Grocery store sued by landlord for alleged non-payment of rent, $200K replacement cost for refrigeration units

GRETNA – A grocery store that terminated a lease early is being sued by its former landlord for not paying rent allegedly for several months and taking two refrigeration units from the property with a replacement value of $200,000.

Lapalco Village Joint Venture filed suit against Wendell Pierce, Troy A. Henry, James Hatchett, Sterling Fresh Foods LLC and ASI Federal Credit Union in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 25.

Lapalco Village Joint Venture alleges that on March 29, 2012 it entered into a three-year lease with Sterling Fresh Foods to lease a commercial property they own located at 5969 Lapalco Blvd. in Marrero. The plaintiff contends Sterling Fresh Foods began operating a grocery store on the premises on March 20, 2013, which they terminated on Sept. 14, 2014 after which they completely vacated the premises and allegedly took the items belonging got the property.

Lapalco Village Joint Venture asserts Sterling Fresh Foods was to pay a base monthly amount of $3,083 as well as pay for any necessary repairs on the premises over the course of the lease. However, the plaintiff alleges it was not paid for the months leading up to the termination of the lease including April through November 2014.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract and removal and conversion of property.

An unspecified amount if damages is sought by the plaintiff.

Lapalco Village Joint Venture is represented by attorney Jacob Kansas of Gretna.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Henry G. Sullivan, Jr.

Case no. 747-075.