Five Towns Mini Golf and Batting Range faces state eviction

Once again Five Towns Mini Golf and Batting Range in Lawrence is facing eviction as the nearly 45-year-old business received a July 8 letter from the New York State Department of Transportation claiming nonpayment of at least $26,000 in rent.

Marty Rosen, 80, who owns the seasonal business with his son Matt has operated eight months out of the year and under a state-issued property use and occupancy permit since 1978. 

Last October, the Rosens received notice from the New York State Department of Transportation that the monthly rent would increase from $6,400 to $11,700 — an 82 percent increase — as of Jan. 1, 2022.

Similarly, in December 2015, the Rosens’ company, Three and Two Enterprises Inc., was hit with a 160 percent rent increase, from $4,750 to $12,435, reflecting the most recent DOT appraisal of the land’s value.

After 18 months of wrangling and an independent appraiser’s study of similar properties, the DOT instead raised the rent by 35 percent, to $6,412.50 per month beginning in May 2017. The business has seen five different increases over the last 45 years, Rosen said. He is hoping to reason with the DOT to prevent another massive rent increase. 

Though the increase went into effect at the beginning of this year, Rosen continued paying the former monthly rent of $6,400. Because of this, according to a letter from the DOT sent on July 8, the debts, including this month’s charges, interest and late fees, add up to $39,249.

“Bottom line, the increase is too much,” Rosen said, adding that he relies on a salary and won't be able to pay his bills if the business closes. 

If the increase forces the business to close, the DOT would be taking a staple away from the community, Rosen said. 

“In this environment today — where people don't socialize, children don't socialize, it's all done with their cell phones, texting and this and that — this is one of the very, very few places where a family could come down, have some fun, and interact with each other and with the other customers that are on the premises while they're playing. And this has gone on for 45 years. Why does the state want to force us out of business?”

The DOT’s only interest is money, yet it claims there are no plans for the property, Rosen said, adding that the government favors big businesses.

The matter was addressed in the Inwood Lawrence Community News Facebook group, where group members expressed disappointment about the business struggling under increased rent.  

“The story is they raised his rent by 82%,” Jackie Quiros posted in the group. “He can’t keep up which is a thousand Percent understandable and was totally done in order to get him out that location to begin with.

While some Facebook group posters supported the eviction notice, agreeing that Rosen should pay his debts, others were scared the community could lose a special piece of Lawrence. People also suspected that the DOT increased rent to run the business out and use the property for something else.

The people that use the business came when they were children and now bring their own children and grandchildren, Rosen said. It is also a popular spot for schools, camps and groups of adults with disabilities.

Addressing the possible eviction Leah Hinken wrote: “Hope Not!! That place is a five towns staple!! So many great childhood memories of that place!!!!”