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Deputies Shut Down Restaurant During Lunch

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By LAURA KINSLER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Diners got a surprise this week when Pasco County sheriff's deputies shut down the Morrison's Countryside Buffet restaurant during lunch Wednesday.

The restaurant at 5420 Gall Blvd. was closed for not paying rent. The landlord filed an eviction notice Aug. 8.

"In a commercial eviction, the defendant is required to make a deposit for back rent to the clerk of court within five days," said Meredith Wester, attorney for the landlord. "If they fail to make a deposit, they waive all their defenses."

The restaurant operators, Thanh Van Vo and Kinchat Patel, signed the lease in July but never made a rent payment, according to the complaint. Vo and Patel owed the landlord more than $15,000 in back rent. They never responded to the court summons, and Circuit Judge Wayne Cobb issued a writ of possession on Sept. 19. They could not be reached for comment.

The closure happened so suddenly that employees didn't have time to shut down the equipment. A server returned later to cut off the cafeteria's steam table, but the doors had been locked.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844 or lkinsler@tampatrib.com.

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