The owners of a Brooklyn supermarket with close ties to the Gambino crime family are looking for $4 million in tax breaks to build a new condominium and grocery store.
Tapps Supermarkets currently runs a Key Food at 575 Grand Street in Williamsburg, where it has applied for tax exemptions to build a six-story mixed-use building, the New York Daily News reported. Tapps, which described itself as a “family-owned” operation, has been owned by Pasquale (Patsy) Conte, a captain in John Gotti’s crime syndicate, who has served 10 years in prison for racketeering and conspiring to murder a construction contractor in 1990. Conte had a 23.9 percent stake in Tapps, according to federal court records.
It’s unclear if he still owns part of Tapps, which his son — who has never been accused of being involved with the mob — also owns. Pasquale Conte Jr.’s name is on the application for tax breaks under a program to get supermarkets in underserved communities. The application says the project would generate $6.28 million in direct and indirect taxes.
Plans call for building 118,000 square feet of condo space and 98,000 square feet of affordable housing above a new supermarket. Demolition is slated for next month.
The Economic Development Corporation said Tappas met the requirements for a public hearing, scheduled for today. The agency is still doing due diligence on the firm. Conte Jr. and Tapps’ lawyer did not respond to requests for comment. [NYDN] — E.B. Solomont