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Bookstore Owner Fights City Over Vacate Order
8 Apr
Summary
- Fire in parking garage led to bookstore closure.
- Owner claims city denied appeal without lawyer present.
- Incomplete permit application delays bookstore reopening.
Rabbit Hole Books has been shuttered for two months after a fire in the adjacent parking garage on W. First Street on February 12th prompted a city-issued vacate order. The city cited structural concerns in the garage, such as cracked columns and exposed rebar, as reasons for deeming the building unsafe.
Owner Larkin Vonault expressed her frustration, questioning the city's lack of assistance and claiming her lawyer was not notified about the appeal hearing, which resulted in the vacate order being denied. Despite these setbacks, the building owner has applied for a permit for facade work, which could allow the business to reopen.
A city spokesperson indicated the permit application remains incomplete and requires revisions. Vonault believes her store and the garage are safe and wants to proceed with repairs, but faces delays due to the ongoing permit process. The salon owner on the ground floor has already moved her equipment out.
