Avance May Face Eviction After Sale of 1523 Walnut

Georges Perrier, long-time owner of the space that once housed Le Bec Fin, lost ownership of the building in a sheriff's sale, as reported yesterday by Victor Fiorillo. The sale came after a judgment against Perrier concerning an unpaid loan for now-shuttered Table 31. (Fiorillo's accounting speculated that the default may have been a calculated move tied to Perrier's legal issues with his ex-wife.)

Now, Michael Klein is reporting that the location's current tenant, Avance, is facing eviction. The building's new ownership, listed as WA Financial Partners L.P. (which Fiorillo ties to developer Pearl Properties, who have worked with DiBruno Bros., Marc Vetri, and CookNSolo), says the restaurant owes two months' rent.

Avance — whose ownership team includes chef Justin Bogle and former LBF partner Chris Scarduzio — opened in December to exceedingly high expectations. It has not been critically well-received, and there was some potentially troubling turnover very early on. UPDATED: Foobooz has the following quote from (former) partner Chris Scarduzio:

"I have nothing to do with Avance anymore. And I'd like to keep it that way."

Ouch. More as the story develops.
· Georges Perrier Loses LBF Building in Sheriff's Sale [Foobooz]
· Landlord sues to evict Avance [Philly.com]
· All Avance Coverage [-EPHI-]