Berky's closes after change of owners

The word "closed" appears at least eight times on the building, causing some displeasure among passers-by.

"It's definitely an eyesore," said Chris Arias, a former patron of Berky's, about the writing on the building, at 5769 E. Speedway.

The bar, which has been embroiled in disputes and several lawsuits within the past few years, was abruptly closed Dec. 15 by its current owner, Deborah Youngblood, said former general manager Brian "B.K." Kay.

"She came in and closed the place down, and said absolutely nothing to myself and my employees," Kay said.

Tucson police records show they were called to the bar that day.

Thomas Higgins, an attorney for Youngblood, said she ran into "an unbelievable string of problems," including dealing with unpaid taxes from a previous owner and difficulties with employees.

"The problems were overwhelming," Higgins said, adding: "She had had it."

Kay said he believes Youngblood was the graffiti artist who painted the bar's walls. Her attorney, Higgins, said he doesn't know if that's the case.

But Higgins said the property has also been subjected to other vandalism since the closing that is not Youngblood's fault, including a broken water line and defecation on the roof.

Youngblood bought the bar in August for $600,000 from a company managed by Joseph Torchia, a former partner in Berky's, according to information at the Pima County Recorder's Office.

Before that, the property was owned by the Evelyn Larriva Testamentary Trust, court documents say. In July, a representative of the property owner sued the then-owners of the bar, which included Torchia, for non- payment of rent.

The case ended with a settlement, and Torchia's firm, Archer Investments Co. LLC, bought the property for $325,000 shortly before selling it to Youngblood, according to court documents and information at the Recorder's Office.

Torchia did not return a call seeking comment.

Among the recent lawsuits involving Berky's is a suit filed in November against the previous owners for serving "excessive quantities of alcoholic beverages" to an employee who later struck and killed a bicycle rider while driving.

Last year, a former partner in the bar, Tracy Gordon, filed suit against Torchia for "damaging business practices," among other problems, court documents said.

In the last year, the bar has closed and reopened several times, said Arias, the former Berky's patron.

Ed Diamond, manager of a nearby Brake Masters, 5810 E. Speedway , also said the bar had closed and opened several times.

Arias said the bar is no longer "a comfortable place."

"Too many problems," he said.

Barry Berkson, who opened the bar in 1983 and sold it in 2004, said he suspects the bar closed because of "poor management."

"They don't know how to run a business," he said about the current owner.