by KYW's Mike Dunn
Rick's Steaks appears to have lost its battle to stay in the Reading Terminal Market. A judge has ruled that market management has the right to refuse to give Rick a new lease (see related story).
Rick Olivieri (above in file photo) and Terminal Market management were expected to be in court on Monday, with their attorneys arguing over some remaining issues in this long-running dispute. But Judge Mark Bernstein on May 9th quietly issued the key ruling -- a summary judgment that the Market has the right to refuse to offer a new lease to Rick's Steaks.
Market officials apparently chose not to publicize this legal victory at the time because related matters are still before the judge. KYW Newsradio learned of it while preparing stories in advance of Monday's civil trial.
Olivieri himself would not comment on the ruling:
"That's getting a little too legal for me, you might want to contact my attorney about that."
Nonetheless, Olivieri sounded resigned to his eventual departure:
"Will I miss the market when I leave? Absolutely, it's like a family in this place."
Olivieri's attorney did not return our calls seeking comment. Likewise, the attorney for the Market would not comment, and it's not clear when the market will demand that Olivieri vacate his space.
Olivieri was originally ordered to vacate by the end of July 2007. He sued and the market countersued, and Rick's has remained open as the legal battle was fought (see related story).
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