JuiceFix Juicery in the New Town shopping center closed in January, but now the business is being sued by its previous landlord.
Williamsburg Developers, a limited liability company, filed a lawsuit against the business on Sept. 24 for $31,870.89 in back-rent in addition to various other fees associated with court costs, according to documents filed in the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse.
The juice store originally signed a lease for the location in May 2017.
Williamsburg Developers accused the juice store closing in January 2019 without the landlord’s approval, according to the lawsuit. During the removal of the store’s equipment, Williamsburg Developers also accused the tenant of damaging the premises at a cost of $1,856.
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The landlord claimed in the lawsuit “reasonable efforts” were made to re-let the space but has not been successful. Williamsburg Developers accused JuiceFix of causing damages.
In addition, the suit states the tenant did not pay all of the rent and charges due to the landlord.
Owners of the juice store, Kalvin and Deborah Newkirk, did not immediately respond for comment.
This was the second business this year that Williamsburg Developers has taken legal action.
In July, Williamsburg Developers filed sued Chiangmai Thai Bistro, which had planned to open in 2019, but never did, according to WYDaily archives.
The suit alleged the bistro entered into a deed in 2018 but failed to pay all of the rent and charges to the landlord. As of July, the suit stated that the Bistro owed $24,881 in rent.
However, the owners, Derrick and Nathaphorn Snow, signed a lease through February 2029, which would bring their total balance of rent to $763,596.66. There is also a portion of the accelerated balance of rent for the time between July 2019 and February 2023 which totals to $284,940.62, according to the lawsuit.
The landlord asked for more than $1 million in rent and other charges from the business.
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Williamsburg Developers dropped that lawsuit in November, filing it as a “non-suit” order, meaning that while the plaintiff has dropped the suit, it can be filed again at a later time, according to the Virginia Legislative Information System.
Joseph Liberatore, an attorney for the bistro, declined to comment on the case.
Williamsburg Developers and the company’s attorney did not immediately respond for comment.
