Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original publication to include a comment from Erik Coughlin.
Truly Free Bakery & Deli permanently closed its doors on Monday in the Southdowns Shopping Center after seven years in business, in what the owners describe in a Facebook post as “a stand against” landlord Donnie Jarreau Real Estate for “band-aid” fixes to the restaurant’s sewer lines.
“We are in a battle with our landlord over a very serious and quite frankly, disgusting issue,” owners Erick and Ainsley Coughlin wrote in a Facebook post. “We have had major sewer problems for over 3 years, and to our frustration, this problem was never fully fixed—only temporary ‘band aides’ were attempted. This issue has persisted and has been more problematic over the last year.”
But Jarreau says all sewer problems have been fixed and documented adding the Coughlins haven’t paid rent since January.
“We’re sorry they are closing their business,” Jarreau says. “They’ve never contact us. We have over a million feet of retail. We would love to work with them to relocate them to a more affordable space that’s needed.”
Jarreau says he and his company did not evict the Coughlins and Truly Free Bakery for back rent. Instead, they are voluntarily leaving the space in the Southdowns Shopping Center, Jarreau says.
Erick Coughlin, confirms the bakery is voluntary leaving the Southdowns Shopping Center, but he disputes that contact has not been made with the property management company.
As for the unpaid rent, Erick Coughlin says he was trying to make a point. “I don’t want to be held liable for something that’s not fixed,” he says.
He contends the sewer line has been an issue for years as raw sewage escapes up from under the building’s air conditioning unit outside, leading to low water pressure inside the building. He says there have been times customers couldn’t flush the toilets, sewage twice backed up inside the bakery and certified plumbers have visited.
A letter was sent notifying the property manager of his intent to withhold rent until the sewer issue was resolved, Erick Coughlin says. It never was, Erick Coughlin insists.
“This is a topic of discussion to us for multiple years. I have documentation,” he says.
The Coughlins say in their Facebook post that they have kept the restaurant open because Jarreau has been accommodating during “lean times.”
“We waited this long to take action because anytime the business was going through lean times, they worked with us, on a limited basis, and allowed us to catch up on rent,” they wrote. “However, that does not condone the lack of action taken by our landlord.”
Erick Coughlin says he has received offers to reopen his bakery somewhere else and hasn’t ruled out legal action against Jarreau.
“I have a case here. I know this,” he says. “I didn’t want it to come to this.”
—Alexandria Burris
