Switzler Speaks During Tian Fu Rally

On the eve of Tian Fu's last legal day at 446 Washington St., Roy Switzler, who questioned the article setting the events of the restaurant's fate in motion, spoke on their behalf. 

Following the dissolution of Star Market's lease with Gravestar, the former passed on the bad fortune to Tian Fu, ending their sublease yesterday, Aug. 31.

Setting those events in motion was Article 26, extending Gravestar's lease of town-owned land in the middle of the old Star Market parking lot. The town-owned 30,894 square foot parcel rests atop the Cochituate Aqueduct. Gravestar owns the Star Market building, which also houses Tian Fu.

 The new lease with Gravestar will last for 20 years, with the option of five extensions of five years each, for a possible total of 45 years at the site. The rent on the new lease in the first year would be $92,682, the same as what the town received under the old deal with Gravestar, which would have ended Sept. 30, 2012. The new lease has a provision to increase the rent by six percent at eight, 13 and 18 - year intervals. The extension was a key part of Gravestar's plan to woo Whole Foods to the site in place of Star Market.

Switzler and other opponents to Article 26 voiced concern for the existing businesses, including Tian Fu, but they were out-voted at Town Meeting in April. During a rally Monday night to show support for  Tian Fu, Switzler ended his speech by encouraging people 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. 

However, Heather W. McCready, Public Relations Manager for Whole Foods, said the company has no control over what its landlord, Gravestar, does regarding its other tenants.

"Whole Foods Market has signed a lease with Gravestar, Inc. to open a new store in the Washington Street location in Wellesley that formerly housed Star Market.  As Whole Foods Market is simply a tenant, we cannot comment on the management of the property or its other tenants. Any inquiries regarding the management of the property should be directed to Gravestar, Inc."

Gravestar, Inc.'s  address is 160 Second St., Cambridge, MA 02142.