here tomorrow and for the next 25 years,” Olivieri told the Daily News‘ Catherine Lucey.

I can only assume the Reading Terminal will eventually force the cops to drag Olivieri out kicking and screaming, while investigators put giant vats of Cheez Whiz into evidence.

Olivieri still says he’s staying; Market board: Don’t come back [Daily News]

Newly-Formed Group To Rally At Reading Terminal

It’s only a few weeks until Rick’s Philly Steaks is kicked out of the Reading Terminal. And, as such, the merchants and friends of Rick Oliveri have scheduled a good old fashioned rally on Saturday.

There will be, um, a news conference at 10 a.m. Saturday, which will include (presumably) Rick Oliveri, past and present market merchants and, of course, members of FORM, Friends of Rick and the Market. Yes, there is already a group with an acronym defending Rick from eviction.

And, of course, t-shirts, hats and buttons will be sold to aid in Rick’s legal defense. Clearly, this is the most important rally against injustice in Philadelphia since the Second Continental Congress. Godspeed.

Reading Terminal merchants rally behind Rick’s [Inquirer]
July 5: Something Is Rotten In The Market Of Reading Terminal

Something Is Rotten In The Market Of Reading Terminal

Nowadays, the only real cheesesteak news is how Joey Vento of Geno’s has singlehandedly destroyed the immigration bill, saving America from the Mexican menace. But there’s a new cheesesteak controversy: Rick’s Steaks has been kicked out of Reading Terminal.

Rick’s owner Rick Oliveri, who managed to supplant Geno’s as one of the Ashburn Alley steak vendors in Citizens Bank Park this season, says he’s being kicked out because, as president of the merchants’ association, negotiated longer hours and a few other things. Oliveri doesn’t say who’s angry — management? other vendors? — but he does say something is up: “I think it’s retaliation. It’s a concern for merchants, and as president, to make sure merchants are getting the best bang for the dollar at the Reading Terminal Market.”

Tony Luke’s will be replacing Rick’s at Reading Terminal after Rick’s vacates by July 31. I think we all know who’s to blame: The Pennsylvania Dutch. They’re always up to no good!

Long-Time Reading Terminal Merchant Gets the Boot [KYW 1060]
Mind your language at Geno’s [BBC]

Quickies: Don’t call him D-Mac

• A bit of housekeeping: Yes, the links are darker now. Easier to read? And in case you’re wondering, re the essay yesterday: My plan for now is to do a few per week, say three. But we’ll see where that leads.

• Ahh, Jerry Mondesire says that Donovan McNabb doesn’t care about black people. He says that McNabb changed from a running quarterback to a passer and that made him a worse player and it was race-related. Um, okay. All I have to say: Football-wise, running quarterbacks haven’t quite done so well, have they? Or did I forget the six Super Bowls Fran Tarkenton and Michael Vick have won? [Attytood]

• I didn’t know there was a list like this, and it’s kind of amusing: Santa Claus tops Forbes‘ Fictional 15. Not that he’s not real. Oh snap! Somehow I think Forbes just crushed the dreams of a million kids. [Life, Family at al]

• If you’re into the whole “stuffing your face with good food thing,” The Reading Terminal Market is now open on Sundays. Mmm… cookies. [Metroblogging Philadelphia via dragonballyee]

• Being fans of local community newspapers and the pointless stories contained within — and a media nerd also — I was excited to read this, even though it’s from England: Shopping cart found 30 minutes from store. Oh, man. That really might be the most boring story in the history of newspapers. [Londonist]