HUBBARD, Ohio - The operators of the soon-to-close Save-A-Lot grocery store on West Liberty Street in Hubbard are denying ever falling behind on their rent, despite a landlord's claims to the contrary. 

In a statement issued Tuesday through their attorneys, Hubbard Food Store, LLC, said they had been operating on an oral agreement with the building owner, Donn McConnell since their five-year least expired in 2016. 

The store operators claim to have never missed a rent payment during the course of their lease or the time since it expired and say they had agreed to a 67 percent rent increase, but that ultimately McConnell had decided to initiate eviction proceedings. 

McConnell, operating officially as 880 West Liberty, LLC, filed an eviction action in November of 2023 claiming that the store owed $425,074.70 in unpaid rent under the terms of their oral rental agreement. 

"For clarity, Hubbard Food Store has made all payments as agreed to by the parties, and does not owe the landlord $400,000 as claimed in its complaint," the statement from the tenant reads. 

Also at issue are repairs to the building's roof that are estimated at $220,000 which McConnell has said the tenant is responsible for under the terms of their agreement. 

A mediation hearing was held on Friday, March 15, in a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement, but after more than two hours behind closed doors, both sides remained at an impasse. 

McConnell said he plans to meet with other grocers in an attempt to bring another store to the same location. 

No official closing date has been set for the Hubbard store, but it remained open as of Tuesday afternoon.