SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Grocery chain Jimbo’s Naturally is suing Horton Plaza, saying the San Diego shopping center hasn’t honored its obligation to keep the mall in good condition.
According to the lawsuit, Jimbo’s entered into contract negotiations with Horton Plaza in 2012, at which time Westfield said it would be investing $400 million into the plaza.
The lease, later signed by the store in May of 2012, required Jimbo’s to spend $1.5 million on the design and construction of the store. In the lawsuit, the grocery chain said it spent an excess of $5 million on the project.
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After signing the lease, the complaint states that “Westfield apparently abandoned its plans to renovate Horton Plaza and decided to sell the mall instead.”
The complaint goes on to say that Westfield allowed tenants, like Nordstrom, to leave, which cost the store foot traffic and left the mall feeling “desolate and abandoned.”
Recently, Jimbo's says it has been forced to hire a security guard, adding that the plaza is a place “where crime has flourished and shoppers and retailers are concerned for their personal safety.”
According to crimemapping.com, over the last week, one robbery happened on June 2 outside Horton Plaza.
Over the last month, the site reports several other crimes that happened within Horton Plaza, including vandalism and fraud.
The store is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
10News has reached out the Westfield for a comment but has yet to hear back.
