EDWARDSVILLE - An East Alton business that was forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic and then allegedly abandoned the property is being sued by the EastGate Plaza property owners for unpaid rent.
EG Plaza, LLC filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against One Nation Nutrition LLC East Alton and Daniel Wood, alleging breach of contract.
According to the lawsuit, on Aug. 1, 2019, the plaintiff and defendants entered into a lease agreement for a commercial property in which EG Plaza served as the landlord to the defendants. According to the contract, monthly rent payments were due beginning Sept. 16, 2019, for a term lasting five years. Section 8 of the lease called for rent to be paid in the amount of $1,384.50. EG Plaza alleges that beginning April 16, 2020, the defendants failed to make a rent payment.
During that time, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all "non-essential" businesses to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
EG Plaza claims additional payments were received later in 2020, but One Nation Nutrition never brought payments current after April 2020.
The plaintiff claims the defendant abandoned the property in October 2020, causing EG Plaza to regain possession. The plaintiff claims that as of March 8, 2022, the defendants owe approximately $26,032.60 in past due rent and charges. EG Plaza states that on Dec. 6, 2021, a written notice of default under the lease agreement and demand for payment in full was sent to the defendant by the plaintiff's counsel. One Nation Nutrition has allegedly failed to make any additional payments to the plaintiff.
EG Plaza further claims the full amount owed by the defendant includes past rent, feature rent payable, attorney fees and other costs, expenses and interest in excess of $67,567.60.
The plaintiff seeks a sum of $67,567.60. It is represented by Colin C. Clark of Weinheimer Opel Law Firm PC in Glen Carbon.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-000298