"It's a mom and pop operation with just mom," says Pat (last name withheld) of North Park antique and collectible shop Pat's Corner.
The staple boutique has been at its current location on 30th and Upas for eight years, offering an anachronistic assortment of furniture, crafts, clothing, and knick-knacks.
Now, Pat has until January 1 to clear out by order of the property owner or else face a $600 fine.
"The property was leased to some supposedly high end architecture guy," says Pat, who is currently looking for a new location. "It was a month-to-month lease, so she can do that."
Pat says the property owner also sent a letter to the cottages behind her store stating that they were over the property line.
"I've been here eight years and the owner has not done a single thing," says Pat. "The roof leaks, there's asbestos in the back, there's mold. I haven't complained at all to her. I even had the building painted myself because it looked awful."
In response, Musician and Pat's Corner regular Cervantes Magaña started a Facebook event to rally supporters, writing:
"She isn't being evicted because of a lack of business, but instead big business has decided North Park is San Diego's 'it' spot... I found out yesterday, and my heart broke... She is optimistic and resilient, she is like family to many of us and she could use our resources."
The thread has sparked a long discussion pointing fingers at primarily "hipsters" (whatever that means) and gentrification - accusations that have been lurking on the lips of North Park advocates for some time now.
"It's definitely a bummer," Pat says. "If you lined up everybody who wanted to help us, it would go down to El Cajon Boulevard. Everyone is very upset. They can't understand how it is possible. Any help anybody can give us, we would love it."
"It's a mom and pop operation with just mom," says Pat (last name withheld) of North Park antique and collectible shop Pat's Corner.
The staple boutique has been at its current location on 30th and Upas for eight years, offering an anachronistic assortment of furniture, crafts, clothing, and knick-knacks.
Now, Pat has until January 1 to clear out by order of the property owner or else face a $600 fine.
"The property was leased to some supposedly high end architecture guy," says Pat, who is currently looking for a new location. "It was a month-to-month lease, so she can do that."
Pat says the property owner also sent a letter to the cottages behind her store stating that they were over the property line.
"I've been here eight years and the owner has not done a single thing," says Pat. "The roof leaks, there's asbestos in the back, there's mold. I haven't complained at all to her. I even had the building painted myself because it looked awful."
In response, Musician and Pat's Corner regular Cervantes Magaña started a Facebook event to rally supporters, writing:
"She isn't being evicted because of a lack of business, but instead big business has decided North Park is San Diego's 'it' spot... I found out yesterday, and my heart broke... She is optimistic and resilient, she is like family to many of us and she could use our resources."
The thread has sparked a long discussion pointing fingers at primarily "hipsters" (whatever that means) and gentrification - accusations that have been lurking on the lips of North Park advocates for some time now.
"It's definitely a bummer," Pat says. "If you lined up everybody who wanted to help us, it would go down to El Cajon Boulevard. Everyone is very upset. They can't understand how it is possible. Any help anybody can give us, we would love it."