Blenz Coffee Files Lawsuit Against Rioters

Dec 19 2017, 1:00 pm

We’ve just learned that Blenz Coffee has filed a lawsuit against the miscreants that not only vandalized its stores but also caused emotional trauma to staff and a franchise partner. Here is a copy of the press release I was able to get my hands on.

Blenz Coffee today commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia as a result of the extensive damage to three of its Downtown Vancouver stores during the June 15th, 2011 riot.

In addition to the damage and theft, a Blenz Coffee franchisee along with two staff members and a customer were trapped in the back room of one of the stores. “They were terrorized for over two hours,” said George Moen, President of Blenz Coffee.

The store at West Georgia and Richards was completely demolished and looted and remains closed. Two stores have been repaired and have been reopened for business.

“Luckily, none of our customers, staff or franchisees were physically harmed, but the psychological trauma to them has been devastating,” said Moen. “We can repair our stores, but people’s lives and businesses have been irreparably harmed.”

“Violence and vandalism, mob-induced or not, is never acceptable,” said Moen. “What happened on June 15th was not a video game. We take this very seriously.”

Blenz has extensive video and still picture evidence of the damage and looting of its three stores. In the civil lawsuit it filed today, Blenz is claiming civil damages for the property damage and theft, as well as punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages and Special Costs.

Blenz Coffee was founded in Vancouver, and we know that the actions of a few are not representative of the whole of Vancouver.

“We expect the individual perpetrators involved in the riots to own up to their responsibilities”, said Moen. “We will name and serve individual defendants. We are offering them a chance to get in front of the civil suit we have filed. This is an opportunity for those involved to do the right thing and accept the consequences for their actions.”

Blenz is willing to consider all voluntary acknowledgments of responsibility from those responsible and attempt to work toward an early out of court settlement.

Settlement offers may include admissions, apologies, return of Blenz property and acceptable arrangements to compensate Blenz and its franchisees. Those responsible should contact Blenz Coffee or its legal counsel immediately.

Blenz Coffee                                                                           Legal Counsel:
Suite 300 – 535 Thurlow Street                                     John Douglas Shields
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3L2                       Shields Harney
(604)682-2995                                                                     490 – 1177 West Hastings Street
ATTN: George Moen                                                           Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3
(604) 682-7770

George Moen, President of Blenz Coffee, is available for media comments at (604) 317-3453.

Kudos to Blenz for taking these punks to court!

 

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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