Olga’s Kitchen restaurant in St. Clair Square mall settled a lawsuit alleging it was two months behind on rent for $157,161.26.
St. Clair Square Limited Partnership suit against Olga’s Kitchen Inc., doing business as Olga’s Kitchen, and Olga’s Kitchen of St. Clair Square, Inc. last September.
According to the complaint, Olga’s Kitchen, a Michigan-based business, entered into a rental contract for a space in St. Clair Square in May 2003, with an option of extending the contract to January 2015.
However, Olga’s Kitchen of St. Clair Square allegedly sublet the space from the original tenant, and the landlord alleges it was not aware of the sublet agreement. St. Clair Square claims Olga’s Kitchen failed to pay rent for July and August, totaling more than $42,000.
Because of the contract extension and the alleged default on the leas, St. Clair Square contends Olga’s Kitchen owes more than $410,000, including interest and late fees.
St. Clair Square requested to be awarded the amount owed plus legal costs and to be given possession of the restaurant space in question.
The parties reached their judgment agreement on Feb. 10. The defendants have until April 10 to pay the entire sum of $157,161.26.
Prior to the settlement, Olga’s Kitchen denied the allegations against it in its Jan. 12 answer. It claimed the plaintiff failed to provide the proper notices required under the lease.
Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot presided over the case.
David O. Kreuter of Kreuter & Gordon in Clayton, Mo., represents St. Clair Square.
Peter D. Kerth and Sarah Vatterott of Jenkins & Kling in St. Louis represent the defendants.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-627
Olga’s Kitchen reaches $157,161 agreement with St. Clair Square over lease default
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