Roundy’s Sues A&P for Share of Rent on Kohl’s Stores

Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc. has filed a lawsuit against now defunct Kohl’s Food Stores Inc. and its parent company, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc. (A&P), asking a judge to force the Montvale, N.J.-based grocer to honor a rent agreement it signed when Roundy’s acquired a former Kohl’s supermarket.

According to published reports, the store is one of seven Milwaukee stores that Roundy’s bought when A&P shut down Kohl’s in 2003. As part of the sale, reports said that according to court documents, A&P agreed to pay a share of the property’s rent through 2020.

A&P’s attorney, Donald Schoenfeld of von Briesen & Roper SC, sent Milwaukee-based Roundy’s a letter in August saying it would stop paying rent contributions as of Sept. 1. While the letter didn’t offer a reason for the stoppage, reports say that A&P suggested that Roundy’s contact its attorneys regarding the matter.

According to court documents, A&P is supposed to pay $23,000 a month toward the rent through October 2013, $19,000 a month from November 2013 through March 2015, and $23,000 a month from April 2015 through March 2020.

Roundy’s complaint, which was filed September 16, asks for the value of the rent contributions since September plus legal fees.