Apr 9, 2009 7:49 am US/Eastern
Owner Living In Pizza Shop May Be Kicked Out
NASHUA, N.H. (WBZ) ―
-
-
James Gotzamanis owns his pizza shop building and is trying to live comfortably in its basement, but inspectors won't let him.
WBZ
A New Hampshire man on the brink of homelessness has moved into the basement of his business.
But now he's being told he can't live there because it's unsafe.
"Where am I supposed to live? In the car, on the street, go on welfare?" said James Gotzamanis, owner of Canal Street Pizza in Nashua.
Two months ago, Gotzamanis built a 17-by-17 bedroom in the basement of his restaurant.
It's complete with a bed, dresser, nightstand and closet.
What it doesn't have is a window, and that is why the city's health department and fire marshal say it's a safety risk, and he must move out.
"They gave me a summons to remove my bedding."
But Gotzamanis, a divorced father of two, has no where else to go.
His business is down 60-percent because few people have the money to eat out.
He can't afford rent for an apartment, so he figured he would live in the building he owns.
Regular customer, Jeffrey Coan says the city is being too tough on Gotzamanis.
"I think these people need to look at the times were going through right now," he said.
"So many people I know, friends are losing their jobs."
The city's Board of Health says the fire marshal is in charge of the investigation.
Nashua Fire Marshal Richard Wood said he could not comment on an open case.
As for Gotzamanis, he says he will stay until they force him out.
"We hear so much about how people are suffering; how they're losing homes and jobs. What I'm trying to do is survive."
What do you think?
Join the conversation in our
Conversation Nation blog.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments