Erewhon, the luxe California-based grocery store chain where customers can buy a $22 smoothie, is behind on rent at one of its Los Angeles outlets, according to a report.
Erewhon is being sued by its Culver City store’s landlord, Hackman Capital Partners, for more than $275,000 over claims that it’s behind on its $85,000-a-month rent, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The infamously luxurious grocery store, known for its pricey offerings, like smoothies that cost upwards of $20 and $19 strawberries, would need to gross more than $1 million a week to cover its Culver City rent, according to one expert quoted by the Los Angeles Times. “Erewhon could be doing fabulously and still not be doing $1 million in sales a week,” real estate consultant David Greensfelder said.
In addition to rent, maintenance charges, taxes, and other fees would likely push Erewhon’s monthly property bill to over $100,000 for that location alone, according to the report.
Even though the grocer has “famously high prices,” Greensfelder said, it still “takes a lot of those sales to support $105,000 in rent,” he told the outlet.
In a breach-of-lease complaint filed in Superior Court, Hackman Capital Partners claimed that Erewhon is liable for more than $275,000 in late rent and legal fees.
The Independent has contacted Erewhon and Hackman Capital Partners for comment.
It’s not the first legal dispute Erewhon has gotten into involving its rent.
The grocer’s landlord in Studio City has claimed that Erewhon fell behind in rent there. Meanwhile, Erewhon accused the landlord, Midwood Investment and Development, of improperly increasing rent.
The chain, which was founded in Los Angeles, has several locations in some of Southern California’s wealthiest neighborhoods.
Founded in 1966, Erewhon is known for its $10 to $20 smoothies, made with high-quality and organic ingredients. Some of the smoothies — which have been a luxury status symbol in Los Angeles — are made through partnerships with celebrities, like Hailey Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid.
The brand has also made headlines for selling expensive food products, like a single Japanese strawberry for $19, sea moss shells for $40, and specialty water bottles for $25.
