‘Ruined my life’: Portland business owners shocked by notice to vacate building

Businesses leasing space in a downtown Portland building were told suddenly and without explanation that they need to move out by the end of November.

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[@bulldaggerwatkins190]

If a property management company can charge you a lease break fee, you should be able to charge a property management company for a lease break.

[@1harrismccarty]

wouldn't that just be breach of contract?

[@microtyger]

​@@1harrismccartyBreaking a lease IS a breach of contract and because of that, there's almost always a hefty fee to pay by whoever breaks it. So if they would do that to him/her (of course they would) then why can't he/she charge them a fee? 🤔 I think finding an attorney would be a smart thing to do.. one that only charges if the client wins. 🤨

[@kettch777]

You can. It's called suing them for breach of contract.

[@Sam11747]

​@@1harrismccarty It's not necessarily a breach of contract unless the landlord committed promissory estoppel or misrepresentation. Short of an email from the landlord promising anything outside the lease agreement that was signed, it'll be unlikely they'll win in court. Just because the lease agreement states it's for three-years doesn't mean it's a promise to have the space for three-years. Lots of leases have sale of premises clauses that allow eviction if sold and given proper notice (typically 30, 60, or 90 days), which sounds like 90 days by the tattoo artist's eviction. If it's not in the lease agreement, then it could be a breach of contract. If you're lucky, you can negotiate an early relocation assistance and early termination compensation clause. I'm not agreeing with the evictions, but I'm just saying this is how it legally works.

[@DwyerGreen]

​@@Sam11747 agreed. Many landlords propose 30 day notice and businesses need to redline that (to 90 days perhaps) before signing or they're screwed.

[@Leg0z]

The company that owns the building is called The Downtown Development Group (DDG). They are a family of 4 or 5 brothers and some of the richest people in Portland. They own A LOT of buildings downtown. The company I worked for did consultant work for them for years and they were pretty much the only client I ever refused to work for because of how awful they were to interact with. Doesn't surprise me at all that they did this.

[@Bigfootbeliever2022]

Who are they? What is the last name?

[@roamnomo6333]

Eat the Rich

[@TheAlgomalo]

@@Bigfootbeliever2022The family name is Goodman. Ironic, as I highly doubt they are “Good Men”.

[@jdustan]

What POS people.. Figures, rich people don't give a fuq.

[@jimwile9313]

Oh man! These a holes! I worked for them through a temp agency. Tried to blame me for the network mess that they hired me to fix. Turned out that they were trying to get a huge wiring job done piecemeal. Was not impressed by the two owners I met. Greedy and nasty!

[@deanfirnatine7814]

They should be forced to pay that man the cost of the remaining 2 years and 9 months on his lease as compensation for breaking the lease agreement.

[@kimberlycoolidge5206]

He would have had to pay them if he did it to the owners of that building.

[@saythankyou111]

You know the owner would ruin his credit if it was the other way around 😏🇺🇸

[@queenjudine]

@@deanfirnatine7814 100

[@darrellhagan6124]

True but likely the owner(s) and management company already thought of that and and had a waiver written into the contract....

[@kevinostberg1729]

Hear, Hear!

[@zakbrown7859]

3 months in a 3 year lease, id sue!! Thats trash!!

[@bilcifer666]

i would absolutely sue the pants off them

[@dogofwar6769]

If they're being that closed lip about it whatever they're doing is going to be super unpopular.

[@edgarpoe517]

I bet it got sold off to foreign investors.

[@ryanreeves70]

You rent so long it feels like its yours but you have just been buying it for someone else.

[@kimberlycoolidge5206]

Sometimes there's no way out of that undertow.

[@karenarteaga1516]

But they’re forcing them to break a lease, which means those people should be charging the other ones who are forcing them to break it Fee and I hope it’s a hefty one!!

[@danielfiore8865]

Imagine paying off your property and your taxes keep jumping from $5K to $10K to $15K annually. Because the government says so.

