D.C. Landlord Sues Tyra Banks Over Ice Cream Shop Lease Dispute
Landlord Files $2.8 Million Suit Over D.C. Lease
D.C. landlord Christopher Powell filed a $2.8 million lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against School of Smize LLC, model Tyra Banks, and her business partner Louis Martin. The lawsuit concerns a 10-year commercial lease for an ice cream shop location in Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.
Lease Agreement and Alleged Abandonment
According to Powell’s lawsuit, he met with Tyra Banks and Louis Martin in March 2024 to discuss opening a Smize and Dream ice cream shop in his building in Eastern Market. On April 17, 2024, Martin signed a 10-year commercial lease for space in the building. Powell states in the complaint that by June 2024, Banks and Martin had abandoned the building and refused to pay rent without providing an explanation. He asserts that, by that time, he had made extensive financial investments, spent months planning the opening, and rejected other tenant applications.
Smize and Dream Operations and New Pop-Up
Smize and Dream is Tyra Banks’ ice cream company, which began as a mobile ice cream outlet in Dubai and a pre-packaged shop in Los Angeles, California. The company’s first pop-up shop was in Washington, D.C., and New York is identified as the next location planned for a pop-up. A Smize and Dream pop-up shop opened in Woodley Park, Washington, D.C., in July 2024.
Flagship Store and Stated Inspirations
In June of this year, Tyra Banks opened a flagship Smize and Dream shop in Sydney, Australia. At the time of the Woodley Park pop-up opening, Banks said her mother inspired her to open an ice cream shop. She also stated that her brother, who lived in Washington, D.C., for 28 years while serving in the military, inspired her to establish a shop in the District.
Competing Claims Over Building Space
According to the lawsuit, Powell says that in September 2024, Banks and Martin sent him a letter stating they were breaking the lease because they believed they had been promised the entire building rather than only part of it. Powell states in court documents that he informed them only two retail spaces and two office spaces on the bottom three floors were available for rent.
Notice of Termination and Conditions Alleged
Court documents indicate that Banks and Martin sent a formal notice terminating the lease on September 9, 2024. In those documents, they claimed the building had numerous mechanical, electrical, and plumbing deficiencies and that it was not in good working order. According to a motion filed by Banks and Martin, they say Powell did not respond to the termination notice until he initiated legal action in August of this year.
Legal Actions and Current Status
On August 20 of this year, Powell demanded immediate payment from Banks and Martin, according to the lawsuit. Martin and Banks responded with a letter denying any wrongdoing. In October, Powell filed the $2.8 million lawsuit against School of Smize LLC, Tyra Banks, and Louis Martin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Court documents note that Banks and Martin filed a motion to dismiss in November.
Legal Representation and Response Deadlines
Powell is represented by attorney Arziki Adamu, who is required to respond to the motion to dismiss by December 30. Adamu has stated that there is no additional comment at this time. Smize and Dream’s lawyer, Steven Jay Willner, has not yet responded.