A Riverdale rehabilitation and massage therapy spa is facing possible eviction after not being able to pay rent.
The Whole You Spa on Riverdale Avenue has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic and has not been given the go-ahead to reopen by the state.
"Eighteen years, 12,000 clientele and people need us,” says owner Mila Kochanova.
Kochanova says she received a letter on Aug. 4 from her landlord to pay up--or in 15 days the lights will go out.
"I was paralyzed. I couldn't move. I didn't know what to do. I was shocked,” said Kochanova.
The letter states that the spa failed to pay rent from Oct. 1, 2019 to August 2020. However, payment records show that the spa stopped paying rent in March--when it was forced to close due to the pandemic - but did not pay a rent increase that started in October.
Now, Kochanova tells News 12 to pay back $29,000 or to be evicted is an ultimatum that would put a heavy burden on her wallet.
"It's heartbreaking because this place I opened not for money. I opened from my heart, from my soul,” said Kochanova.
Under an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, no COVID-related commercial evictions can happen before Sept. 20. That could be extended again if Albany takes action.