Thursday, April 03, 2014

GREENHILL LOCKS DOWN BLACKFINN AGAINST TRESPASSERS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Greenhill Realty, the owner of the building that housed BlackFinn up until this week, has locked down the building. Signs have been posted to discourage anyone who would attempt to enter the now-vacant nightclub. Such signage is somewhat unusual for Bethesda. I recall the ousted ownership of Plaza del Sol on St. Elmo Avenue complaining they were locked out of the building by the landlord. But usually, you don't see signs in the windows like this around downtown Bethesda.

Taken with the end of the month having just passed, it does suggest that the rent was not paid, and the owner(s) may have been locked out as a result. A person familiar with the ownership told me rising rent had exceeded revenue for the restaurant/bar. Everything is frozen in time inside, just as it was left at the close of business on BlackFinn's last evening of operation. Obviously, whatever decor, materials and equipment that belong to the owner(s) - well, you can expect they'd want that back.

The locksmith sign indicates a concern by the landlord that someone might even try to dupe a locksmith into opening the doors without authorization from Greenhill.





12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Greenhill = Worst Landlord in Bethesda.

That's 5 tenants that they've lost or kicked out in the last few months.

Anonymous said...

Can you name the 5 please? Do you know if they honeored their leases?

Anonymous said...

Kraze Burger, Red Tomato, Blackfinn, Annie's Bistro, and BCC Automotive.

Plus Fresh Grill and the Dance Studio a few years back.

My guess is that the leases were honored but good landlords work with their tenants to keep them in place. Of course there is a fine line between working with a tenant and making a profit but good landlords figure out how to make it work without such significant turnover.

Anonymous said...

Red Tomatoe decided to close not because the building was falling down. Kraze burger has no parking, B-CC auto is still operating out of the guys garagge at his house, fresh grill was not the fault of the land lord it was the fault of the builder next door see the court records. blackfinn was losing money because they bartenders were thieves. I have live din Bethesda my entire life and never heard of Annie's bistro, maybe better marketing woudl have helped them?????

Anonymous said...

Annie's Bistro had a wonderful Bastille Day menu

Anonymous said...

Based on what's been reported here and elsewhere there's been speculation that Red Tomato, BCC Automotive, Fresh Grill were closed by the landlord while he plans a redevelopment of the existing buildings. All buildings have been deemed safe by outside engineers and the County.

Annie's was on St. Elmo right next to the parking lot behind Corner Slice.

Anonymous said...

Parking certainly wasn't the problem for Annie's. There is a county lot next door.

Woodmont said...

What of Bold Bite next door and their small weiners (according to yelp reviews anyway)?

I suspected trouble ahead when they only had breakfast service for a month.

Anonymous said...

Bold Bite seems to be doing fine: http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/03/05/construction-provides-opportunity-for-some-bethesda-businesses/

Woodmont said...

They were doing ok, but I'm concerned with Blackfinn closed, there will be a further reduction in foot traffic. Also, part of their original concept was to cater to the late night bar crowd.

Anonymous said...

Have any lawsuits been filed? For breach of contract or nonpayment? I'd like to see more investigation of this property owner. Seems to be lots of instances of refusing to work with tenants http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/04142010/wheanew212133_32547.php http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/01/22/red-tomato-cafe-closes-amid-construction-controversy/

Anonymous said...

seems easy to make accusations while not having any clue to the facts and hide behind anonymous, anonymous.