ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A popular cafe in St. Pete Beach has found a new location after a leasing dispute with its previous landlord.

The owners claimed that the landlord asked them to change their menu options so as not to compete with Starbucks, which is located in the same shopping complex. Cafe Soliel has been a fixture in St. Pete Beach for over a decade, so losing its previous lease caused uncertainty for both longtime customers and employees.

Spencer Brattedo is a chef who relies on the flexibility of his job schedule at the cafe, and he was affected by the move.

“I was pretty concerned when it was all first happening because I rely on this job to pay for my school,” he said. “So when we were getting kicked out, I was unsure for a month and a half.” 

Moving a commercial restaurant is a challenging task, according to Lauren Chezaud, the owner of Cafe Soliel.

“We’re still figuring out where to put everything, including the chairs,” she said.

She says they had to act quickly.

“We had to leave our previous location, which we were at for over 10 years, we weren’t given much notice,” Chezaud said.

Her restaurant was previously located at the Dolphin Village Shopping Center. After a decade, her landlord decided to lease the spot to a Starbucks franchise. She says it’s a growing trend in St. Pete Beach. 

“A lot of small businesses have had to relocate,” she said. “This was not the case when I first moved here.” 

Chezaud said they were fortunate to find a larger location just half a mile away.

“We are in the middle of construction and so thankful we have been able to keep our team on board,” she said.

The restaurant is preparing to return, and the owner says it will come back stronger and better than before. 

Chezaud’s loyal customers have played an integral role in making something she said possible.

“We are thankful to our community,” she said. “Small businesses we want to keep them alive on the beach because they are an essential part of the community.” 

Cafe Soleil is set to reopen in January with a new menu.

The restaurant’s former landlord has denied asking the owner to change any part of the menu. Brixmor Property Group stated that Cafe Soleil decided to leave the shopping center after finding another location.

A spokesperson for Starbucks told the Tampa Bay Times, “At no point did Starbucks request or compel any organization or business entity of any kind to move, change, or not renew Cafe Soleil’s business or tenancy.”