Moral Question hedging on the ridiculous!

[DanB]

Okay, as a business person, my business has grown through the recession to the point I need more space. I am locked into a lease for 27 more months, but the business next to mine is facing a lot of financial problems where they have been unable to make rent. I have tried to work with them to take over part of their space so their rent wasn’t so high, while giving me the space I need. They have been unwilling to help me to the point now the landlord said I can have their space if I give him a letter of intent.
This tenant now considers me an enemy and point blank told me “if you take away my business and way of living, I will die.” Talk about trying to put the guilt trip on me. Anyway, what do you say…am I responsible for her life if I need the space and she does herself in? Do you think I ought to call the hotline on her?
Not that I’m not empathic to her plight, because I am, I think she is being ridulous for making me the one responsible for her life.

 

[Steel_Pinwheel]

I don’t understand why she won’t share the space, for his own financial sake. Does she need all that space for her business to be viable?

Do you have alternatives, like longer hours or using the sidewalk during business hours? Maybe reorganize to make better use of the space you have. Maybe even start a second location.

My opinion, don’t pull the rug out from under her. This will regain her has a friend who might share space. And, if she continues to not be able to make the rent, the landlord will eventually ask her to leave and you won’t be the bad guy, but you’ll still get the space. If the landlord lets her keep the space, be happy for her, even if it costs you. This is a great opportunity to build treasure in Heaven.

 

[hxcCatholic413]

I don’t understand why she won’t share the space, for his own financial sake. Does she need all that space for her business to be viable?

Do you have alternatives, like longer hours or using the sidewalk during business hours? Maybe reorganize to make better use of the space you have. Maybe even start a second location.

My opinion, don’t pull the rug out from under her. This will regain her has a friend who might share space. And, if she continues to not be able to make the rent, the landlord will eventually ask her to leave and you won’t be the bad guy, but you’ll still get the space. If the landlord lets her keep the space, be happy for her, even if it costs you. This is a great opportunity to build treasure in Heaven.

great response

 

[joandarc2008]

Maybe sometimes it is all in the approach and I am not saying your approach was not good before but maybe she didn’t hear it the way you meant it due to the enormous amount of stress she is under.

Maybe saying something like this in writing:

Dear Ms ****,

I believe in Christian charity and I want to help you. I know that you are struggling and I want to be able to see you be able to keep your business. In order to do this I would like to rent some of your space from you which would increase your profit and give me the space I so desperately need. This would help us both and truly we would be treating each other as neighbors during this Holiday season.

Is there anything else that we can do for each other that would enable us to be better neighbors and enable both of our businesses to grow and flourish as when both of our businesses are busy it will succeed in bringing more business to us both.

Merry Christmas,

Mr X

Just a thought

 

[DanB]

I thank each of you for wonderful responses. Yes, I have considered getting a second location and I have been very kind to her in requesting extra space. She just doesn’t get it, both my wife and I have tried to get her to understand. I do feel bad for her, because she has a wonderful product, but she is earning in the negative. She told me she was going to claim bankruptcy, now it’s like she’s grasping at straws to stay afloat.
The major problem with her space is her kitchen. She bought into restraunt that at one time was prosperous. If it could be moved that would be great, but it would cost her more then $150K to move. I’ve offered to swap her spaces, but she doesn’t have funds to even change light bulbs in her place of business. Even at that someone has to shut down during the buildout process, so no business for a couple of months. Even the space she would be willing to give me, which would be fine will cost a lot of to buildout in which the landlord won’t sign off.
At this point, she really is her own worst enemy. She can see the train coming down the tracks, but is unwilling to get off. That’s were the whole issue gets sticky whether its a personal decision vs. a business decision and weighing the pros and cons. I’d rather do nothing, but feel I have 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag and have been very patient and requesting for the past 18months without resolution.