The Plaza Suite

The Plaza Suite was a discotheque owned by Gambino crime family underboss Sammy Gravano in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Building History

The Plaza Suite was located at 2937 86th Street. The building was originally owned by four legitimate who formed a corporation called "Enjoy Yourself Incorporated" in 1979 and obtained a liquor license. Two of the businessmen become involved with silent partners, one was a made soldier named "Salty" from the Genovese crime family and "Vinnie Sicilian" a capo from the Colombo crime family. The two other shareholders brought in Sammy Gravano for "protection" and "support". For this, Gravano was given 50% interest in the discotheque.

When Gravano took over he became unhappy with what he considered sloppy management and muscled his way into the business and took over the entire operation but kept the original arrangement with Salty and Vinnie Sicilian.

The Plaza Suite

After Gravano took ownership of the disco he divided the ground floor of the building in half. Part was devoted to his construction headquarters, with a private office for himself and his brother-in-law Edward Garafola, and clerical staff. The other section contained a display space for a carpeting and hardwood flooring company Gravano had started to complement his various construction contracts On the second floor of the building was his discotheque The Plaza Suite. The disco was large and offered 5,000 square feet of space. The walls were burgundy and gray. By the front entrance was a long bar counter and banquettes surrounded the dance floor. In the back was a separate VIP designated lounge. Unlike his earlier night club ventures, Gravano now immersed in his construction business, was not able to be present at the disco every night. He fired the bouncers and installed his own men, Michael DeBatt and Thomas Carbonaro. His manager of The Plaza Suite was Joseph Skaggs. Gravano hired local girls as waitresses. After he took over The Plaza Suite it became one of the most popular discotheques in Brooklyn and had people lining up around the block to get in.

References

Underboss: Life In The Mafia by Peter Maas