I’ve seen quite a few money laundering fronts like this. One was even in a building where I worked — a hair salon that was open sporadic hours and never had any customers.

Also, when I had to be in NJ for a work engagement one time, I walked into a restaurant near my hotel and saw a bunch of sketchy-looking but well-dressed dudes hanging around. I noticed there were no other customers, nodded at the sketchy guys and walked right on out. Obvious front. I believe they were Russian, though, not Italian.

I didn’t feel in danger, and I am sure someone would’ve made me some kind of food. But it wouldn’t have been worth a damn most likely. So I went elsewhere.