[@autovilletv9661]

It has to do with money as everything does

[@lesliepropheter5040]

Anyone can sell their property to anyone, even from overseas. Maybe the insurance went up for the owner, the owner died, the building is about to fall down or blow up….are there apartments up above ? if so do those people have to move ….

[@arkheimra]

Just wait for the "luxury condos"

[@Kamandi1971]

for whhho? everyone leaving Portland unless its for the hom;less

[@saythankyou111]

Who is living in those three story skinny townhouses…they cost thousands and most people are broke from tax’s and gas and food?😔🇺🇸

[@Thewritingisonthewallforusall]

My thought too,but also 15 minutes.

[@kinvotime490]

You mean "low cost" housing aka tax dollar subsidized.

[@arkheimra]

@@kinvotime490 I would rather have tax subsidized housing than real estate companies buying up property and fixing rent even higher.

[@argonaut405]

How is that legal? If the you have a 3 year lease and the building owner can end it at any time, how does that make sense?

[@bilcifer666]

its probably in the small print that they can do it or something. i imagine even that should be illegal because its in bad faith

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Well, you better read your lease!!

[@danthesquirrel]

The tattoo shop guy said he was being asked to leave three months in to his three year lease? Anyone with a lease receiving an unfair eviction would get an attorney and have a judge stop it which leaves me wondering what is really going on here. The legacy of news is very lazy about these news snippets and not asking basic questions.

[@victoryforvictims3522]

ALL WE HAVE IS EACH OTHER !!!!!!

[@jamesfriend481]

There is probably a clause in the lease that allows the owners to break the agreement with no consequence.

[@gibbsrule9188]

Not everyone can afford to fight in court, aren't you privelaged to not be in need and on the offensive. I'm tired of these negating comments from people like you with nothing at stake.

[@betsyj59]

@@gibbsrule9188 Everyone in that building to band together to fight in court and find a lawyer who is personally committed to stopping corporate investor takeover and will charge low fees.

[@neilkurzman4907]

The legacy news is lazy? So you think the newer channels, actually our staff by hard hitting reporters. No, they watched the lazy reports and then give you their opinion of them. Don’t be ridiculous

[@queenjudine]

Way to keep business in Portland. Shame on this building owner. Karma!

[@a.w.cormier4355]

The landlord will surely replace these small business with something better like a la mota dispensary or starbucks

[@journeybrook9357]

Better nope..and I don't get tattoos or buy that kind of art. But the record store is heart beat needed .

[@DwyerGreen]

As others may have said, businesses need to read their lease BEFORE signing. Redline stuff you don't like, such as eviction clauses. Nearly all leases have these clauses, and the default language is 30 days notice. Redline it to what you can live with, or rue the day....

[@saintapathy]

Always hire a good commercial real estate attorney to go through your lease before signing. They cost an arm and a leg but always worth it.

[@justinfitzsimmons9635]

I wouldn't doubt that they are gonna turn those store fronts into expensive apartments and them giving no reason why they are being evicted is the reason they are being so hushed about it.

[@Azazel2024]

Thats because you lack intelligence. Or this is SF now which you voted for 🤗

[@yeahyou8416]

They need more space for illegal immigrants while we pay for it

[@methus57]

I do feel bad for those owners, but when negotiating a lease you have to FIGHT for YOUR OWN RIGHTS. Don't sign a one year lease if you wanna be there 3 years. Don't sign a 3 year lease without MASSIVE financial payouts by the landlord if they break it. You can't HOPE in negotiating. It's all about leverage.

[@oldman-zr2ru]

No landlord would sign a lease costing them money when they break it.

[@methus57]

Then you don’t sign it & you start your business somewhere else that offer a 3 year lease

[@thewebdiva5903]

What good are leases if they can be broken at any time?

[@davewinch7677]

If these business owners have a signed lease, they have certain rights. Might be too broke to get a good lawyer. Probably what the building owner is counting on.

