For the third time since March, the Columbus Redevelopment Commission has unanimously approved rent relief for six restaurants in the Commons and the Jackson Street Parking Garage.
Commission members agreed unanimously to provide a 100% rent abatement from Jan. 1 to June 30. The abatement applies to Orange Leaf, Subway at the Commons, Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, Bucceto’s, Lucabe’s and the Garage Pub and Grill.
From April through December, the commission has abated $155,588 in rental payments for the six restaurants, city redevelopment director Heather Pope said. The amount of rent that was collected during that period totaled $20,114, she said.
Pope estimated that $117,135 in rent will be abated during the first six months of next year.
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After thanking the commission, Garage Pub and Grill owner Steve Leach explained his full-service restaurant hasn’t made enough money to cover his payroll.
“My wife and I have poured quite a lot of money from our personal assets to keep it running,” Leach said. “That was in addition to having a (Personal Contact Purchase) PCP loan. It has just gotten unbearable.”
Leach says he’s hopeful the six-month rent abatement will keep the Garage Pub and Grill open until customers — especially employees of Cummins, Inc. — return to patronize his business.
Prior to the vote, city council member and downtown business owner Tom Dell implored the commission to grant the rent abatement to the restaurants.
The restaurants had already been through some of their toughest months when Bartholomew County announced stricter capacity limits on Nov. 21, Dell said. In addition, the eateries are also facing a further drop in business because colder temperatures will likely eliminate outdoor seating, he said.
In closing his comments, Dell, who owns a men’s clothing store, reminded the commission that the cost of trying to replace the six tenants would be greater than what has, or will be, lost in rent.
In March, the commission voted not to charge rent for all six restaurants for April and May. In late May, the commission voted they would receive full rent abatement in June and July, as well as a 75% abatement from August to December.
But two of the restaurants located within the Commons were at a distinct disadvantage than the other four because the city had closed The Commons in March. That meant Orange Leaf and the downtown Subway were unable to sell carry-out items because customers had no access to their facilities.
In late July, the commission agreed to provide those two restaurants with 100% rent abatement until The Commons reopens.
