A Failed Merger Becomes A Blessing for Stuyvesant

Most importantly, Roesch cautions, "Make the proper provisions in the contract. Provide a clause that clearly states that if after six months, things aren't working out, either party can back out."

It took 18 months for the Stuyvesant merger to "dissolve by default," says Roesch, explaining he was eventually "bought out" of the contract.