Save V Ξ N U S ♀ studio & event space

Hello my name is ALANA ROSE and on February 8, 2025 MY LANDLORD performed a lockout on my business VENUS studio & event space at 571 LINCOLN RD. in WALKERVILLE, Windsor, ON.

My landlords changed my locks with a contracted third party bailiff company — entering my property and business without notice and without me present — bolting the door shut from the inside, retaining its’ entire contents worth upwards of $100,000, restricting access entirely — only until I had local law enforcement escort me to do a wellness check and water my 30+ plants valued upwards of $7000 — all had also been held hostage in this process.

It’s my understanding that a landlord can only evict, *with* notice but they cannot ALSO retain your unit’s contents - only one or the other must be done, especially with a hired third-party BAILIFF. In the event contents are retained, this option involves an appraisal process. None of these legal processes were followed.

This Landlord and her company continue to cause distress, harm, theft of my belongings and subsequent revenue loss to my businesses VENUS Studio & Event Space and Bella Brows Windsor with each day they do not allow access to my business.

THE EVENTS AT LARGE:

These landlords were continuously bullying and causing disruptions to my business for the entire term of my tenancy from July 2023 up until September 2024 — at which time I ONLY chose to resign for 3 years (less $100/month for the troubles I had already endured) — under the terms that the building was being sold, I would have new landlords and if I had any tenant issues, they would be resolved through the *brokerage.*

Since then, these same landlords have continued to bully and cause almost daily disruptions and distress, rack up thousands of dollars in utility bills under my name using the basement of my unit for their workshop, incomplete repairs, disruptions to tattoo appointments and most recently — the landlord's husband put his hands on me on January 31st, 2025 - I have a case number with Windsor Police Department.

These landlords owed me *thousands* of dollars for this and I was in consistent co-operation and common with the Real Estate Representative handling the lease, as well as my landlord, to pay *me* (as evidenced by an email sent on JAN. 20, 2025). After I replied to said email with a detailed document indicating the amount owing — I received ZERO reply from both parties.

**On February 8, 2025 this lockout was a direct retaliation to the money owed to ME and incident with her husband. Everything was done without notice and unlawfully.**

I was promised they would no longer be my landlords as they had sold the building (I was in cooperation with inspections in January) - and the closing date is for April.

Sidenote: These landlords are immigrants — one has dual citizenship but her husband does not — he has exhausted their work visa of greater than 6 months as they do not live in Canada (they reside in Mexico) and are operating under the laws that they aren't privvy to. Formal complaints have been made to the RECO about their actions and mistreatment.

As more information falls into my lap, it’s also my understanding that a business selling vintage clothing are previous tenants of these same landlords and once occupied the commercial space prior to 7 Spices Restaurant (current tenant directly on Wyandotte, in the same building as my studio VENUS Studio & Event Space) — this business was bulldozed in the same way as myself — these same landlords changed their locks and ultimately were told in the end BY THE POLICE that they needed to properly evict someone through the court systems and were illegally changing their locks.

I’ve been informed by multiple sources that the only legal process of evicting a tenant is by way of applications through the Super Court of Justice in which a Sheriff can only enforce. I’m in direct communication with Grace at the Sheriff’s office about this ordeal.

Important to note: A brokerage came in this past September to re-sign all business leases for the tenants at this building - solidifying long-term leases. Which is why I re-signed for three more years at this time (less $100 monthly for the troubles I had already endured for the last 1+ year of tenancy under these same landlords).

The brokerage and current owners of the building wanted long-term leases in place with the existing 3 viable/successful businesses at this same building/location as my studio at 571 LINCOLN. RD - I was told these new owners wanted "to maintain the integrity of the building and its tenants both commercial downstairs and residential upstairs."

There was no intention to dissolve any leases or create something different with this building. I was assured during inspections by the purchasing real estate agent that I would be "extremely happy with the new owners as they were two gentlemen from the GTA area who were extremely responsive as landlords and I was assured communication and property maintenance would be a priority.

So — the ultimate resolution to this situation will be to serve them for their bullying, harassment, revenue loss and the endless list of other unjust actions they’ve inflicted on myself since becoming a tenant in July 2023 (I have photos, videos and text correspondence as proof) — then move forward *positively* with the new owners of the building as a (hopefully) happy and respected tenant.

WHY A GOFUNDME?! — In order for me to properly regain possession of this unit, I will have to file a motion, which would then start the process of filing an injunction. The minimum retainer fee for these actions is $10,000. I’m starting this GoFundMe page as it means to help fund these actions — but, I assure you, in this retaliatory lawsuit, I am asking for my lawyer’s fees to be paid for. In doing so I will take this amount (whatever amount is raised) and promise to match it towards a charity and/or nonprofit organization.

Please know that I am so incredibly touched and moved by everyone’s kind words and support — in any way, shape or form — monetarily or not.

Today marks March 4, 2025 and my business has almost been closed for an entire month with its entire contents held hostage. I’ve been told I will be able to retrieve these contents in 48 hours from now — so, let’s hope all goes to plan.

I appreciate your co-operation in gaining rightful access to my business at this time.

With all of the light and love,

Sincerely,

Alana Gemelli RRT, CRTO

Owner/founder of VENUS studio & event space | Bella Brows Windsor PMU

(519)-519-567-1371

[email redacted]

#operationgetmybusinesaback