Overview
- Landlord Christopher Powell alleges Banks, her nonprofit School of SMiZE, Smize & Dream, and partner Louis Martin signed a 10-year lease in April 2024 for a D.C. flagship and then walked away that June without paying rent.
- Powell’s complaint seeks at least $2,831,331 plus late fees, interest, additional rent, attorneys’ fees, and reletting costs under the lease.
- Defense attorney Steven Willner moved to dismiss on Nov. 11, arguing lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim, according to the court docket.
- Judge Amy Berman Jackson granted Powell an extension on Nov. 21 and ordered the response to the dismissal motion by Dec. 16.
- The complaint says Banks promoted designs for a Sydney location and held a nearby pop-up after leaving the D.C. site, and public reports note the brand’s Sydney flagship and a limited U.S. rollout with its viral ‘hot ice cream’ product.