Quantcast The Diamondback
College Media Network

Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

College Perk owner fights foreclosure

Brady Holt

Issue date: 6/12/08 Section: News
  • Print
  • Email
  • Page 1 of 1

Despite being foreclosed upon in September, College Perk coffeehouse, bar and boardinghouse has been conducting business as usual.

But since late last month, the new owner has been trying to change that - by seeking to have College Perk evicted from the property.

Nonetheless, Chris Gordon - who founded College Perk in 2003 - said he is not worried. He said yesterday he and his lawyers have enough dirt on the proceedings used in the foreclosure to keep the business going without interruption.

"As far as my attorneys tell me, it's still my property," he said.

But the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation disagrees, listing Daria Land Group LLC as the owner of 9078 Baltimore Avenue. And College Park Public Services Director Bob Ryan said Daria attorney Robert Hillman told the city the company is in court trying to evict the property's tenants.

Hillman declined to comment.

Gordon provided few specifics on how he plans to push his case - acting on his attorney's advice, he said - but said he was not given sufficient notification of the foreclosure proceedings and accused the other involved parties of submitting fabrications to courts. He said he is not only certain he will keep his property, but he also expects the other parties to face criminal charges.

"I am quite sure that people who become judges are smart enough and wise enough to say,'Wow, this isn't true, and you said it was,'" Gordon said.

Gordon has largely kept quiet on the foreclosure proceedings, brushing it off as complicated paperwork. Employees and customers in College Perk yesterday said they had not heard the property had been foreclosed on or heard of a court battle to evict the business.

"I hope it's not true," said Nadia Brandon, an alumna and frequent College Perk customer. "It would suck if this place closed, period. I would have to go to Silver Spring or D.C."

Brandon listed many reasons she loved College Perk: intellectual debates, friendly community atmosphere, coffee and even the study environment, following each with "make sure you put that in the story, too."

Gordon brought out dozens of supporters to fight for College Perk in February when the city was considering challenging its liquor license over unpaid fees, but said he has not rallied the troops over this issue because popular support can't change the result.

Gordon also has not paid some of the city fees he agreed to take care of in February, as well as more recent fees. He said he just hasn't gotten around to some of them; others, such as the occupancy permit fee, remain unpaid because of his own scruples about them.

holtdbk@gmail.com


Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.

Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 52

jimbo

posted 6/12/08 @ 9:39 AM EST

Why is this clown getting so many breaks? Pay your bills or get out, its pretty simple.

(1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

Stupid Hippies

posted 6/12/08 @ 10:02 AM EST

Kick this guy out of town. This guy and all those liberal hippies have no business sense

(2 replies)   Details   Reply to this comment

KAT

posted 6/12/08 @ 10:42 AM EST

The place is a vermin infested junk yard for weirdos and wannabee's. The place is a dump. He should take his show on the road and move to Takoma Park or Garrett Park. (Continued…)

(1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

Karl

posted 6/12/08 @ 4:33 PM EST

A spectre is haunting College Park -- the spectre of communism. All the powers of old College Park have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre

(1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

Jan

posted 6/13/08 @ 5:15 PM EST

Wow, good comments people, have you ever been to college perk or anywhere else outside of your own little box-chain stores that have no feeling...no doubt the atmosphere of the rest that college park has to offer satisfies you all, see you at 25 cent miller lite night at bentleys, yay!

(1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

Ken

posted 6/14/08 @ 7:45 PM EST

I'm a conservative and I like the Perk. I hope all goes well for Gordon and the Perk but if it doesn't and it's Gordon's fault, I hope he learns his lessons, regroups, and finds retail space in the area to open and give her another try. (Continued…)

Death Trap!

posted 6/16/08 @ 12:01 PM EST

That dump is a fire death trap waiting to happen. Ever been there on nights when they violate their occupancy permit? It's a converted residence and means of egress is insufficient for this kind of business. (Continued…)

(2 replies)   Details   Reply to this comment

Arthur

posted 6/16/08 @ 12:55 PM EST

Just about every single one of you is completely insane. Remove the college perk from college park and you remove the last shred of personality this little piece of crap town has. (Continued…)

Stupid Hippies

posted 6/17/08 @ 9:14 AM EST

Chris Gordon may be a really nice guy but in the real world in order to run a business you need profit. I'm sure when you guys are all high you come up with great business ideas involving the use of hemp but your target market has no money. (Continued…)

WTF?

posted 6/17/08 @ 2:23 PM EST

So Chris Gordon is willing to pay his lawyer, but he won't pay his bills? ...Okay.

(1 reply)   Details   Reply to this comment

Post a Comment

  • NOTE: Email address will not be published

Type your comment below (html not allowed)

  I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

DIAMONDBACK SERVICES

    Terp Resources

Airline Tickets
cash advance
Debt Relief
health savings account
group health insurance
Internet Marketing
parenting tips
Six Sigma

Advertisement

Poll

Do you worry about the job market in light of the nation's economic crisis?
Submit Vote

View Results

Advertisements

Advertisements

Download Print Edition PDF Download Print Edition PDF
register ad

Advertisement