[@kimberlycoolidge5206]

And that alone should be looked at and investigated.

[@Jeff-kp5ng]

I feel ya but it really isn’t. Contracts are to be fought in a court of law, it sucks but if you don’t have the means to hire a lawyer you probably didn’t have the means to try and start a business. It’s sad but it’s a fact of life. I would love everyone who did me wrong legally to get investigated but unfortunately civil matters are just that, civil matters.

[@loricrane5315]

Then find a college and ask for help from the law students. Ask the teacher who he might refer . Go outside the box. Rich people never expect that.

[@user-ux6nj2vt4z]

People blame the government. But it's the rich and the corporations that run this country

[@kimberlycoolidge5206]

Not to mention our own individual city leaders.

[@oldman-zr2ru]

The rich own the government, they are one and the same.

[@joycef8443]

@@kimberlycoolidge5206paid for by the above mentioned

[@mugwump242]

The 1906 building appears to be listed in the City's cultural & historic resource inventory as the "Exchange Bldg." I believe, if this is the case (and if state law is followed), any demolition/significant alteration proposal is supposed to trigger special City planning review and hearings.

[@TheSadistNat1on]

You know money can make it so they tear this down and put up new apartments for californians

[@mugwump242]

@@TheSadistNat1on Sadly, yes, I know. Big Money gets whatever it wants. That's why I added, "if state law is followed" (In many Oregon cities, this law isn't followed anymore. Or, it's 'fudged.' Councils make real estate deals behind closed doors with developers and historic preservation isn't a type of law the State gov prioritizes enforcing).

[@CHiZZoPs27]

Hopefully, the new council will have something to say about that.

[@rhondahankins4026]

How sad. I wish you all the best of luck. I wonder why they don’t have to honor a three year lease?

[@CHiZZoPs27]

The building owners should have to pay for and help find relocation for these businesses. Probably another private equity ownership group ruining the little guy. When will we put these sacks off money and excrement on notice in this state? No more buying up homes for investment!

[@nickie88ful]

This is heart breaking WTH!

[@paulawade1446]

Portland is dead. It has become a souless, pointless hole. Time to move on, there are other places to be.

[@mediabear]

Actually this is a promising sign that the intentional blighting of Portland is coming to an end.

[@Pdx616]

Yep, you get rid of 2nd Ave records and that's a big blow to our wonderful history. slowly chipping away at it...

[@oldman-zr2ru]

You voted for it. Please stay there so you don't poison the rest of the country.

[@goldenroux612]

Follow the money to those that benefit from the gentrification of your city. And if you are displaced, please don't come to Olympia. I cant afford my rent anymore.

[@culcune]

I always liked their city slogan, 'Keep Portland in Oregon'

[@preacherpdx5519]

Humanity moved out of Portland back in 2014. It is now a replacement city for San Fran

[@33iknow]

I literally left there in 2014. You are 100% correct.

[@blahblah8372]

Perfect and accurate observation.

[@Pdx616]

for those not from here, 2nd ave records is a Portland icon. This is unfortunate.

[@jerrylives2278]

That's just raw. Look at all that culture getting taken out in one swipe. 2nd Ave records is def a piece of Portland and I bought a ton of great vinyl in there. I feel for those folks who put their blood swear and tears into their businesses.

[@KJensenStudio]

My Grandmother always told me that if a situation takes place that seems to make no sense, you can bet there's a money reason behind it. For this situation, my guess is that this block has been marked for redevelopment. Such a shame, but Portland seems like it's been under a siege from within for some time now. It used to be a fun city to spend time and money in.

[@Brandon-wo2tz]

Hang in there, Portland! I sympathize with you. I believe changes are on the way. Even though you're reaping your own reality, in terms of who you voted for, I think things will turn around. Vote wisely

[@1harrismccarty]

I thought it was crime and homelessness forcing local businesses to close down and leave town.

