Salty's on the Columbia Space in Midst of Legal Wrangling

Photo of Salty's courtesy Momo B. via Yelp

More details have surfaced in the ongoing renovation of Salty's on the Columbia, and as last week's rumor mill suggested, things are a little more complicated than a mere "unforeseen maintenance issue." The two parties are heading to court: WWeek reports that Salty's landlord Peter van Schoonhoven has "barred" the 26-year-old restaurant from the space, saying Salty's owners owe him money for back rent and cost of repairs. Salty's ownership does not deny its debts, but claims a settlement agreement had been reached and that the restaurant had not been legally evicted; instead, it was "surprisingly" shut out by Schoonhoven's repair crews.

And as tipsters suggested, longtime Salty's manager Linda Addy is planning an entirely new concept for the space (OLCC paperwork confirms the seafood restaurant will/would be called Catch). Salty's, meanwhile, is still taking reservations and gift card purchases on its official website, writing on Facebook that it still anticipates to re-open — as Salty's — in mid-October. Per WW: "A hearing scheduled for Thursday, October 3 will decide whether Salty's will be allowed to control the property pending a court date in February of next year."
· Mutiny on Salty's on the Columbia [WWeek]
· All Previous Salty's Coverage [Eater PDX]