Montco Restaurant Owner Says He Was Blindsided by Shopping Center's Eviction Notice
By Brad Segall
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (CBS) -- The owner of a Montgomery County eatery says he will fight to keep the doors of his business open in a battle that could end up in court.
John Graff has been fighting to keep the Corner Café, in the Huntingdon Valley Shopping Center, open since he was told last May that his lease would be terminated.
Graff says Kravco, the company that owns the center, originally told him his restaurant would be secure, so he invested more than $100,000 on new equipment and décor.
But now, Graff says, Kravco is redeveloping the center and has served him with an eviction notice. He says his future and the future of his employees is cloudy.
"We're a well-known, older community," he tells KYW Newsradio. "They love us over there. I built this place up to where it is today, and all the money I invested into it on their promises with them saying, 'Hey you're going to do (even) better.' "
Graff has hired an attorney, and it appears this showdown is headed to a courtroom. He's also taken to social media to garner support from area residents and customers.
There are rumors Kravco is looking at national chains, with Graff saying they're pushing out the mom-and-pops.
