Westville’s longtime neighborhood anchor, Manjares Café, received a notice on August 12 that its lease will not be renewed. The landlord, ArLoW (ArtLoftsWest), cited an outstanding balance of $29,819.55 and gave the restaurant until September 30 to vacate the space at 838 Whalley Ave., Units B & C.
Lease non‑renewal, not eviction
ArLoW’s founding member Thea Buxbaum emphasized the decision is a lease non‑renewal, not a formal eviction. No court action has been filed and De Los Angeles has not received a notice to quit. Buxbaum said the landlord will credit $11,000 toward the debt by retaining a walk‑in cooler and stove hood, reducing the amount owed to $18,819.55. September’s rent of $4,819.67 will be forgiven if the premises are surrendered on time and in good condition.
Owner’s appeal
Restaurant owner Ana De Los Angeles, who opened Manjares in July 2009, acknowledges the debt but says she is not refusing to pay. She fell roughly four months behind on rent after the COVID‑19 pandemic and rising costs strained the business. “When money was short, we prioritized utilities and payroll,” she explained. De Los Angeles hopes a loan from the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund (CT Boost) could help repay the balance, but ArLoW concluded the additional $60,000 debt would not be sustainable.
Community impact
Manjares is more than a café; it serves as a community hub where students study, nursing mothers gather, and local politicians hold events. Mayor Justin Elicker hosted his first two campaign events there, and longtime resident Lizzy Donius calls it “the living room for our neighborhood.” The restaurant seats about 80 and has been described as an “anchor” for Westville Village.
Call for support
De Los Angeles is not seeking handouts but asks the community to rally behind the business. “It would be a shame if a place where a community gathers every day stopped existing,” she said. She plans to consult an attorney and hopes to negotiate a payment plan that would allow Manjares to remain a family‑friendly gathering spot.
What’s next?
ArLoW expects the space to be vacated by the September 30 deadline but indicated some flexibility on timing. The landlord also noted that when the space is re‑leased, rent will be brought to market level. For now, Westville residents and supporters are watching closely to see if a solution can be found to keep Manjares open.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
