Rick’s Steaks Court Update

Today could be the day the fate of Rick’s Steaks is decided. Proceedings begin today between owner Rick Olivieri, his attorney and Reading Terminal Market reps in Common Pleas Court:


Olivieri said this morning it’s possible the judge will steer the parties toward a settlement.

“Hopefully, we can work something out,” Olivieri, 43, said.

Last month, the judge ruled that the market had the right to evict Rick’s and collect punitive damages for its overstaying the lease.

In February, Bernstein pruned away all but one of Olivieri’s original 11 counts. The remaining count concerns whether Olivieri deserves compensation for renovations done after what he said was an oral promise of a new lease.

“I was guaranteed a lease,” Olivieri said this morning. “I was told I was getting a lease.”

The title of the Inquirer’s piece, Last gasp in court for Rick’s Steaks? gives a good idea (unfortunately) about the estimated odds for the venerable steak purveyor from many observers.

Last gasp in court for Rick’s Steaks? [Inquirer]
Rick’s Steaks [MenuPages]
Rick’s Steaks [Official Site]

Rick’s Steaks Court Update