TL/DR –
Tres Leches Café is battling in court to stay in its current location after receiving a sudden eviction notice from the landlord, who had previously engaged in discussions about renewing the lease. Café owner José E.T. Rivera has sued the landlord alleging breach of lease and a failure to carry out necessary repairs. The landlord argues that the lease expired in August 2021, and that Rivera owes $40,500 in increased rent, despite Rivera signing an extension through to August 2024.
Tres Leches Café’s Legal Battle to Keep Location
Tres Leches Café, a treasured establishment situated at 17th Avenue and Van Buren Street, is in court fighting to keep its location. Since its inception in 2018, the café has been a popular coffee shop and bakery, but it received a sudden eviction notice from its landlord in late November.
Owner José E.T. Rivera, who has been in talks about renewing his lease since March, was taken aback by the sudden eviction notice. He says the property was listed for sale and rent in June despite ongoing discussions with the property owner.
Rivera has had a lease since August 2018 and had renewed it to extend through August 2024. His repeated attempts to contact the property owner, Otilia Diaz, after their positive meeting in March have proven unsuccessful. He is now suing Diaz for lease breach and asking for lease extension enforcement.
The property is also now up for sale or lease at $8,500 per month. The lawsuit alleges that Diaz failed to promptly fix leaks and faulty HVAC units, thus breaching the lease agreement. Rivera further claims his rights to purchase the building first, as stipulated in the contract, were not respected.
Rivera is determined to keep Tres Leches Café operational. Open seven days a week, it offers customers an authentic Mexican coffee shop experience. The civil suit’s progress will shape the café’s future.
Tres Leches Cafe Location
1714 W. Van Buren St.
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