Sazz Nasimi, a lawyer at Moray & Agnew who represents sub-landlord 260 Latrobe Mercator, said he was puzzled by the decision to suddenly close a group of small businesses.
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“It is a great shame that the landlord has chosen to take the steps that it has … This is one of the more bizarre steps taken by a landlord in my close to 20 years of experience in retail leasing disputes,” Nasimi said.
A legal notice displayed on each storefront by representatives for the landlord said that the sub-landlord had breached the terms of their lease by failing to pay expenses, and that the building had been re-entered and possessed.
Piyaphanee, who also owns Thai eatery Soi 38, said R.Harn was up to date with its rental payments. Frustrated that his business remains closed, he is now considering legal action.
“We’d like our lease back. The sub-landlord and the head landlord’s argument is none of our concern. It’s got nothing to do with us at all,” Piyaphanee said.
“We’ve been biting the bullet for the past two years, [hoping] that when the State Library Station opens that business will pick up. La Trobe Street has been closed for nearly two years … that area has been a dead town.”
It is unclear when the remainder of the restaurants will be able to reopen for business. Credit: Alex Coppel
The legal notice also singled out ramen eatery Kikanbo, saying that the store had carried out “noxious, noisome or offensive business” on the premises, and “cause[d] or allow[ed] offensive smells, odours, and smoke from cooking Japanese food and ramen”.
Kikanbo owner Gilbert Kam disagreed with these statements, and said the business had been working hard to provide a positive dining experience since it opened in late June.
“That’s someone’s opinion … We have staff working eight to 10 hours a day … There’s customers every day, coming in. I don’t see anyone [complaining],” Kam said.
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