By Sara Beth Williams–
After more than a year and a half of reportedly operating without a working HVAC system, a local thrift store’s long-running issue has finally been resolved — though other concerns remain.
In early August, The Sentinel interviewed Whatsupstairs thrift store co-owner Anthony Iacolino about the ongoing issue and then reached out to property owner Tom Romeo, CEO of Romeo and Juliette Brands, which owns Bearpaw Outlet and several other properties at Sylvan Corners. Property management company GQNorth was also contacted, and forwarded all emails to the property owner. The air conditioning issue was resolved within several weeks of The Sentinel’s inquiry.
On Aug. 14, Logan Farfan, accounting manager with Romeo & Juliette, Inc., said property management had only recently been made aware of the air conditioning problem and that “no formal complaints or maintenance requests” had been submitted by Whatsupstairs owners in the past.
Iacolino alleged that a prior property management company had sent technicians out multiple times in response to his complaints, though the unit was never repaired.
The building has also experienced other issues in the past 21 months, including plumbing problems, a leaking roof, and insufficient exterior lighting. Iacolino alleged that broken lighting in the parking lot contributed to two major jewelry burglaries at the store earlier this summer.
Responding to claims regarding lighting, Farfan said four new wall pack lights were installed on the building, including two near the thrift store, and that parking lot lighting has “remained operational throughout their tenancy,” aside from one light that was promptly fixed.
In a followup interview on Sept. 3, Iacolino confirmed the air conditioning had been replaced. However, he expressed frustration that other issues remained unresolved, including two holes in the store’s ceiling, and water damage to the ceiling.
In a followup email response, Farfan said roof leaks were previously repaired when the property management was made aware of the situation last season, but Iacolino disputes that.
On a visit to the store on Sept. 10, The Sentinel found two holes in separate areas of the store’s ceiling. One large hole could be seen in a corner of the store where merchandise was for sale. Another corner, located in a back storage area, could be seen with visible water damage having warped the corner of the roof. An employee with Whatsupstairs who has worked there for one year told The Sentinel the holes leak when it rains.
Emails shared with The Sentinel show Iacolino has also sought pro-rated rent, but the property owner has not agreed to compensation, according to an email from Farfan.
Although he was initially willing to move forward after the repairs to the store’s AC, the dispute over rent relief and the continued issues with his roof and ceiling have left him determined not to renew his lease.
“I was willing to bury the hatchet,” Iacolino said, “but I will not be personally signing another lease.”
He also said, after a lack of response over several weeks, he has stopped engaging with property management because “it’s like talking to a brick wall.”
The thrift store, which features an eclectic mix of antiques, furniture, collectibles, and general thrift items, has built a strong customer base. The store opened about four days following the closure of Goodwill Industries in January 2023 according to the owners.
Goodwill Industries was located on the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Old Auburn Road, and had been a tenant for twenty years. Bearpaw Outlet and DarkHeart Brewing now take up the space of the former Goodwill.
When Whatsupstairs first opened, employees said customers often came in to donate because of the closure of the previous Goodwill, and the store filled up with merchandise quickly.
“I do love that store for its uniqueness,” Iacolino said, adding he would prefer to sell the business rather than close it outright, but he is also prepared to liquidate inventory “within 30 days” if needed.
