Surf Club Owner Suing Demolition Firm, Wants Building Torn Down

The owner of Joey Harrison's Surf Club in the township's Ortley Beach section is suing a North Jersey demolition firm that, he says, was supposed to tear the oceanfront building down last summer.

Joseph J. Barcellona Jr., known as Joey Harrison, said T. Fiore Demolition, of Newark, is leasing the property on which the nightclub – which was mostly destroyed during Superstorm Sandy – is built. Demolition and cleanup, he said, was supposed to be completed by Aug. 2013.

With the devastated building still standing in tatters along the oceanfront and neighbors growing concerned over its safety, a lawsuit was recently filed against Fiore to comply with the agreement and demolish the building.

"Teddy Fiore is leasing the property and was supposed to have it cleaned up last August," a statement from Barcellona said. "Ted Fiore continues to fail to comply with his contractual obligations. Joey Harrison would never leave the property in such condition, and feels terrible that it is in such a disgraceful state. Joey Harrison is taking legal action against Ted Fiore for that, as well as non payment, 'etc.,'" the statement said.

A voicemail left for Fiore seeking comment was not returned.

Barcellona said his family intends to rebuild the nightclub, which opened in 1973. A billboard on Route 35 featuring the logos of both Surf Club and T. Fiore advertises that the club will be rebuilt.