[@shari9721]

He has a 3 yr lease , refuse to leave unless he is paid 1 yr of rent for breach of contract , loss of business , moving expenses etc . Even renting a business space you are still entitled to a certain amount of time notice .

[@Sam11747]

Sounds like he had an early termination due to sale clause and given proper notice with 90 days - so it wouldn't be a breach of contract in that case. Exception would be if his landlord made some wild promises in something that could be shown in court, like an email. Him staying there for a year demanding payment would likely end with his stuff being put in storage at his expense and him being arrested. I'm not agreeing with it, but just saying that's how the law works.

[@rodentcafeteria]

No one said anything about eviction and/or eviction notices, only that these shop owners were "asked" to leave. Is that how it works in Portland?

[@cindyfall8063]

Portland is not a wonderful place anymore.

[@dogofwar6769]

When was it? Moved there in '14. Moved over to Vancouver after about the 3rd time my care got broke into in a year. The place hasn't gotten any better.

[@TheSadistNat1on]

@@dogofwar6769 portland was home. this is isn't portland. this is a place for califoranians to buy up and change

[@Harkart59]

@@dogofwar6769 YOU MISSED OUT THEN.....

[@walterhorn5567]

2014? I’ve been here since 78.. your part of the crew that ruined it.

[@Kamandi1971]

been here 2 years this City is worse then seattle a nightmare

[@kristamonae]

This is so F**ked up 😢

[@landonewts]

Well, this sucks.

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

We weren't told if the businesses were being compensated to leave. More likely, the owner wants to turn it into a residential property.

[@MichaelJDan]

Theres corruptions there in Portland also in beucratic

[@FreeTimeMastermind]

"...were told suddenly" this is untrue. Unfortunate situation, but they were notified in advance, as required by law.

[@Thrashisback]

A 30 day notice with no explanation when you've ben leasing for 42 years and no problems is sudden

[@FreeTimeMastermind]

@@Thrashisback Wrong! They were given 90 days, as required by law. But they didn't bother reading it, just like you didn't bother looking it up. If people were quick to research and slow to open their mouth nearly every problem would vanish.

[@Jeremyho439]

The US Bank building has lot of spaces.

[@genocidemoose9293]

The management company must be from California.😒

[@troy.peters]

California, Portland, Seattle = all the same.

[@SammyandMonica]

I never heard of Harvey Milk st in Portland, we have been to the one in SF, where he was the mayor. we have been to that record shop, I thought it was on Burnside, so confusing.

[@dpayne1943]

To clarify, Harvey Milk was elected to the SF Board of Supervisors which included the Castro. He was known as the "Mayor of Castro Street". He was the first openly gay man elected to office in California. I suspect the street was named to honor that first. I remember the shocking day he and Mayor George Moscone were killed by Dan White.

[@daviddahl8186]

This is Stark Street. This is the name the city put on the street after most of the gay and lesbians businesses closed. Because Portland considers gay night life districts a thing of the past.

[@SammyandMonica]

@@daviddahl8186 They changed Stark to Harvey Milk? i feel like vomiting.

[@SammyandMonica]

@@dpayne1943 What does that have to do with Portland?

[@Pdx616]

@@SammyandMonicaPlease, don't vomit. Let me explain. It's to honor a gay rights leader fighting for people who can't. We also name streets after MLK, Rosa Parks and many others throughout the country. It's a good thing. They're good people.

[@mygrassisgreenerlawncare]

That sucks! That place is amazing and an icon

[@abecnovaofficial]

Power over money

[@garystalick2617]

There are a lot of missing pieces to this story. The limited information shared doesn't give a full picture of what's happening. More investigation needs to happen NOW. Then broadcast the rest of the story tonight.

[@donusmc1]

Has the building ownership changed? Out of state investors often buy older buildings and kick everyone out to bull doze and build new.

