Saxbys returning to Main Street?

The milk may be frothing again soon at Saxbys Coffee on Main Street in Manayunk.

The shop closed without notice last month. The windows were papered over and signs saying “Main Street Market” appeared.  Now, though, those signs have been replaced with flyers saying “OPENING SOON! Thanks a latte for your patience.”

When the shop closed, the company maintained that it would reopen after renovations. But a bright yellow Sheriff Sale sign on the door reported otherwise.

Neduscin Management, the property owner of the shop’s former Manayunk location, had sued the franchise for lagging behind on payments, which eventually led to January’s sheriff sale at the shop’s new location at 4343 Main St.

Daniel Neduscin, developer with Neduscin Management, said, “They didn’t pay their rent, it’s that simple.”

He explained that he “forced the sheriff’s sale”, in order to claim more than $50,000 that Philadelphia Municipal Court ruled he was owed in September of 2009.

As of Jan. 11, the contents of Saxbys’ new Main Street location (coffee makers, tables, kitchen appliances, etc.) were seized and sold off, with the money going to Neduscin Management, although Neduscin said he was not able to recoup all of his losses.

Immediately after the sale, the property owner of the Saxbys location, Eadeh Enterprises, changed the locks on the empty building and reportedly began seeking a new tenant. Court documents show that Eadeh Enterprises believed Saxbys owed more than $23,000 in back rent to the company.

Main Street Market, owned and operated by Belvedere Business Group, then entered talks with Eadeh Enterprises to expand its market into the adjacent space in question.

However, Scott Coles, owner of the Manayunk Saxbys franchise had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by that time, meaning that his Saxby holdings were frozen, and that his lease could not be revoked and transferred to a new tenant.

Main Street Market’s attempts to expand have now been put on hold while Saxbys is given the opportunity to restructure.

In a statement released by the Belvedere Business Group, the company said that although Saxbys has been given a reprieve, “We intend to continue planning the expansion of Main Street Market and are currently discussing details / timeline with the property owner.”

Scott Coles said that won’t be happening anytime soon. “The intention was to be in this community for a really long time.”

He said that although the contents of the store were sold, the only reason that Saxbys closed in January was for renovations. “One day we close down, for all intents and purposes for renovation, and [Eadeh] signed a lease with Main Street Market!”

Coles said the coffee shop should be open by the end of the month, with a new basement venue that will be used for concerts and open mic nights.

Local shop owners refused to comment publicly about the situation at their neighboring business, but voiced disappointment with the latest series of events.

One merchant, wishing to remain anonymous, characterized Saxbys’ behavior as “unprofessional, disreputable, and not honest.”