PJ, Manager of Soley’s Properties and Joe Soley, a Defendant in the Lawsuit, Recently at His Office at One Exchange Street, Old Port.
Old Port Unpopular Landlord Joe Soley, Mark Dean and Developer Jonathan Cohen With Greg Mitchell, Economic Development Office, Director at City Council Meeting.
The disdain for Jonathan Cohen & Joe Soley the new owners of Route 1, Falmouth Shopping Center, has aroused much public interest in the lawsuit that is currently before the business court in Portland. The lawsuit brought by Ocean State Job Lots, (“OSJL”) is intended to fight against an eviction notice by “C&S” on behalf of the company’s employees and the community who is very supportive of the discount store.
Just after Cohen and Soley purchased the Falmouth Shopping Center earlier this year, Ocean State Job Lots received an eviction notice to vacate the store they have occupied since late last year. The company had signed a lengthy lease with the former shopping center owner. “C&S” are protesting it on an invalid technology point. The popular store occupies a large space that had been empty for years – with concern by some that any store large enough would ever move in.
The trial in the case began last week. However, according to an official at the store headquarters in Rhode Island, the case has been continued until July 16, 2018. The reason for the necessary continuance is that “OSJL” did not have enough time to present all of its witnesses in the first day of the trial.
Ocean State Job Lots has 131 stores in the northeast. It’s corporate headquarters are in Rhode Island.
Soley has admitted to this blogger in the past that he was formerly a business associate of former VP Spiro Agnew in the Richard Nixon administration. Agnew was forced to resign his position and his attorneys fought hard to keep him from going to jail. Soley was proud of that fact until it appeared in this blog.
Jonathan Cohen is the developer for the new WEX headquarters on the Portland waterfront. He’s also the financial backer for the new bar at Ten Exchange Street in the Old Port. He’s also the owner of 100 Fore Street, behind WEX, which is currently being cleared out to make way for a 600 space garage to meet his commitment to the city. Cohen has applied for permit to increase the heights at 100 Fore Street on Munjoy HIll. It’s coming up on the planning board agenda on July 10, 2018.
Please two posts herein dated May 24 and May 18, 2018 on this controversy for more background information.