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Business

Shopping center closes in Davidson, leaving tenants in the lurch

Sadler Square | Photo: Mecklenburg records

Nov. 4. By Donna Randazzo. Tenants in the Sadler Square shopping center in Davidson have closed their doors, some permanently, while others are moving to new locations.

Tenants include Our Town Cinemas Cafe and Taphouse, The Egg at Davidson, BK Custom Cleaners, Davidson Nail Spa, International Kitchen and Bath and The Beach Tanning and Beauty Spa.

They were told to close their doors and have everything out in 30 days, effective Oct. 31.

Piedmont Capital Real Estate, new owners of Sadler Square as of February, could not be reached for comment. They paid $6.1 million for the property.

Sadler Square is just west of the Davidson College campus

Unhappy tenants

“Communication is virtually nonexistent. They won’t meet in person, it’s like pulling teeth to get someone to respond,” stated Hope Sams, owner of The Beach Tanning and Beauty Spa.

After receiving the initial lease termination letter in late September, Sams and other tenants asked to set up meetings. They tried calling, emailing and sending certified letters from their attorneys, but got no response.

“I received what the new rent amount would be, but no real lease agreement. The only other thing we’ve received was an email stating all units needed to be cleared out before they put fencing up around the property,” stated Sams.

—The Egg at Davidson owners Robert and Eileen McCrary, who also own The Crazy Pig at 402 South Main St., are combining the two restaurants.

Robert McCrary

—After close to 30 years in business, BK Custom Cleaners is closing for good. Piedmont is not allowing the business to reopen with their cleaning equipment, which was an integral part of their business. Indeed, the revolving garment rack was built by owner Ben Son.

—Our Town Cinemas owners originally planned to reopen after renovations and expand from four to six screens, but that seems out of the question with rent more than doubling.

Quotable

“We’re doing what we can to get out of here, but some things we can’t move,” said Brian Tarle, owner of International Kitchen and Bath. “We’re taking whatever we can get out of here on short notice.”