[@redbarchetta8782]

This is the kind of crud that pisses me off. LEAVE THEM WHERE THEY ARE OR GIVE THEM AID TO RELOCATE.

[@DEVanderbiltCecil]

Who is the owner? If this is mine, they can stay.

[@KingKatRider]

Ya know, half of our issues is how we treat each other in our communities. I mean how can you bitch about our government when we are the same with each other? Just what I see.

[@bradsterley9157]

Portland used to be a nice place its scary now step on a needle you my not be on the right side of the lawn

[@LostSoulsouthere]

I'll tell you why this is happening my buddy owns a donut shop and he was kicked out by the owner of the building he ended up renting the same spot out to the Starbucks for more money and a longer lease so somebody is going to move into this guy's place probably corporate and paying more money

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

That sux I used to buy CDs from them from 20yrs ago. They were the go to for my CD collections. This sux. Hope they find a new location that will be better.

[@nightstalkerck]

I'm confused what's the purpose of a lease, if the owners can break it, surly it's illegal.

[@aretnap3653]

Remember... To "Report" Whom Moves Into TheBuilding After TheBuilding Owner EVICTS EveryOne in 2024. (TheTattooGuy Should Sue For Breach of Contract!)

[@Dantanalicious]

Sadly, most of these business owners don’t even read their lease contracts or have it reviewed by an attorney. This IS the most important contract for your business. It is also the #1 reason businesses move or put their business up for sale. Over time these contracts strangle a business like a boa constrictor. They think they are working for themselves. NO, YOU ARE WORKING FOR THE LANDLORD!

[@librarynan4610]

Sounds like being told to leave Portland would be a blessing.

[@ntsejfamyaj]

The new Stark Tower location.

[@charliepiland3285]

Umm words have specific meaning….if someone ASKS you to do something, you DO NOT have to do it. When someone legally ORDERS/DEMANDS that you do something, you DO have to do it…or suffer legal repercussions.

[@usa2342]

New shelter for illegal immigrants?

[@Whatever-dv4zj]

you really need to get a life 🤣

[@VOTOG-ic6hm]

This is completely illegal.

[@raywebb5816]

Don't shut down another record store.

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

they do this til someone makes them stop. they have addresses too.

[@joesimons7387]

I find this a bit unusual.My bet the owners have new tenants coming that will pay a whole bunch more for the space.

[@stevenwalker4923]

Sounds like the property manager wants to get the building changed to a residential building. Luxury condos incomming.

[@lizhern9360]

It is a contract, no? Both parties need to honor it.

[@JamesAllmond]

WTF? 3 months into a 3 year lease? That's just down right dirty, beyond unethical. 42 Year tenant and you give them a month to move their business? Smells like rich folks wanting to redevelop to rent to other rich folks and make even more money. Jerks. Get ready, our entire country is about to be run by folks like that. WE ARE SCREWED.

[@tazmod7272]

Did Black Rock buy the property?

[@GrizzlyUrsusArctos]

Looks like the governor building doesn’t like the Arts

[@davidmichael4002]

Private Equity company is my guess. They have other plans for this site.

[@zakbrown7859]

Should be absolutely illegal to break a lease like that, with no consequences? Garbage landlords should be sued

[@dzanze3733]

Come on folks, let’s be real for a minute, it’s business. You are Tenants and the building Owner has decided to take a different direction, so unfortunately, it’s time to move somewhere else. The comment by one Tenant that she wouldn’t have signed a one-year lease if she knew she was going to have to move in a year…then why did you sign the lease in the first place?

[@kapuda9364]

That's not even the original location they can move again no?

[@yt650]

I would recommend that you never signed a one-year lease for a commercial piece of property. Even if after one year you can’t make it in business and you’re going to vacate the building, they’ll want to rent it to someone else and so you can negotiate leaving the property and letting them move on leasing to others. Obviously these people are in business doing things that they understand but they don’t understand the real estate market and leases. They should all get together and hire a good law firm and see where the chips fall.

