Cuco's restaurant is seeking letters of support from customers and neighbors as it fights to have its eviction order dismissed in court.
Last week, we reported that landlord Robert Shelton had filed a complaint and summons against the restaurant at 488 Haight Street. Shelton is seeking to terminate Cuco's month-to-month lease, which has been in effect for more than 22 years. The Campos family that runs Cuco's was given five days to reply to the complaint, or face a forced eviction.
According to Judy Campos, daughter of Cuco's owners Carmen and Domingo Campos, Shelton initially pursued the eviction because the family refused his demand that they make certain cosmetic upgrades to the restaurant at their own expense. They contend that he has no legitimate basis to evict the restaurant, though he may still be within his legal right to do so.
The makers of a new documentary called "Golden City," which focuses on how the current tech boom is changing San Francisco, recently caught wind of Cucos' plight. Yesterday they posted a video interview with Judy in which she explains the situation:
The Campos family's situation has also gotten the attention of the media in recent days, with ABC News also filing a story:
On Tuesday, Judy informed us that the family is filing a legal response, formally known as a demurrer, which will seek to have Shelton's complaint dismissed. The eviction can't proceed until the matter is resolved, so Cuco's currently remains in business.
In the meantime, the Campos family is hoping to amass public support to help in its fight against Shelton. Specifically, they're asking any interested customers or neighbors to drop by the taqueria with letters of support, which they will present to a judge as a means of bolstering their case.
Shelton did back down from his previous eviction attempt in early 2012, in response to media scrutiny and public pressure. He also retracted his controversial letter to residential tenants earlier this year requiring annual salaries of at least $100,000 and credit scores of 725, a letter which sparked similar outrage. Whether another wave of public indignation will have any effect on Shelton this time, or on a judge for that matter, remains to be seen.
Some readers have asked about the fate of Lo Cost Meats, another long-time commercial tenant of the same building. We checked in with owner Pierre Pegeron, who told us that the market has six years left on a 10-year lease, and is presumably safe from any threat of eviction. At least for now.
We've reached out to Shelton and his lawyer for comment, but have yet to receive a reply. If that should change, or if there are any new developments in the Cuco's case, we'll update accordingly.
