Tyra Banks and her business partner are facing a $2.8 million lawsuit from a D.C. landlord who claims they abandoned a 10-year lease for an ice-cream shop. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the pair left the premises in June 2024 without paying rent or providing an explanation. The case has drawn attention because the shop, part of Banks’ Smize and Dream brand, had recently opened a pop-up in the city’s Eastern Market district.
The Lease and the Opening
In March 2024, Christopher Powell, the landlord of a building in Eastern Market, met with Banks and her partner, Louis Martin, to discuss opening a Smize and Dream outlet. On April 17 2024, Martin signed a 10-year commercial lease, according to Powell’s lawsuit. The lease was meant to secure the shop’s location for a decade, but the parties reportedly failed to meet the terms.
The Fallout and Legal Proceedings
Powell says he invested “extensive financial investment” and spent months planning the opening while rejecting other applicants for tenancy. By June 2024, Banks and Martin abandoned the building, refused to pay rent, and left no explanation. A few weeks later, Powell struggled with the “legal and financial fallout” from their departure. He noted that former Vice President Kamala Harris was seen eating ice-cream at a Smize and Dream pop-up a few miles away in Woodley Park.
The pop-up shop in Eastern Market opened in July 2024. Banks has said that her mother inspired her to open an ice-cream shop, while her brother-who lived in D.C. for 28 years while serving in the military-motivated her to locate it in the District. In June 2024, Banks also opened a flagship Smize and Dream shop in Sydney, Australia.
The Lease Termination Letter and Deficiencies
According to the lawsuit, Powell claims that Banks and Martin sent a letter in September 2024 stating they were breaking the lease because they were promised the entire building, not just a portion. Powell argues that only two retail spaces and two office spaces were available on the building’s bottom three floors. Banks and Martin filed a motion to dismiss in November, but the court documents show that they had sent a formal notice of terminating the lease on September 9 2024. The notice cited that the building had “myriad mechanical, electrical, and plumbing deficiencies” and was “not in good working order.”
Banks and Martin say Powell did not respond to the notice until he sued in August of this year. On August 20 2024, Powell demanded immediate payment, and Banks and Martin replied with a letter denying any wrongdoing. In October, Powell filed the $2.8 million lawsuit against School of Smize LLC, Banks and Martin.
Powell’s lawyer, Arziki Adamu, must respond to the motion by December 30. News4 reached out to Smize and Dream and Powell’s lawyers for comment. Adamu said they have no additional comment at this time. Smize and Dream’s lawyer, Steven Jay Willner, has not responded yet.
Key Takeaways
- Tyra Banks and partner Louis Martin are sued for $2.8 million over a breached 10-year lease.
- The lease was signed on April 17 2024, but the shop was abandoned in June 2024.
- The lawsuit cites building deficiencies and promises of the whole building that were not fulfilled.
The case underscores the legal risks of pop-up ventures and the importance of clear lease terms. While the outcome remains pending, the dispute highlights how quickly a business partnership can turn into a costly legal battle.
