Max's Best Icecream

[Anonymous]

Just found out that the building owners refused to renew his lease, instead they gave the place to Rockland BBQ to expand, effectively putting him out of business.

I am very sad to see a mom-and-pop business go. Considering he just lost his wife/partner over cancer, it is a cruel thing the building owners just did. Does a business tenant have any legal right in such a case?

[Anonymous]

Ooh, that is sad news...there must be more to the story, since the place is quite iconic.

[Anonymous]

WHAT???? That sucks! I agree that there must be more to the story, but that is really sad!

[Anonymous]

Rocklands is a mom and pop business too. Started at that location and has a few others now. If the property owner wanted to end the lease, who are you to say otherwise?

Buy a building and rent it to Max.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just found out that the building owners refused to renew his lease, instead they gave the place to Rockland BBQ to expand, effectively putting him out of business.

I am very sad to see a mom-and-pop business go. Considering he just lost his wife/partner over cancer, it is a cruel thing the building owners just did. Does a business tenant have any legal right in such a case?

OP,

This is awful. The current owner of Max's Best has been there 20 years, and is such a great guy. Max's Best was already an iconic fixture in the neighborhood.

I'm so sad to hear about his wife. We moved away years ago. (I hope his daughter is doing okay.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rocklands is a mom and pop business too. Started at that location and has a few others now. If the property owner wanted to end the lease, who are you to say otherwise?

Buy a building and rent it to Max.

Wow, you're an asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rocklands is a mom and pop business too. Started at that location and has a few others now. If the property owner wanted to end the lease, who are you to say otherwise?

Buy a building and rent it to Max.

Yes, I know the owners can lease to whoever they want, just as your employer can fire you at will. It does not make the situation easier for Max or you, or less sad for me.

[Anonymous]

I never understood the appeal of Max's ice cream. It wasn't that great and the soft-serve was inedible. Also, the landlord isn't refusing to renew his lease. He's raising the rent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understood the appeal of Max's ice cream. It wasn't that great and the soft-serve was inedible. Also, the landlord isn't refusing to renew his lease. He's raising the rent.

According to Rockland spokesperson, The landlord, Barbara Bassin, declined to renew Max's 5-year lease. Instead she offered the place to Rockland. Max was expecting an increase in rent, instead he got the eviction notice.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Max was planning to discuss the rent increase and instead got a notice to vacate.

[Anonymous]

That's pretty unfortunate. I live in GP and Max's adds value to the neighborhood for sure. Frankly it makes me think less of Rockland's. And that landlords are always money grubbing. I used to work at Olsson's Books at 418 7th Street. The landlord raised the rent, Olsson's went out of business (indie bookstore death rattle), and the space there is STILL empty six years later.

[Anonymous]

No!!! I lived in GP for 4 years and I still think fondly of Max's pumpkin ice cream. Also such a nice guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's pretty unfortunate. I live in GP and Max's adds value to the neighborhood for sure. Frankly it makes me think less of Rockland's. And that landlords are always money grubbing. I used to work at Olsson's Books at 418 7th Street. The landlord raised the rent, Olsson's went out of business (indie bookstore death rattle), and the space there is STILL empty six years later.

I miss Olsson's. I also miss the Key movie theater. NW DC is taking over by National chains and Amazon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understood the appeal of Max's ice cream. It wasn't that great and the soft-serve was inedible. Also, the landlord isn't refusing to renew his lease. He's raising the rent.

+1 for the bolded WTH!

I still think it's sad that he is losing his lease and that many people are upset that he is closing.

[Anonymous]

Boo! I love Max's.