ATLANTA — The owners of the popular Red Martini Lounge in Buckhead are reeling after what they describe as an unexpected and unlawful eviction from their building. They claim that they received no prior notice, despite consistently paying rent, and now face substantial financial losses.
According to Alcide Honore, the attorney representing the owners, the eviction took place while the matter was still under litigation. Honore stated that his clients were not in arrears (owning money that should have been paid earlier) and that there was more than $140,000 held in the court's registry. He emphasized the suddenness of the eviction, revealing that the owners' belongings were unceremoniously tossed into the street on Wednesday.
Video from the scene showed a crowd descending on the furniture and bottles of liquor left in the business' parking lot.
"They do not owe a dime," Honore told 11Alive on Thursday. "We want to set the record straight. This matter was still being litigated when this eviction took place."
Court documents indicate that the owners of Red Martini Lounge and the property owners, Ralph + Rita LLC, had been embroiled in a legal battle for months. Honore filed a motion on Wednesday morning in an attempt to halt the eviction, but the action was carried out regardless.
Local attorney Tom Solata, who is not involved in the case, told 11Alive that if the eviction is proven to be illegal, the owners of Red Martini Lounge could appeal the decision.
"The Court of Appeals could take it up, or they don't necessarily have to. It's in their discretion," Solata explained.
Despite multiple attempts, 11Alive was unable to secure a comment from the attorneys representing the building's owners. Meanwhile, the owners of Red Martini are left hoping they can recover their losses and resume operations.