The city forced my business to close

[purrrfect]

I am heartbroken and devastated. In Dec2009 we made arrangements to lease a larger facility 1 block from our current location. All permits were in place and we moved last week.This past Monday I received a call from the city stating that my permits/licence had been cancelled.They had found an open building permit from 6 years ago.So they shut me down.This open permit is not on a structural issue.The building was recently sold and the new owner was totally unaware of this problem.He has taken immediate action to remedy this problem but due to city regulations there is no quick fix.I have been told to expect 1 to 2 months before I am allowed to reopen.What do I do??? How do I explain this to my clients?? Is it possible to recover from something like this? I can't open a temporary location(city regulations again) My old shop has already been rented,can't go back there.Can't groom out of my home(city regulation)
Any ideas?? please help

[ferretlov]

If yo uhave the money,maybe get a moble van to vist people untill eveything is backin order. nothing too fancy a used moble- you can sell when your done with it.

[PuppyFluffer]

Something is terribly wrong here. Regardless of which city you live in, I find it hard to believe that you have zero recourse in this matter, especially for something as simple as a paperwork issue. If it were me I would be on the phone to a bloodthirsty attorney who specializes in business law at 8:01 am tomorrow morning.

Please keep us posted.

[KarlaSnyder]

I agree with Puppy Fluffer. Fight this like a pit bull. In the interim, you could do house call for awhile, or rent space at another shop to keep your clients happy.

[purrrfect]

My blood thirsty lawyer is getting things expedited. An open permit is considered a safety issue,even though it is non-structural.The new owner must submit construction plans to reopen permit even though the work has already been done.That means hiring architect,engineer approval etc,etc.I may eventually get a settlement from the city,since this was their oversite. But what do I tell my customers now??? I have been trying to rent a mobile to park in my lot.Don't have an answer from the city on that one yet.Cuz I no longer have a business license.I have a shop in my area that will let me rent space,but my customers are very reluctant.Several have refused that offer.Oh and did I mention I no longer have a business license.So it is basically illegal to work without one.

[Maltese_mama]

Call the media! The city going after a small business owner sounds like good story to me.

[Okigroomer]

Call the media! The city going after a small business owner sounds like good story to me.

That is what I'd do too. Everyone likes to hear stories about the city going after a small business owner. Might raise some eyebrows down at City Hall.

Good Luck!

[celebpet]

Agree

Call the media, make a big stink out of the whole situation.

I would also call you insurance company. If you have good groomers insurance they may have a clause that covers lost of income due to no fault of yours. I know mobile insurance has such a clause for accidents, or major failure of equipment.

Find a mobile groomer and ask them if they are booked up if not, plead your case and ask them if you can use their mobile during their down time.

Lastly find another location, don't wait for this to get resolved really fast unless your attorney has a lot of weight to throw around. Its in the city/county/states best interest to keep you in business to keep tax revenue flowing. If you are part of a chamber have them put pressure on the city. Look beyond the city and ask for help.

[sheilabgroomer]

Call the media! The city going after a small business owner sounds like good story to me.

I was thinking the same thing. Nothing like a little bad publicity for "big government vs small business" to help them change their minds.

If you still can't work out of the bldg till the permits go through maybe you can do housecall. It would definately be cheaper and more simple than going mobile for such a short amount of time.

[poodlecrazy78]

How about?

Are there any other groomers near you? Maybe you could work out of one of their shops until you get things worked out? One of my friends/competitors had to close down for a couple of days they were working on their water lines. She called all her customers and explained what was going on. They worked at our shop for 2 days and it went well. Just a suggestion. I hope everything works out ok for you.

[baddog]

continue to do business and pay the fines

[Fast Ellie]

One other thing I would suggest is to get in touch with your State Senator and get them to put pressure on the city.

Also the city could give you a temporary U&O until the rest of the paperwork is submitted. Go before the City Council and the County council as well.

If you are licensed thru the State you still have a business license, what you don't have is a valid Use & Occupancy permit for your new location.

Keep track of everything spent and loss of income and then sue the City for recovery.

I cannot stand dealing with inept public workers. I've fought the County and the State here before and it was a hassle just because one person didn't follow thru and do their job correctly.

[kats_melody]

Call the media, get a good lawyer and hit the city with a lawsuit, sue for enough to pay your lawyer, your lost income, and for punitive damages. Make sure your lawyer is a real son of a pit bull bitch.

You might want to find out if there is someone in the planning and permits department who has a family connection to one of your competitors. Something stinks on ice here. Maybe your city's administration requires some under the table money that wasn't paid?

The plot thickens...keep us posted.

[kats_melody]

continue to do business and pay the fines

That might be tough to do. If the building does not have a certificate of occupancy, the power company, the gas company, and the water company cannot legally provide service other than through temporary hookups for testing and construction purposes. Without a business license and a certificate of occupancy, doing business is illegal and can make getting a business license difficult in the future.