Oregon District bar files lawsuit after abrupt closure

DAYTON — One of the oldest bars located in the Oregon District has closed its doors, and the owner has filed a civil lawsuit against the building’s landlord.

Tumbleweed Connection Saloon and Grill is temporarily closed due to disputes between the bar owner and the new landlord of the building.

Tanya Atkinson, the operator of the restaurant, filed the suit against the building’s landlords, Schaney Family Limited Partnership and Michelle Schaney.

According to the lawsuit, Atkinson is seeking damages of more than $75,000.

On March 1, the bar wrote on their Facebook page, “This is a tenancy issue with the landlord, she changed the locks and we have to go through civil court to resolve the situation”.

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The doors were locked on Tuesday, but on Thursday a new sign was posted on the door that read, “Closed For Remodeling,” along with black-out coverings on the windows and doors.

News Center 7′s Mike Campbell spoke with Debbie Antrim and Robyn Henry, two Tumbleweed customers, on their thoughts about the bar closing.

“See, that’s not right, they need to give them a heads up, I think they got to prepare too, of what they’re going to be doing,” Henry said.

The bar also showed their concerns about their employees by posting on their Facebook page, “Hey locals, with us closed we have 14 employees, bartenders, barbacks, and cooks. If anyone knows of positions for any of them, we would love to pass it along. We are very upset of the hurt this is causing them.”

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A man who claims to be associated with the bar said to News Center 7 that the landlord wanted the bar to do thousands of dollars in repairs but the owner refused without a new, signed lease.

WHIO tried to call the owner of the building to confirm, but have not received a response. We also went to the business address listed for the owner in the Montgomery County property records. No employee there would speak with us or put us in touch with the owner.

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