WICKER PARK — The eviction case against the Double Door on Thursday was continued until Jan. 8 with an attorney vowing to keep the music venue at its longtime Milwaukee Avenue location.
But Bonita Stone, a lawyer for the landlord of the building occupied by the club, says the owners of the site are adamant the Double Door must go.
Cary Schiff, a lawyer for the owner of Double Door, who has continued to sell tickets to future shows even as his landlord pushes to get rid of the club, said on Thursday, "I am highly confident that we are going to prevail" but declined to elaborate further on how the club plans to win its case.
Ahead of a forcible detainer or "eviction court" status hearing Thursday at the Daley Center, Stone said she thought Double Door's co-owner Sean Mulroney would make a jury demand and ask for a new judge. That request didn't happen, according to court documents.
Stone said regardless of the tactics Double Door lawyers take, "I have a written contract that says we are entitled to our property. We have a lease, it has expired, it's time for them to go. Last time I checked, this is America and we can do that."
The owners of Double Door, which has played host to wide-ranging acts including the Rolling Stones, Rise Against and Sonic Youth, had 180 days to renew their lease for the building at 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. before it expired Oct. 31, according to Stone.
After the date passed, the landlord filed a legal complaint asking for a judge to order the eviction. When asked if Double Door has paid rent since Oct. 31, Stone said "no."
"They have not paid rent and we will not accept rent. The court will order them to pay back rent and they will be evicted," Stone said.
Stone acknowledged that due to the popularity of Double Door and its long history in the neighborhood, "there are a lot of people interested in its fate" but added, "I represent a landlord who wants his property back. They can delay it but only for so long."
Mulroney, and partner Joe Shanahan, owner of Metro, have declined multiple requests for comment. However, Mulroney has said, "No shows coming up are in danger; [and for those concerned] we will sell the ticket on the day of the show."
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