Why is a Confederate flag flying outside Paris Inn in Wayne?

Philip DeVencentis | NorthJersey

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A Confederate battle flag was the last thing Donna Brooks expected to see in Wayne on her ride back from the grocery store.

But, on Monday afternoon, one was gently flapping in the breeze outside the modest home she and her family rent on Alps Road.

The rebel flag, regarded by some as a symbol of hate, was tethered to a flag pole on the property of Paris Inn, the banquet hall that was sold at auction in April. The traditional white metal flag pole most often found outside schools, is erected on the south end of the former restaurant's property, nearest to Brooks' home.

"I don't know why someone would do that," said Brooks, 67, as she unloaded bags of groceries from the trunk of her car.

Brooks said she believed there was an American flag flying on the pole as recently as Thursday.

The 2.1-acre property on which Paris Inn sits, at 1292 Alps Road, was sold at a bank-ordered auction for $990,000 to a restaurateur, who plans to reopen the well-known venue. The original banquet hall, which had been owned by the Petritsis family since 1973, abruptly closed in March 2017.

The new owner's identity is unknown.

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Max Spann, president and chief executive officer of Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co. – the firm that auctioned off the property – did not return a call. A search on a website, maintained by the Passaic County Clerk's Office, found no deed recorded for the property since the auction.

Mayor Christopher Vergano did not return a call.

Detective Lt. Christian Wittig said he had not heard about the flag. He said he was curious to see it, but that there was little police could do to take it down, especially because no complaint or report of trespassing was filed.

Staff Photographer Danielle Parhizkaran contributed to this article.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com