LA MESA, Calif. — When you walk in the door at Act II, a 91-year-old women greets her old and new customers.
"Have you been here before?" asked Dolores Buller.
Act II, a woman's clothing resale shop, has been a fixture in the La Mesa Village for 35 of its 42 years in business and is facing a rent hike that would more than triple their current payments, according to company President Deanne Ross.
"It's going from around $1,700 right now to just about $6,000," Ross explained, fighting back tears. "I made concessions, knowing that my rent was going to go up. I thought I was offering fair market value rent, and it just wasn't good enough."
The shop was founded by Ross's mother, 91-year-old Dolores Buller, who has been instrumental in developing La Mesa Village's character. Buller helped establish signature events like Oktoberfest and Holiday in the Village, and has served on numerous community committees.
"I've worked on every committee and worked so hard to help get La Mesa where it is today," Buller said. "I can't stay away, so I come here, and it's just so fun to see the customers that we've had here for years."
Those customers, like Tiffany Mitrowke, who has been shopping at Act II for two decades, represent the deep community ties the store has fostered. "I'm walking distance, so this is definitely part of living the life in La Mesa," Mitrowke said.
While Pacific Coast Commercial, the new landlord, did not respond to requests for comment, local commercial real estate experts estimate fair market rent for the space to be between $4,000 and $8,000 monthly. A property manager for the building indicated that other new businesses in the village are paying market rates. Longtime establishments told CBS 8 they are being forced to relocate.
Though the property manager claims the landlord is working to reach an agreement with Act II, Ross says there has been no meaningful compromise. As the community rallies behind the store, its future remains uncertain.
"It just breaks my heart. It really does," Buller said, emotion evident in her voice. "But that's the way it goes."
ACT II says it lease expires at the end of the year.
CBS 8 will keep you updated on any developments in this story.
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