Aroma di Roma is out of its longtime Italian flag-colored spot at Second Street and Pomona Avenue, but promised on its Facebook page over the weekend to be operating soon nearby.
Two commercial property owners familiar with the situation said Aroma owner Tim Terrell ran a very successful business and paid his bills on time, but his landlord would not renew his lease when it recently expired.
Kurt Schneiter and Bill Lorbeer, themselves landlords with a formidable amount of Second Street property, told Patch Friday that they tried for several months to either help Terrell stay or relocate him into one of their buildings, to no avail. (Terrell could not immediately be reached).
Lorbeer said that Aroma di Roma was required to leave and it will be replaced by another coffee-serving company. The once-popular patio and frontage were gated by as early as Thursday but readers were asking Patch by Friday morning.
Schneiter said he admires Terrell as a successful businessman who had gone to the investment and various travails inherent in starting a new business, and had come out the other side strongly.
"I can tell you as a property owner on the street, it's hard to see somebody whose brought so much, such a quality business, to our community, and not get his lease renewed, Schneiter said Friday night. "If I had space for Tim I'd put him in a space without thinking twice."
He went on, "He's just an asset to the community, and he's created a nice business."
So it wasn't that Terrell was missing payments? "No, no, no, that's never been the issue. It's a matter of someone wanting him out and someone else in there."
But Terrell will be reopened for business soon, he assured Aroma's Facebook fans:
"To our Valued Customers:
Aroma di Roma expects to reopen here in a few short days. We appreciate your business and apologize for any difficulties or inconvenience our unexpected closing may have caused.
Soon we’ll be moving and reopening in a new-and-improved Belmont Shore location.
We thank you for your continued support."
