An institutional landmark in Jackson Heights for over 60 years, the Cavalier Restaurant was forced to close its doors for good on Sunday, February 7, because of a landlord unwilling to negotiate a fair new lease.
The restaurant, located on 37th Avenue and 86th Street, was purchased by an unknown buyer who doubled the rent, forcing owner Alfonso Londoño to close up shop.
“This is so sudden, that we are unable to digest the news,” said Londoño. “From Tuesday, to today, we have been taking care of business.”
The same anonymous owner purchased a shoe store, a butcher and a salon on the same block, and forced them out of business as well.
All four businesses could have been saved had the Small Business Survival Act been passed last year, according to Steve Null, director of the Coalition to Save Small Businesses
“It is shameful to have jobs lost during a recession,” said Null. “There is no excuse for these businesses to go out of business. This bill would change that drastically.”
The Small Business Survival Act was introduced in June by Washington Heights Councilmember Robert Jackson. The purpose of the act is to give some rights to the tenant when negotiating a new lease with the landlord.
As of now, there is no regulation of rent for commercial property. When a lease expires, landlords are well within their rights to increase the rent, or even kick the tenants out, without any reasonable cause.
“Landlords go to Queens to exploit the tenants,” added Null. “The government must make a decision – start regulating to create a healthy environment for business to expand and have a future.”
Londoño was an unfortunate victim of the lack of regulation. The Cavalier had been a staple in the neighborhood for more than 60 years, 40 of those under Londoño and his family.
The 63-year-old Londoño was unable to sign the new lease and pay the security deposit. Had he been able to provide the funds being asked of him, it would have been difficult to continue that effort month after month.
“To double the rent and ask for six months security is just too difficult for us,” said Nathaly Velilla, Londoño’s daughter who helped him run the place. “And with the recession, people don’t spend as much.”
The family hopes to open another restaurant in the near future. Members of the community have been showing their support for Londoño and his family all week long.
People offered their help to save the Cavalier Restaurant, including Jackson Heights Councilmember Daniel Dromm, but Londoño respectfully declined.
“Al is a humble man, and we are trying to help him open a business somewhere else, hopefully in Jackson Heights,” said Dromm, who is a supporter of the Small Business Act. “This is a tremendous loss to the community.”
The restaurant was manned by Londoño, his wife and daughter, and about 12 other staff members. This past summer, the restaurant underwent renovations, adding flat screen televisions and wireless internet.
On Sunday, those television sets were used to watch the Super Bowl, providing entertainment for the restaurant and its patrons one last time before the doors were closed for good.
“It is very sad that it’s come down to this,” said Steve Dragisics, a friend of the family. “People have been coming in and out, crying. It’s the end of an era.”
