rising rent already closed Most famous were the music shops that extended to West 48th Street – and which were frequented by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones.
But now, left with limited options, Roberto Winds – one of the last nearby music stores in the neighborhood that has withstood the test of time for nearly 40 years – has been ousted.
Known as a place for woodwind instruments, repairs and rehearsal space, the shop was located at 149 W. 46th St.—until an eviction notice moved them to 39th Street, according to the real deal,
But the music store’s owner, Robert Romo, isn’t going out without a fight — filing a lawsuit this week against landlord Montague-Lee Limited Partnership, alleging they did so by prematurely terminating the agreement without warning months ago. Violated the terms of his own lease. ,
Roberto’s Winds initially signed a commercial lease in 2013, which was extended to October 2022 with a five-year extension option. But as the pandemic struck, the store suffered losses like most retail, and it was unable to pay rent from April 2020 until December of that year.
Roberto’s tried to pay off the debt after receiving $300,000 from New York’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, but the owner refused to take the money even after taking advantage of his own federal PPP loan, legal documents obtained by TRD show. .
The music store is now seeking $2 million in damages.
An attorney for the business told the outlet, “This is a classic example of a landlord using their relatively strong bargaining position to force a tenant out.”