Coffee Shop Owner Threatened By E-Mail
By Jessica Rocha, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C.
Mar. 2–CHAPEL HILL — The founder of the old Wellspring market and current owner of 3 Cups coffee shop told Chapel Hill police Wednesday his landlord threatened to break his nose.
Lex Alexander received a message from property owner Spencer Young’s e-mail address this week concerning a dispute over construction at The Courtyard buildings at 431 W. Franklin St. and use of an adjacent parking lot.
In the last paragraph of the message, which also was sent to town personnel, business associates and The News & Observer, it states:
“One last point to make myself abundantly clear — and which I assume sole responsibility for: If I ever catch you in another one of your under-minded subversive dirty tricks (including your other mutinous antics many tenants have advised me of), I will personally break your [expletive] nose in a manner that will be so devastating, you will be reminded of your incorrigibility every time you look in the mirror.”
The message was signed “Spencer.”
It is unclear what the person who sent the e-mail was accusing Alexander of doing. Reached by phone Thursday, Young declined to comment.
Alexander said he did not feel threatened by the message and would not press charges or seek a restraining order against Young.
The message mentions an ongoing dispute between Young and the owner of parking spaces behind his property. It is not clear how Alexander is involved because he does not own the spaces.
Young bought The Courtyard in September 2005.
The Courtyard also houses the French restaurant Bonne Soiree, the Sandwhich and Penang restaurants, and shops and offices.
Staff writer Jessica Rocha can be reached at 932-2008 or jessica.rocha@newsobserver.com.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C.
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