The owners of Dripp Donuts have smeared DDA, DSDC, former DDA executive director Liz Swine and interim DDA executive director Janie Landry after closure of their shop.
Here are pertinent facts:
1. Dripp had a ZERO ($0) DOLLAR lease from the building owner (DSDC) for five years.
2. The structural problems that lead to condemnation of the building were not caused by the building owner who made $300,000 of building improvements prior to leasing it to Dripp.
3. DSDC paid almost $6000 to move Dripp assets out of the building after the structural problems appeared.
4. DSDC, under the supervision of Dripp, moved all of their items out of the building except for fixtures permanently attached to the building.
5. To prevent the outer walls from collapsing before the removal of Dripp assets, DSDC spent approximately $30,000 to rent equipment to brace the outer wall.
6. The Dripp lease with DSDC specifically releases each party from the other in the event of partial/total destruction of the building. The building wall cracks and subsequent condemnation by city official satisfies the definition of building destruction.
7. Dripp's social media postings subject Dripp to possible defamation suits by DDA, DSDC, Swaine and/or Landry.
There is an old saying by barristers:
a. if you have the law on your side, pound the law
b. if you have the facts on your side, pound the facts
c. if you do NOT have the facts or the law on your side, pound the media.
Dripp is the classic case of (c) above.
The building condemnation is a tragedy for all involved: Dripp, DSDC, Swaine, Landry and Dripp customers as well as the entire downtown community. Publishing half-truths does nothing but harm all involved, but especially Dripp.