Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Chelsea Wine store owner looks dapper in court appearance for allegedly stealing vintages from own shop

    By Lisa Fickenscher, Kyle Schnitzer,

    11 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4GGl5a_0uDvkLX600

    The dapper-dressed owner of the Chelsea Wine store made his second appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday after being arrested for allegedly stealing vintages from his own posh shop.

    Michael Gancarz, who was cuffed last Father’s Day at the popular wine store at 60 Ninth Ave., wore a bespoke striped blue suit as he dodged questions from The Post’s photographer about the bizarre case.

    He faces charges for burglary, petit larceny and trespassing, according to court records.

    Gancarz was released without bail and is next scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 14.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zItDV_0uDvkLX600
    Michael Gancarz at Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday. Steven Hirsch

    Chelsea Wine, located across from the Chelsea Market, no longer belongs to Gancarz and his wife Amelia, according to the criminal complaint.

    Wine fans may have dinosaurs to thank after 60M-year-old grape fossil seeds found

    The new owner of the store, Bobby Khorram, told the arresting police officer that Gancarz did not have permission or authority to take items from the store and entered it despite it being locked up, the complaint said.

    It remains unclear what items were taken from the store.

    Gancarz and his lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

    Khorram did not comment.

    An embarrassing number of wine drinkers believe rosé is made by mixing red and white

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mV24n_0uDvkLX600
    Gancarz did not respond to a New York Post photographer, who spotted him at the court. Steven Hirsch

    The 25 year-old business was once located in the Chelsea Market. The couple assumed ownership of it from Amelia’s father, Daniel Barteluce, an architect who designed luxury retail stores around the world.

    Gancarz made headlines last year when customers from his wine storage business in Midtown – Chelsea Wine Storage – began complaining that they couldn’t get access to their pricey vintages, as The Post exclusively reported.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16zcPG_0uDvkLX600
    Cheslea Wine Co. store is located across the street from the Chelsea Market, where it was once located. William Farrington

    Longtime customers couldn’t get anyone on the phone and when they visited the storage facility – which moved out of its former location in the Chelsea Market without informing customers – they were rebuffed.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR METRO DAILY NEWSLETTER

    Photos obtained by The Post last year showed hundreds of cardboard boxes sitting on wooden pallets in the unfinished basement in Midtown.

    The storage business was quietly moved to the basement of a former TGI Friday’s off of Times Square at 777 Seventh Ave.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0CKfrl_0uDvkLX600
    The wine storage business was moved from Chelsea Market to the basement of a former TGI Fridays restaurant off of Times Square. Obtained by NY Post

    “With no response, I am afraid my wines in storage are gone for good,” a CWS customer posted on Yelp on Oct. 23.

    Another posted, “I cannot get them to answer emails or phone calls, and I am extremely worried about my collection…some of my most prized bottles somehow no longer appear in my inventory.”

    Gancarz’s has the same landlord at both the store and the storage facility – Michael Shah – who sued him for not paying his rent and initiated eviction proceedings.

    The New York State Liquor Authority initiated an investigation last year.

    For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local Manhattan, NY newsLocal Manhattan, NY
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0