WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. July 25, 2007: This week the Corner Nook, the diner on the corner of the City Center entrance and Main Street, which observers estimate has been making windfall profits from serving the construction trades daily the last six years while City Center and now 221 Main Street have been under construction, and the F & J Deli are in court before Justice Barbara Leak, as the two firms have been served with eviction notices by Cappelli Enterprises and refused to vacate the premises. The matter was adjourned to August 8.

Goodbye Nook! The Corner Nook and F&J Deli block as it appeared in March 2002 at the height of City Center construction. The little restaurant has been feasting on the construction trade for six years. As reported by WPCNR three months ago Louis Cappelli had announced plans to evict the restaurant and the delicatessen in April of this year to build affordable housing.

Cappelli Enterprises issued the following statement on the eviction process Wednesday morning:

From Cappelli Enterprises:

On Monday, July 2, we began eviction proceedings against the owners of Corner Nook and F&J Delicatessen whose month-to-month leases were terminated on June 30, 2007. Both tenants were sent termination notices over a month ago and never responded. After the premises are vacated, the building will be torn down to construct a new building at 240 Main Street, which we will use to comply with a portion of the city’s affordable housing requirement for LC Main, LLC and LC White Plains, LLC as was required by the city of White Plains.

The tenants in question have been fully aware for several years that the building they occupy would be removed to make way for new housing.  As is often the case in situations where a building is planned for demolition, tenants are given the option of signing short-term leases that let them continue to use the space with the clear understanding that once a demolition date is scheduled, their leases will be terminated and they must vacate the premises.  That has been the case with respect to this building and the two tenants in question.

Regrettably, because they are now resisting our request to vacate the premises so that we can fulfill a part of our affordable housing obligation to the city, we have been left with no choice but to turn to the courts to address the eviction notices.  We remain hopeful that the matter can be resolved amicably, but are fully prepared to continue the court proceeding as necessary.