Captain Buzzy’s Beanery at East Broad and North 27th streets. (Photos by Brandy Brubaker)
Things are heating up in the legal battle over a Church Hill coffee shop.
Kimberly Chen, who in late 2013 was sued by Captain Buzzy’s Beanery, wants the civil case tossed out of Richmond Circuit Court, arguing in her response that the suit failed to make a valid legal claim.
Bob Buffington
Captain Buzzy’s, owned by Bob Buffington, sued Chen and other neighbors, including the Church Hill Association and two local businesses, after a dustup over a special-use permit Buffington requested in a bid to sell beer and wine and keep his shop open an additional hour.
Specifically regarding Chen, the coffee shop alleges that she has a “personal vendetta” against Buffington and that she sent emails to city council members with a survey that falsely indicated opposition to Buffington’s plan.
The lawsuit alleges that the Church Hill Association – the local neighborhood group – supported Buffington’s request until a few neighbors “hijacked” the association, ignored its bylaws and deceived association members, city planning commissioners and city council members in an effort to get the permit denied. City Council voted against Captain Buzzy’s request in October.
In addition to seeking more than $3 million in damages, the lawsuit asks the court to appoint a “special master to un-hijack the association.”
Chen’s response, filed by attorney Raymond Sinnott III of Sinnott Nuckols & Logan in Midlothian, is the first filed by any of the defendants, according to court records. In addition to the dismissal, Chen requests reimbursement for her defense costs. Sinnott did not respond to a request for comment.
Buffington and his shop at 2623 E. Broad St. are represented by attorney D. Hayden Fisher of Richmond-based Fisher Clarke.
Captain Buzzy’s Beanery at East Broad and North 27th streets. (Photos by Brandy Brubaker)
Things are heating up in the legal battle over a Church Hill coffee shop.
Kimberly Chen, who in late 2013 was sued by Captain Buzzy’s Beanery, wants the civil case tossed out of Richmond Circuit Court, arguing in her response that the suit failed to make a valid legal claim.
Bob Buffington
Captain Buzzy’s, owned by Bob Buffington, sued Chen and other neighbors, including the Church Hill Association and two local businesses, after a dustup over a special-use permit Buffington requested in a bid to sell beer and wine and keep his shop open an additional hour.
Specifically regarding Chen, the coffee shop alleges that she has a “personal vendetta” against Buffington and that she sent emails to city council members with a survey that falsely indicated opposition to Buffington’s plan.
The lawsuit alleges that the Church Hill Association – the local neighborhood group – supported Buffington’s request until a few neighbors “hijacked” the association, ignored its bylaws and deceived association members, city planning commissioners and city council members in an effort to get the permit denied. City Council voted against Captain Buzzy’s request in October.
In addition to seeking more than $3 million in damages, the lawsuit asks the court to appoint a “special master to un-hijack the association.”
Chen’s response, filed by attorney Raymond Sinnott III of Sinnott Nuckols & Logan in Midlothian, is the first filed by any of the defendants, according to court records. In addition to the dismissal, Chen requests reimbursement for her defense costs. Sinnott did not respond to a request for comment.
Buffington and his shop at 2623 E. Broad St. are represented by attorney D. Hayden Fisher of Richmond-based Fisher Clarke.