Uniquely Leo’s reopens

Published 10:08 pm Friday, November 30, 2012

About a week after closing, a downtown shop will reopen Saturday after negotiating with its former landlord.

“I’m very happy to report that the levy against Uniquely Leo’s was lifted this afternoon,” attorney Fred Taylor said Friday. “They will be back open for business in the morning.”

The shop closed suddenly over the Thanksgiving holiday and had paper over the windows.

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The business, which is located at 120 N. Main St., opened in October 2006 in a nearby building at 165 N. Main St. It moved in September 2010.

A General District Court file revealed a judgment against the business for more than $18,000, the total for rent between when Uniquely Leo’s moved and when the landlord, LUP LLC, was able to rent the space to a new tenant, as well as some arrears from before the move.

Responses filed by Uniquely Leo’s indicate the owner, Marcy Miller, was told numerous times she could break her lease and would not be charged for the interim until a new tenant was found. The landlord’s representative refused to put it in writing, according to the court documents.

“I’m very happy we were able to work something out and pleased to see a business survive in downtown Suffolk,” Taylor said Friday.

Miller said Friday she is thankful for the “outpouring of support” she has seen from the community in the last week and a half.

“It’s been absolutely amazing,” she said. “We’re happy to be reopening, and we’re hoping for a good season.”

The shop is participating in today’s Holiday Open House, sponsored by the city, which includes special events and discounts at a number of downtown merchants, restaurants, museums and venues.