Diane Avila, owner of the Route 66 Malt Shop at 1720 Central Ave. in Albuquerque, misinterpreted a legal document she received and thought she was being evicted by a landlord that is redeveloping the area.
However, the restaurant is closing only temporarily as the building it occupies is renovated, reports the Albuquerque Tribune.
Chris Calott of Infill Solutions, the Albuquerque company that is redeveloping the property, said the malt shop will have to close as the building is renovated over a period of two to three months.
But his company has assured Avila that her restaurant is more than welcome to come back.
“We met with them (Monday) morning and confirmed our desire to keep them (Avila and husband, Eric Szeman) in the space,” Calott said. “They won’t be out for more than a month or two.”
And when they return, Avila and Szeman will get a “fixed-up, shiny white space with a fixed-up interior and improved patio,” Calott said.
The redevelopment is part of the former Horn Oil Co. Part of the structure will be torn down, but other parts will be renovated into office and retail space into something called Country Club Plaza.
And Avila says she’s more than happy to return to a renovated space — especially with an outdoor patio for dining.