'Save Tian Fu' Rally Crowd Packs Restaurant

Li Chen, petite and ebullient proprietor of Tian Fu Restaurant, smiled and hugged supporters and friends as they arrived during Monday's "Save Tian Fu" rally.

People packed the 448 Washington St. eatery Monday for free food, a show of solidarity and conversation about the establishment's  uncertain future. Among the supporters were Tito Jackson, aide to Gov. Deval Patrick, Charles Rudnick,Democratic primary challenger to Sen. Cynthia Creem, Planning Board Vice Chairman Stepanie Wasser, Members of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and Town Meeting Member Roy Switzler.

The mood was festive and upbeat, despite the fact that the party was on the eve of the deadline the restaurant's owners have been given to move out of the building. On July 7, Gravestar, Inc., terminated Star Market's lease at 448 Washington St., which also ended the Tian Fu Restaurant's sub-lease at the site. Whole Foods, which is preparing to open a store at the site, has denied requests to meet to discuss options for Tian Fu's owners. Gravestar has denied a request for an extension on the move-out deadline. 

Li and her husband John, who have yet to find a new spot to move to, have been holding out for an extension on that deadline or permission to stay or move to the nearby Rite Aid building. They've been denied all three of those requests, said the Chen's lawyer, Rob Kerwin.

The Chens need another three to six months to move the restaurant, said Christine Dunn, President of Savoir Media, who has offered her help to the restauranteurs. The deadline to move out on their old lease with Star Market is today, but on Monday the kitchen was very much still in business preparing food for more than 100 supporters. There are more than 1,800 signatures on a petition asking Whole Foods to keep the restaurant at its current location at the restaurant's entrance.

Without some relief, the Chens may lose their business, putting 10 people out of work as well, said Kerwin.

The Condrens, Debbie and Terry with their daughters Gabrielle and "A." Condren, were among the many people who attended to show their support, bearing colorful signs asking to 'Save Tian Fu' and "Save Our Peking Toasted Chicken". 

Shirley and Martin Frant were also showing their support for the establishment, which they say is a special place. "It's like you treat your guests when they come to your house," Shirley said, "And the food, obviously, is quite good."

"After you come here a few times, they get to know you," said Martin.

Kerwin said the Chens will not move out today, and that he expects eviction proceedings to begin immediately. He acknowledges that Gravestar could lock their doors.

The Chens have only recently received a response to their repeated inquiries to Gravestar and Whole Foods, Kerwin said, which they started making in April, when word of the possible change in the restaurant's sub-lease from Star Market made the news.

"Why wouldn't they even sit with us? Why wouldn't they talk with us?" Kerwin asked.

"That's not the community spirit that they should be trying to engender, so they can attract the community into their business," said Albert DeNapoli, a lawyer  and director of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

During a speech at the end of the evening, Roy Switzler encouraged supporters to write to Laura Derba, president of the Whole Foods North Atlantic Region, 125 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, MA, 02140 and ask the company to work with the Chens. Many supporters, apparently eager to help, were enthusiastic about the idea.

Whole Foods, which reports it has no influence in the situation, is leasing the property for its new store from  Gravestar, Inc., the owner of the land. Gravestar, Inc.'s  address is 160 Second St., Cambridge, MA 02142.