A court hearing is set to hear a dispute over the tenancy of a Downtown Brighton storefront.

Patrick Tortora, the landlord of the building at 306 W. Main Street, currently occupied by Beverly Rae’s, has filed suit to evict the owners of the longtime women’s clothing store. A court hearing is set Thursday in 53rd District Court to hear the dispute that began last fall when word first surfaced that a coffeehouse and part-time theater was being considered for the location. That was news to Beverly Rae’s owners, Debbie and Tom Carley, who have operated the store for 25 years, the last eleven at that location. The Carley’s said they have a lease until 2020.

Brighton City Council last month approved a special land use permit for Marcus and Amy Goller to operate a part-time theater in the building. Because the coffee shop was already a permitted use in that area, the special land use permit was needed only for the theater operation. Amy Goller told council she wants to use the second floor of the building as a place for acting lessons for children.

However, final site plans would still need approval from the city and officials say they have not received any site plans or additional requests related to the proposed coffeehouse and theater. (JK)