Overview
- The city, which sealed the storefront with concrete blocks and grilles on April 14 for opening without prior authorization, was ordered on April 18 by the Montreuil administrative court to clear the obstacles as “manifestly illegal.”
- After the blocks were taken away, workers set oversized flower pots in front of the entrance, and Master Poulet’s lawyer filed an emergency petition to remove them, saying they contained fertilizer that smelled like excrement.
- The mayor says the outlet lacks required approvals, citing an unauthorized veranda, and argues the chain clashes with the city’s goal of improving food quality.
- Master Poulet says the site was already meant for restaurant use, reports losing at least €25,000 in stock during the shutdown, and plans to seek damages.
- The dispute has widened into politics, with the city filing a defamation complaint over accusatory banners on the facade and an LFI lawmaker accusing the mayor of racism for opposing the shop.