ALL Kinda Things Mall tenants still in limbo

By Joyette Mills-Ward
Business Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts- DESPITE receiving eviction letters giving them 3 weeks to vacate the All-Kinda-Things Mall in June, the tenants remain in the hopes that the matter will be resolved in their favour.

Although some vendors moved out of the government provided premise, others took a stand claiming they would not move as the notice given was too short. In the letter dated June 5, it was stated that the owners of the property had through a legal representative, informed of their intention to terminate their property lease with the government with the view to sell the property to a third party.

Later in that month the tenants received another letter from the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture which informed that there was some dispute over the handling of the property and by extension, the termination on the property lease with government.

The letter, signed by Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism Sports & Culture Honourable Richard Skerritt read, “Further to my memo of June 5, 2008 it has come to my attention that the family of George Sahely, the owner of the property where [the Mall] is located, is in some dispute over the matter of terminating their property lease with the government.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“It therefore means that the letter sent by an attorney claiming to represent the wishes of the family has not been recognized as validly grounded by some members of the family.”

The letter also assured the tenants that the government would continue to “do all it can” to protect their business from premature closure and that they would be informed of all future developments.

SKNVibes.com spoke with the Permanent Secretary in said ministry, Lloyd Lazar, who said that although the most recent letter had referred to a meeting between Skerritt and the tenants to discuss the matter “in the not too distant future”, there has yet to be fruition.

In speaking with one hopeful tenant, the woman lamented about finding a similar spot in town to relocate to. She said that the $50 per month paid at the Mall was affordable but other central rental properties would cost close to or more than $1000 monthly.

“We are hoping for the best because the letter said the government will not rest until a suitable arrangement has been made. So right now things are still up in the air. Those who moved are crying out for the rent they have to pay and most of us will have to shut up shop because we can’t afford to go anyplace else.”