Thursday, February 10, 2000
Barleycorn's fights ouster
Newport says it owes rent
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — The owner of the Barleycorn's restaurant chain, which includes the floating restaurant/bar next to the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, promises to fight the city's effort to evict him from Riverboat Row.
Newport filed a complaint in Campbell District Court Tuesday to evict Barleycorn's from its leased position on the Ohio River shore below the Newport Aquarium, citing unpaid rent of more than $123,000 over a two-year period.
Owner Ken Heil, a Newport native who lives in Fort Mitchell, said the dispute involves a lack of good faith bargaining by city officials on portions of the lease agreement.
“I've been trying to negotiate with the city for several years regarding the lease,” he said Wednesday. “It involved extending terms of the lease and also the cost of the lease and parking lot improvements. But the city says, "If you pay your rent, we'll work on the other issues.'”
If a compromise cannot be struck, a piece of Ohio River history could disappear — leaving one less dining option for the thousands of Tristate residents who visit Barleycorn's, especially during the summer.
The Barleycorn's boat and barge was one of the first on the local Ohio River shoreline. It began its life as a restaurant and bar in 1972 as Newport Yacht Club, owned by Helen Peluso Enzweiler. Mr. Heil bought the boat in 1984. He also operates Barleycorn's restaurants in Cold Spring, Lakeside Park and downtown Cincinnati.
Mr. Heil said he gave city officials a proposal last year that addressed all the issues.
“I believed we had a verbal agreement on the issues, and subsequently spent $300,000 to improve the business,” he said. “Part of the plan was to take rent payments that are due and use that for parking lot improvements. Since then, (city officials) have said they did not agree to that and would not do that.”
His attorney, Phil Taliaferro, said Wednesday he would file a reply to the city's eviction action. He also anticipated a counterclaim dealing with certain aspects of the lease, which was signed in 1986.
“However, my hope is that if both sides get together and adopt a win-win approach to this problem, we will be able to solve the problem,” Mr. Taliaferro said.
“The city and Ken Heil both have legitimate complaints.”
Area firms work to secure Web sites
Hackers' latest attacks difficult to stop, trace
Tristate tourism set record in '99
Barleycorn's fights ouster
P&G sues competitor over its fabric freshener patents
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
TRISTATE MARKET SPOTLIGHT
