EUGENE REMM
EMM Group owners Mark Burnbaum and Eugene Remm are now tackling reality television. The New York nightlife moguls don’t seem to mind putting more on their plate in addition to their various and successful enterprises such as Abe & Arthur’s, Catch NYC, Lexington Brass, SL, Tenjune and The Chandelier Room.
Birnbaum and Remm will be co-producing a series called “Kings of New York” with MTV Europe host, Tim Kash. The series will follow young New Yorkers as they pursue careers in modeling, fashion, promotion and other professions.
EMM Group, of popular hotspots Abe & Arthur's, Catch, SL, and Lexington Brass, are facing a lawsuit after an investor claimed they misappropriated funds. The investor, Gregory Struck, is accusing Eugene Remm, Mark Birnbaum, and Michael Hirschtein of fraud and "breaching their respective fiduciary duties to their investors."
According to the lawsuit, in 2008 Struck invested 1 million in exchange for 13 shares during the groups venture of Abe & Arthur's. As the restaurant gained popularity Struck began receiving regular checks totaling $700,000 in the first year. As time went on the check amounts started to dwindle until eventually they stopped altogether in 2011-- coinciding with the time frame that plans for Catch were announced. Leaving Struck to believe they used profits from Abe & Arthur's to start another business instead of paying out to investors. Stuck also believes the group underhanded him by kicking him out of the company for "violating terms and conditions of his investor agreement" when he attempted to recruit an EMM employee for one of his own ventures. Even though he claims he made it clear to EMM that he planned on starting his own venues eventually.
He also claims the remainder of his investment, $300,000, was never returned as promised. Struck is seeking damages as well as compensation for the fair market value of Sutol. He is also asking for restoration as an investor in the company and demanding that a receiver replace Birnbaum and Remm as fiduciaries of the company.
As big fans of EMM Group, we hope this gets settled peacefully!
Psst.. we hear that EMM Group will be opening 'Catch' in Miami. After the success of the New York version, Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum will bring the seafood-club hybrid to the east coast's hottest getaway spot, South Beach. Miami has become an increasingly popular spot for New Yorker's to escape to over the past few years, making it the latest city nightlife impresarios wish to expand upon.
Late last year rumors swirled that EMM Group would be opening Abe & Arthur's at the James Royal Palm Hotel in 2012, however they reconsidered and decided to open Catch, citing "a lack of seafood-specific restaurant options in Miami, and a desire expressed by its residents for more social, shareable, city-style dining" as the reason.
EMM Group, consisting of nightlife "Kings" Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum (SL, Catch, Abe & Arthur's), have been given the green light for their proposed plans at 199 Bowery (formerly Crash Mansion) in the Lower East Side.
Despite worries from local residents that the venue would bring noise and crowds, the planned 18,000 square restaurant/nightclub spot was approved by the Community Board 3′s SLA committee and will make way for the duos first Lower East Side venture. The Asian/Fusion spot will feature a bakery that opens at 6am, headed by pastry chef Thiago Silva, with custom cakes and pastries to appeal to the morning crowd; further expanding on their previously night-time only clientele. Once the sun sets, the entrance leads to a larger restaurant featuring small, tapas-style plates, led by Top Chef winner Hung Huynh. Dine on the main floor or head downstairs for additional seating in a speakeasy-style atmosphere with live music.
When it comes to NYC nightlife, 5 years is a long time. In the fickle nightlife industry of New York City, EMM manages to stay on top with some of the best venues in town. In celebration of that great feat, Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum threw a grand bash last Friday night to ring in Tenjune's 5th anniversary.
Celebrity guests included Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Maxwell, and Lebron James just to name a few. DJ Runna and Swizz Beatz brought the beats while guests danced all night and morning (literally) thanks to Liquid Lightning energy drinks.
Summer is officially here and that means weekend Hamptons trips are in full swing. And it's about time. After a record-breaking winter, we're all ready to trade our wool coats for swim trunks, bikinis and flip-flops. Everyone, we're pleased to announce, the wait is over! The party has started.
So if you've been too busy trying to stay dry or longingly staring out the window wondering when you'd see the sun again, we have you covered. From what's new and hot, to what's returning in full glory -here's your guide to what's happening in the Hamptons this Summer!
Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm, the geniuses behind Tenjune, SL, and Abe and Arthurs, are bringing the party to the Hamptons for summer 2011. Along with Michael Hirtenstein and Top Chef's winner Hung Hyun, this new EMM Group club/restaurant is sure to be the hotspot in Montauk. The team tested the Lily waters a few Saturdays this past summer but now they've taken the plunge into ownership. The new venue has yet to be named, but there's no doubt that a slew of models, celebs, and all of the pretty people will be in attendance. Known for its indoor/outdoor design with massive VIP-lounge and patio terrace featuring bed-style cabanas, Lily Pond is already buzzed from a successfully star studded season this past summer, and it will only get bigger from here.
Last week, I finally met Justin Ross Lee at the Murray Hill W Hotel, after several weeks of back-and-forth re-scheduling as I tried to pin down some time with the elusive Facebook persona. It was perhaps the most surreal interview I have conducted to date. While researching to prepare for the interview, my impression of Justin was one of pretension and self-importance, a man who spent his existence whoring himself out for the limelight in any way possible.
I guess you could say I am a creature of habit. I get into the office, swearing it’s going to be a quiet day, followed by a quiet evening. Then the first thing that happens is I read about Superdive’s new Tuesday night extravaganza, and the next thing I know, it’s Wednesday, I’m hung over, and I want a quiet day followed by a quiet night. I don’t want to even think about bars. I don’t want to go out drinking. I mean it…
Then someone comes up to me and whispers ‘Simyone is open’, and something inside of me dies. How can I possibly resist the newest addition to Abe & Arthur's already opulent environment? When everybody else in the Meat Packing District is going vertical (Boom Boom Room, Plunge), evil genius and site owner Eugene Remm knows that the basement is where all the bad things come to life. Carpeted staircases descend into a dark world of decadence, with mirrored bricks, eclectic art work, and truly, truly beautiful staff. If the address of 409 W 14th seems familiar to you, it’s because Lotus used to hold court here. Gone are the days of heady thumping music and over-packed crowds where you might, if your lucky, see someone who may or may not have been Paris Hilton. Simyone classifies itself as a lounge bar - with cave-like back rooms and little dark corners – but there is a suitably sized dance floor to dance to the poignantly remixed MJ tributes….
Tomorrow, I will have a quiet night in… maybe…
A blast from Eugene Remm explains:
“EMM Group is pleased to announce our expansion into the hotel-lounge business with the opening of The Chandelier Room and The Living Room Bar at the W Hoboken on March 27th, 2009. The 4,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue will reinvent the concept of the traditional hotel lounge. Providing guests and residents alike with an expansive river view, the New York skyline serves as the ultimate backdrop as after work cocktails transition to an ideal night out. The Chandelier Room will set a new standard for great energy, great music and great service in the incredibly diverse city of Hoboken, NJ.”
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