Hamburger Mary's

[geeman68]

I got some information.  The landlord didn't pay the taxes on the property for 2 years thus he had to release it back to the lender which is a private individual.  That person wanted to renegotiate the lease terms which were very unfavorable but to the point I think was wanting HM's to leave so they could open their own restaurant (which I will not go to). 

HM is looking for alternatives but most likely will have to rehab and reopen elsewhere.  UGH!!!

[trailerkid]

Then, ideally, HM's would find a new place nearby to rennovate, and someone would come in willing to pay higher rent at the old location due to the deck area?  Just trying to find the silver lining... that building has endured a series of odd situations over the last 5 years.

Daddy's?

part of the dilemma of having an extremely stagnant development picture downtown for office and retail is that whenever stuff like this happens where you need to move quickly or expand...there are usually only 0-3 potential options.

[ignatius]

Isn't HM based in SF?  If company owned, I don't seem them looking for a new location and would leave KC.  If it's a locally owned franchise, perhaps they'll find a new location.  Doesn't make sense though that the new owner would kick out a reasonably successful tenant.  

[kcjak]

It'll be hard to find a location with a deck that's comparable to the current place. Very sad for Eric and everyone who spent so much time and money getting Mary's up and running. It's tough for a restaurant/bar to make money if they have to keep spending money fixing a new place up. If they have to relocate, do they have to go through the whole liquor license process again too?

[geeman68]

Isn't HM based in SF?  If company owned, I don't seem them looking for a new location and would leave KC.  If it's a locally owned franchise, perhaps they'll find a new location.  Doesn't make sense though that the new owner would kick out a reasonably successful tenant.  

Its not that, from what I'm being told.  The original lender wanted to renegotiate the lease terms with HM but with some very bad clauses and terms.  HM believes that they want to open their own restaurant.  Eric actually wanted to buy the building but ran into a road block when they discovered it was an individual and not a bank.

[KCPowercat]

Hm is a local franchise owned by martini corner peeps. Maybe they should take the old db?

[trailerkid]

Hm is a local franchise owned by martini corner peeps. Maybe they should take the old db?

Weren't there issues trying to get a new liquor license at that location for some reason?

I'd actually like to see them go to the Martini Corner/Union Hill/Dutch Hill/Longfellow/Dutch Hill area. Maybe get more of a "scene" going down there...

[KCPowercat]

I think they are a great crossroads cornerstone bar.

[ColumbusParkian]

I fear that any location will be a disappointment compared to where they're at now. That place just seems PERFECT. That patio in the summer is so much fun! Hopefully they can work something out.

[elextendo]

Doesn't Ralf own this building who owned Smokin Joes? And if that's the case he bought Johns upper Deck.. And if that's the case...... Well. Ya know. I'd really hate to see this bar leave the XRDS it is a good anchor and always pleased to see the support they get at night when the rest of the area is DEAD.

[DaveKCMO]

what about the Caliente space?  (or is something in there now?)  it's already garishly-colored too!

it is currently the hemingway gallery.

[cknab1]

Hm is a local franchise owned by martini corner peeps. Maybe they should take the old db?

this indicates to me that it is based elsewhere.
http://www.hamburgermarys.com/marysmen/

[KCPowercat]

I wasn't saying the concept owner is here, just the franchisee is local.

http://www.pitch.com/2010-03-11/restaur ... y-burgers/

[KC Sporting Life]

I can't figure out what is worse, landlords chasing out tenants or business owners signing leases that allows for such flexibility/power on the landlords part.  Is this normal?  I have no experience with this and maybe it's common practice.  I'm thinking Peachtree, the Westport church, now Hamburger Mary...

No way this is normal, at least it shouldn't be.  We went through several months of tedious negotiations to make sure everyone was happy with the lease and to make sure we're protected.  Our building is currently for sale, but if someone buys it they will be subject to our lease, which runs 7 years.  They won't be able to jack up the rent or kick us out.  This is actually a bonus for a potential new owner, as it's guaranteed income. 

This sucks though.  I've also always loved that building, it's in a great location with a fantastic deck.  I really thought HM was here to stay.  I hope they find another spot here in the Crossroads.  But where does this leave that building? 

[aknowledgeableperson]

No way this is normal, at least it shouldn't be.  We went through several months of tedious negotiations to make sure everyone was happy with the lease and to make sure we're protected.  Our building is currently for sale, but if someone buys it they will be subject to our lease, which runs 7 years.  They won't be able to jack up the rent or kick us out.  This is actually a bonus for a potential new owner, as it's guaranteed income. 

Don't know the particulars in this case but if the landowner was behind in property taxes he verylikely was behind in other payments.  In that case it could go through bankruptcy and the lender secured ownership.  And bankruptcy can void any and all rental agreements.

[FangKC]

I can think of some places they could move that might already be set up for a restaurant.  Didn't the Hereford House run Prime Rib Grill close that was in the Paddy O'Quigley's space?  That might be an option.

The other space is the Flo's Cabaret space. Isn't it closing due to Flo not being able to get an extended liquor license?

Outside of Downtown, they could also move into the Mama's space at 39th and Southwest Trafficway.

[aknowledgeableperson]

The other space is the Flo's Cabaret space. Isn't it closing due to Flo not being able to get an extended liquor license?

I am under the impression that a liquor license is not transferable from one location to another.  Don't know the reason for not able to get the extended license but those conditions would also apply to HM.

[KCPowercat]

He said nothing of transferring a liquor license.

[loftguy]

Don't know the particulars in this case but if the landowner was behind in property taxes he verylikely was behind in other payments.  In that case it could go through bankruptcy and the lender secured ownership.  And bankruptcy can void any and all rental agreements.

I believe you are mistaken in this assessment.  Bankruptcy can relieve a bankrupt tenant from rental obligations, but I am not aware of an example determining that a tenants lease can be voided as result of property owner bankruptcy. 

[dangerboy]

I believe you are mistaken in this assessment.  Bankruptcy can relieve a bankrupt tenant from rental obligations, but I am not aware of an example determining that a tenants lease can be voided as result of property owner bankruptcy. 

Actually I think it is possible for a tenant to get booted out when the bank forecloses on the landlord.  In the residential market this was becoming a problem with renters getting put out on the street when the bank seized a property from a delinquent landlord.  Missouri recently passed a new law to address this situation, but I don't if it applies to commercial tenants.