Defaulted on rent to Sansone Group since November 2005
By Chris King
Of the St. Louis American
In trying to rally the community behind London & Sons’ impending eviction from its site in the former Northland Shopping Center this week, Dale London admitted to being “embarrassed.”
“It’s not my style,” London said. “It’s not my family’s style. We like to settle matters behind closed doors.”
Closed doors may face customers of the wing house at Lucas & Hunt and West Florissant by the end of the month, if the effort staged by the London family, attorney Donnell Smith, and London & Sons employees and supporters don’t influence developer Sansone Group, which is engaged in construction of what is to become Buzz Westfall’s Plaza on the Boulevard.
According to London, his family’s business and Sansone Group are locked in counter-suits. He said Sansone sued first for eviction, possession and settlement of back rent (lapsed since November 2005) then London & Sons countered with the claim that Sansone Group damaged its profits through ongoing construction work on the site.
“We never had a problem paying rent (before),” London said. “We did not anticipate the disastrous effect that the redevelopment project to Northland Shopping Center would have on our business. It has severely halted traffic flow to our store and resulted in tremendous cash flow losses.”
Jim Sansone of Sansone Group said, “We are suing for unlawful detainer. He’s staying in the space without paying any rent, so he has to be evicted. He hasn’t paid rent since last year. We need to proceed with this development.”
Sansone confirmed that eviction was set for the end of May. He also confirmed a counter-suit of $2.5 million had been filed. “We’ll have to defend that accordingly,” Sansone said. “The important thing is our commitments to our major tenants.”
Sansone said the development would include “in excess of 350,000 feet of new space. We have 90 percent pre-leased tenants, many of them new to North County. Target and Schnucks are opening this fall.”
According to their attorney, Donnell Smith, London & Sons currently has a 10-year lease with two five-year options. Smith said the London family strongly desires to negotiate a plan that will allow their business to remain a tenant, with an anticipated upswing in business once the mall renovations are completed.
“I hope we can come to the table and settle this thing,” London said.
“When the new mall opens in November with Schnucks, Target and many other major tenants, we believe that customer traffic should be tremendous and London and Sons Wing House should thrive.”
Sanson said, “We warned tenants there would be a lot of construction, and rent at a minimum would be doubled. London & Sons agreed to stay, agreed to pay rent, agreed to make improvements to the building, which was a requirement.
“The new rent was not to begin until July 2006. Shortly after they signed the agreement, they defaulted on the old rent. Since November, they failed to make a single payment. They are in default over $40,000 and over $20,000 in past taxes.”
London said, “My wife and co-owner, Hildred, is here with me to save our businesses for our sons and grandchildren.”
Sansone said, “I’m sorry Mr. London and his group decided not to abide by the agreement they signed. I’m not going to let that stop this development. Unfortunately, we have to evict London & Sons for the progress of the North Side.”
London & Sons also operates a wing house in the city of St. Louis at 1311 N. Grand Blvd. Both locations remain open for business at this time. London & Sons has been in business for nearly 43 years.
The next rally to save the former Northland property is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, at the Sansone Property at the corner of New Halls Ferry Road and Lindbergh Boulevard.
