Stone Mountain, GA – A small community of business owners in Stone Mountain finds themselves facing an uncertain future after receiving notices from CSX Transportation that they must vacate properties the rail company owns in less than 30 days. The businesses affected are Summer’s Hair Boutique, the Christian Sports Center, and Village Car Wash and Detail Shop, all located on Main Street across from City Hall.
According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, CSX claims the businesses were improperly subleasing the property without its authorization, "in a manner that exposes CSX to unacceptable liability concerns." These businesses which have been a staple in the community for years, the owner of the car wash has been there for over 25 years, must now face the reality of uprooting their establishments.
At a recent Stone Mountain City Council meeting, community support for the businesses was evident. Residents urged the council to take action against CSX's decision; however, the city's hands may be tied. Stone Mountain City Manager Darnetta Tyus has clarified that the city has no agreement involving CSX and the properties in question, as reported by Decaturish.
The property ownership situation, dating back to 1954, became complex when the current leaseholder of Weeyums restaurant, William Dawson, and previous leaseholder David Jones entered into a verbal rent-to-own agreement without CSX’s approval. The arrangement was brought to light following a recent rent hike from CSX, from $500 to an abrupt $2,000 a month. Despite Dawson and Jones’s protest of the increase, the unapproved deal between them and their informal month-to-month tenants seemed to have provoked CSX's stern response to vacate.
In a statement given to Decaturish, a CSX spokesperson declared, "CSX does not have a lease agreement with the business owners currently occupying our property. Our tenant improperly sublet the property without authorization to third parties," underscoring the liability issues at hand. Yet, the spokesperson claimed a willingness to work out an agreeable path forward with the subtenants, but only after the current lease is officially terminated.
The fate of these businesses remains in a state of flux, with the local community echoing their significance and pushing back against their potential displacement. The situation received further attention when email correspondence surfaced, showing Dawson advocating for his tenants and requesting more time, emphasizing the deep-rooted connections within the Stone Mountain business enclave. "We have built relationships that transcend just being business owners," Dawson said in the email thread reviewed by Decaturish.
