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| Annandale Shopping Center. |
While Pro Maxx Fitness is embroiled in a tenancy disputewith the owners of the Annandale Shopping Center– and faces eviction at the end of the month – other tenants in that center report good relations with the landlord.
Pro Maxx, which has been operating on a month-to-month basis, has been unsuccessful in negotiating a lease with Reuss, and the conflict will be heard in court Sept. 19. Meanwhile, many of the gym’s members and employees have been showing support for the gym, on the street with signs, on Facebook, and in an online petition.
It should be noted that tenants aren’t likely to openly criticize a landlord they need to work with. However, all the business owners or managers who happened to be around on Sunday had good things to say about Carol Zach Reuss, who manages the shopping center for the owners, the McWhorter family. Reuss serves as vice chair of the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee and is active in the Annandale Chamber of Commerce.
David Starr, the owner of Beanetics Coffee Roasters, said he’s never had a problem with the landlord. When he opened the shop in 2006, he had a three-year lease, which was extended to five years and renewed for another five. Reuss “has always been very responsive” and was “very helpful in getting our business off the ground, making sure our build-out was done properly and getting through the permitting process,” Starr said.
Egan Del, owner of Annandale Photo, said he has “no complaints” and called Reuss “a fair person” who is polite and listens to his concerns. Tae Kim, manager of Quiznos, also reported no problems since the sandwich shop opened seven years ago.
Don Nguyen, owner of Eden Nails & Spa, called a Reuss a “very good landlord” who does a good job maintaining the parking lot and HVAC system. “I’ve never worked with a better landlord,” said Treasure Trove Assistant Manager Annyce Ferrogari. Ruess has been “very accommodating,” she said, letting Treasure Trove use the empty Bloom building for special events.
Reuss has been “very fair with us,” said John Kim, manager of the Cue Club, which has a 15-year lease. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” he said of the Pro Maxx dispute. “I can see both sides. I hope they resolve it.”