Tory Leader’s Business Evicted from Corydon Avenue Location

A business associated with Obby Khan, leader of the Progressive Conservatives in Manitoba, has been evicted from its premises on Corydon Avenue. The management company for the property issued an eviction notice on August 15, 2023, citing violations of the lease agreement, specifically for failing to maintain active business operations.

The eviction notice was directed to OKTJGCT Corporation, which lists Khan as its director in a disclosure statement filed on August 10. According to the notice, the company was terminated “effective immediately” due to the business being inactive for over seven days. Local reports indicate that Green Carrot Juice Co., the tenant in question, had not operated for several weeks prior to the eviction.

Several neighboring businesses and local residents observed that the juice shop had been closed for an extended period. “According to our leases, you can’t leave your business unattended, and it’s been closed for a month,” noted a staff member from a nearby business, adding that rumors suggested a new tenant might take over the location.

A sign posted on the storefront indicated it was “temporarily closed until further notice” due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The property owner declined to provide any comments regarding the situation.

Green Carrot Juice Co. originally opened in Osborne Village in 2014, where it operated for nearly ten years before closing last year. The company expanded to include locations at Winnipeg’s airport and inside Goodlife Fitness in the Refinery District, but both have also since shut down.

In 2022, Jones and Company Wine Merchants filed a lawsuit against Khan, claiming he failed to repay $560,000 in financial support for Green Carrot Juice Co. The lawsuit remains unresolved, as Khan requested its dismissal later that year.

Political analysts suggest that the eviction may not reflect any wrongdoing on Khan’s part but could be poorly timed with an upcoming byelection in the Spruce Woods constituency. Christopher Adams, a political studies professor at the University of Manitoba, commented, “It’s not as if he’s done something unlawful or unethical… but I’m sure it doesn’t help during the Spruce Woods byelection period.”

Balancing the responsibilities of political leadership while managing a business can prove challenging. Adams referenced the example of independent MLA Mark Wasyliw, who faced scrutiny for prioritizing his legal career over political duties.

Despite the eviction, Khan downplayed the situation in a brief emailed statement, referring to the notice as a “formality.” He confirmed that the tenant had ceased operations at the location but did not elaborate further.

As the political landscape shifts with the impending byelection, the implications of this eviction may resonate beyond the immediate business concerns, highlighting the complexities of leadership in both the political and commercial arenas.