[@Thrashisback]

A lot of places remain vacant because the landlord won't do any more than month to month or single year leases. Besides, the tattoo artist signed a 3 year lease and still got boned.

[@yt650]

@ Chances are he doesn’t have the funds to hire good counsel to make sure they live up to the lease arrangements . There could be a clause in there where they confess judgment. That might mean in some respects that the plaintive has to pay the defendant attorney fees. Many people jump into business not knowing what they’re doing and they are talented but they don’t understand business yet and that is a big yet.

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

If the leases are up... They have the right to ask them to leave.

[@Thrashisback]

The leases aren't up, but of course you didn't bother actually hearing the story.

[@hokaheynineteen]

Is there a violation of contract law here?

[@davidgrant5044]

Been in business that long and you're still paying someone else rent . Wow!

[@erickgruis106]

What business do you own and where is your owner-occupied property? I'd love to come and see the success story!

[@BamBusinessman]

Lol exactly ​@@erickgruis106

[@steveurbach3093]

That may work in the Boonies, where there are single structure businesses. Portland has been DENSE for over a Century. Businesses on the Ground floor, Residences (rental) above. It was already that way in the 1950's when my parents took us to visit my moms folks. This was common for many 'big' cities.

[@littlelostgirlmedia]

Heart breaking

[@marykelly8712]

Sue...your lease is your guarantee. As a side note....don't do ANY business in MULTNOMAH county!!

[@tinman3586]

Make Portland Great Again

[@davewinch7677]

Not going to happen anytime soon.

[@TinasCrazyLife]

File suit back

[@InkedCarpenter1776]

Ah, gotta love portland! Protecting criminals but not taxpayers.

[@PamelaTaylor]

THEYRE GONNA PUT UP CONDOS, OR BUY UP ALL THAT PROPER... AND BUILD HOMES

[@dakinechips]

Maybe the governor will have his building back.

[@handimanjay6642]

Claim squatter rights and force them to explain to a judge why.

[@hotttt28]

Lease ?

[@ToussaintPerrault]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

[@journeybrook9357]

Sad

[@stephennault1442]

No lease....

[@manuelferreira4345]

This happened to ancient arts tattoo in arcata

[@webstercat]

Who did they vote for? Who did the downtown development group vote for?

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

Downtown Development group owned by the Goodman family, one of the richest in Portland, owns the building. They are above the law (including their own leases) and can do whatever they want to peasants. Welcome to capitalism, the nicer word for oligarchy. Your life is nothing.

[@Thewritingisonthewallforusall]

Wow! That artist has beautiful art workings.

[@roberthance2412]

let me guess they are building a parking lot or low cost invader housing ?

[@relaxlooklisten2565]

Complete crap !!!

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

I've got over 100 albums for sale. Mostly Grateful Dead but a lot of Crosby Stills and nash, & a few Neil Young's! I bought them second hand just like these people, they're still in excellent shape most I've never played cuz I've got my favorites! Contact me if interested

[@joifire]

Fk that !! THEY GET PAID MASSIVE MONEY OWNERS !!! No fk don’t don’t !!

[@duotronic6451]

The legacy media format. News anchor hosts introducing a subject. On scene reporter repeats the subject. Interview an affected character. Blah format. Tired , old, done.

[@JK-br1mu]

Well, looks like change is coming to that part of the city again......just like when they renamed Stark St as "Harvey Milk St", as if he's relevant to the city or deserved it at all.

[@lastmanstanding5338]

Yeah, that’s Portland.

[@Thrashisback]

Honestly it's everywhere right now.

[@tamigreene2709]

They plan on asking for more money??

[@eats128]

Sad !!

[@natoratorbiz6738]

Aurora Josephson was my first girlfriend 1990!🤣 Use to shop all the time at 2nd records sonce 13! What a great place! Sad to ser it go😢