3 small businesses being forced out of Bronx lease

Three Bronx businesses say they are being forced out of business after their landlord told them they are selling the property. George Katsmanis, the owner of Quality Cafe and Restaurant, one of the

News 12 Staff

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Dec 29, 2015, 10:13 PM

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Updated 3,304 days ago

Three Bronx businesses say they are being forced out of business after their landlord told them they are selling the property.

George Katsmanis, the owner of Quality Cafe and Restaurant, one of the businesses affected by the closure, says he is being forced out after 30 years.

"l'm losing everything, now I have to start all over, fresh again," he says.

Katsmanis says the landlord will not renew his lease, and they sold the building to TD Bank, which is moving in this March .

"I tried to stay all the way to the end of my lease. But he offered me nothing and just told us to leave," Katsmanis says.

Katsmanis is moving his business across the street. He is changing the name to "Quality Grill."

Mona's Eyebrow Threading and Steve's Convenience Store will also be forced out, according to the owners.

"We can't do anything about it. It's just corporate America taking over," they say.

The news comes at a time when Zaro's Bakery in the Parkchester section of the Bronx announced it is being forced out by high rent. It will be replaced by a Boston Market.

Many in the Pelham Bay neighborhood say they are worried about big businesses taking over the Bronx. Katsmanis says he is also worried about the future of mom and pop stores in the Bronx.

He says he hopes his new location will give him not only a fresh start, but a fresh perspective on what it's like to run a small business in the Bronx.