would it be rude if I whined?

[RollergirlVT]

I'm getting the shaft currently from an organization that one would consider a reputable community land trust. I am in fact just the type of person they are supposed to help. Unfortunately, they've decided I'm the perfect person to scam instead.
Here's my pitiful story:
A little over a year ago I lease a space for my start-up resale shop from the land trust. I had searched for months for an affordable location to no avail. At the time there was nothing available anywhere that didn't cost at least $3000 a month.
So when I found a space at $1500 it seemed a blessing. It was a cool space too with a monstrous cupola and 23' high ceilings.
It had virtually no visibility but I knew mine was a destination biz so I thought with sufficient advertising I'd overcome eventually. Well that didn't pan out. About four months ago they came to me and asked if I'd be interested in relocating to the front of the building (meaning the visible side) because apparently the current tenant in there was so far behind in his rent that when he changed his hours they assumed he'd abandoned the space. He didn't.
Anyway, a couple of months passed and I went to the land trust office to see if there was an update or a time frame for the potential move. They couldn't tell me anything but told me if I wanted to find another space they wouldn't hold me to the lease. Nice offer but since there weren't any spaces it didn't really help. So another month goes by and I contact the local economic development office to see if they had any ideas as to what I might do to improve my business in my bad location. I'd already spent a gazillion dollars advertising. After checking out my books and telling me I was at least operating in the black (which I knew), black just meant I wasn't losing money they told me that I was paying WAY over market value for my space. I couldn't believe the land trust was fleecing me on the rent!
So the guys at the economic development office contacted the land trust on my behalf without my urging I might add and advised them to lower my rent. The land trust agreed, and then reiterated the offer to let me out of the lease.
As I awaited the new lease rate to be presented in Aug. an amazing location suddenly came available. I mean an amazing location. Get this, the rent was actually less. Larger space (slightly) but VERY visible! I of course jumped on it.
I had to borrow the money to up-fit the place since we'd been living on our reserves for more than a year. About two weeks after I let the landlord know I'd found another space they told me they wanted me to continue to pay the rent until the place was re-let. I think that's holding me to the lease. When they offered to let me go they said they had a waiting list of NFP that wanted the space and the visibility wasn't an issue for them. Well, guess what. Apparently it was an issue and they can't find another tenant. Could be ages before they do since no one wants such a bad location.
So I'm screwed with not a legal leg to stand on. The double rent could be my total downfall. Isn't that special?
So I just needed to whine and could use a hug.
Thanks.

[joneschick]

1. yes, that sucks.

:hug: what kind of resale? do you have a web presence to buttress the brick and mortar?

[RollergirlVT]

4. thanks for the hugs

I sell clothes. Reconstructed, vintage and used. I'm moving to designer when I open the new shop cause no one else is doing that here. There are plenty of thrift stores already.
http://greenclosetvt.com

[Ohio Joe]

2. ach

What a pain. Hope your new place works out well enough to get you through the double rent period :hug:

[idgiehkt]

3. sorry you are having a hard time

I have a hard time understandging real estate stuff but I've throw some hugs your way...

:hug: :hug: