WICHITA — It looks like there’s more to the Olive Tree Bistro story than the Toubia sisters are telling.
According to a lawyer who represents the landlords for the Olive Tree Bistro and Chelsea’s Bar and Grill, the restaurants are being evicted.
“We filed an eviction petition . . . a week ago,” says Jeff Kennedy of Martin Pringle. “They’re not paying their rent.”
Kennedy says Latour Management, which owns the restaurants and banquet facility at 29th and Rock, is more than $60,000 behind in rent.
“In January, that’s when we started having problems with them paying their rent on a timely basis,” he says.
Latour president Joumana Toubia says there are problems with the condition of the building.
Kennedy says some of the property condition issues Latour has raised are nonissues, such as moisture problems that occurred during roof repairs. He says those have been corrected.
As for some of the other issues, Kennedy says, “The management company was perfectly willing to resolve them, but they would not pay their rent.”
He says: “Anytime you get into a situation like this, somebody is going to look for excuses why they’re not paying their rent.”
The restaurants are open for now.
“That’s something that we’re talking about,” Kennedy says.
It’s not clear when they will close or where they may reopen.
22 Comments
This is bad news. Don’t eat there often, but man their food is great.
Does the reporting of “Breaking News” of this nature really serve any useful and positive purpose to the Wichita community? The effect of this “gossipy” level of news reporting is to further undermine another employer in our community who is trying to survive and maintain jobs and keep thier doors open in this challenging economy.
“Gossipy?” Are you new to town? This is why we read Carrie’s column.
After additional thought and consideration, I completely retract my earlier post. Thanks.
That’s too bad. That family has brought wonderful food to Wichita. I hope it will be resolved. They could try and move into the Eaton Hotel. Wichita does not want to lose this family.
God help me, I’m gonna defend Carrie on this one… If there really is a court action, then this goes beyond “gossipy” reporting and is reporting of actual news. I’d actually like to hear more from both sides on the issues with the building. I think there may be some more of a story there… but, as much as I put pressure on Carrie about some of her stories, I have to say this one is on the mark.
Just pay your damn rent and stop crying!
There’s always another side to the story. It will be interesting to see whose story changes from here on out.
What would you have them do if they are strapped for cash to pay rent…go to robbing Banks, Convenience and Liquor stores, or maybe even a McDonald’s or two? I might feel differently had the story mentioned if the employee’s and other creditor’s are being paid. Such sure would put a different slant on the situation then.
Used to LOVE the grilled salmon with lobster sauce at Chelsea’s, and a bottomless basket of cheese croissants, a couple of glasses of Chardonnay. Last time we were there both were…lacking.
Too bad.
Great humor, JLW … what a concept. Upper-end restauranteurs robbing fast food places to pay their rent. LOL! Hey … wasn’t their just an article a little earlier about a Subway getting robbed? Anyway, I hope Chelsea’s and Olive Tree make it. I’ve really enjoyed their food and service in the past and hope to continue in the future. Besides, it’s just not fun reading about other’s troubles. It just kind of adds to a depressing atmosphere in Wichita these days.
I know they have not treated their employees well, many have gone on to bigger better things and some not. They lost good chefs before , because they are so hard headed.
don’t know carrie at all, new to this column, but she is paid by the eagle so I know she is a leftist, femi-nazi , so what she says is worthless.
Roman:
Since you are new to the column, I personally will forgive. I respect free speech but your comment is nothing but name calling. Not constructive. Please try again.
Thanks.
>What would you have them do if they are strapped for cash to pay rent<
How about vacate the facility so they can rent to someone else?
I hope the Olive Tree opens back up. That was the first restaurant my parents took me as a kid to teach me etiquette in a nice dining setting. I didn’t like the food as a child, but grew to love it.
The Toubia family is almost single-handedly responsible for bringing fine dining to Wichita. The Olive Tree has set a standard for good service and great food that few here have met, much less exceeded. Antoine and his family have relentlessly pursued the American dream and in the process seen both success and failure. This is another step in their process of evolution. I hope they are able to continue to do business. This city would be the poorer if the Olive Tree closes.
If we don’t support local businesses, all we will have left are the chains, and that would be terribly boring.
Roman… You are WAY out of line. Now, keep in mind, I am the first to criticize Carrie’s work when she does a poor job of it. However, I am very careful to never let it get personal.
Comment on the news, fine. Comment on the reporting, fine (at least in my book). Start calling names and just being mean, that’s over the line.
Sorry, man. That’s just TOO much.
Antoine taught them everything they know but not everything HE knew. HE was the one to build the ‘empire’. Unfortunately, not enough talent to keep it going. Very poor business decisions since he passed. They are the source of their own problems.
It’s not “gossip” if it’s public record.
Too bad Carrie Rengers isn’t a real reporter that would actually be smart enough to get the whole story.
The story could definately use some development.