In October, CL reported that Hofbräuhaus was facing eviction lawsuit over late rent. Well, it looks like the joint known for pints, paddles and bratwurst has since shuttered.
According to Tampa Bay Times, there is a hand-written “closed" sign taped to the restaurant’s front door stating “sorry for the inconvenience.”
The German concept's Facebook account has been deleted and it hasn't posted on Instagram since Dec. 8, 2019. Although the concept—stationed at 123 4th St. S. in downtown St. Petersburg—has gone off the grid on social media, the phone line is still working and its voicemail is still intact.
Could this be due to the lawsuit filed by property owners WG St. Pete LLC late last year? The lawsuit stated that "Tenant [Hofbräuhaus] has refused or otherwise failed to pay the rentals due and still refuses or otherwise fails to do so. Tenant also refuses … to surrender the leased property.”
According to the lawsuit, in October, Hofbräuhaus received a “notice of acceleration” from WG St. Pete LLC's attorneys who gave five days to pay $7.1 million (the total that Hofbräuhaus owners "would have paid in rent through the end of the lease agreement").
CL attempted to call Hofbräuhaus but could not make contact, this story will be updated once there is a comment from restaurant representatives.
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This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2020.