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Tyra Banks Faces $2.8M Lease Lawsuit Over Ice Cream Shop

12/23/2025

Summary

Story summary

Tyra Banks, owner of Smize & Dream ice-cream shop, faces a $2.8 million breach-of-lease suit by Christopher Powell.
Powell alleges Banks and partner Louis Martin abandoned the property and stopped paying rent after signing a ten-year lease in April 2024.
Banks and Martin counter that Powell failed to provide full space and had building issues.
Banks and Martin have filed a motion to dismiss, asserting they notified Powell of their decision to withdraw.

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Story summary

Tyra Banks, owner of Smize & Dream ice-cream shop, faces a $2.8 million breach-of-lease suit by Christopher Powell.
Powell alleges Banks and partner Louis Martin abandoned the property and stopped paying rent after signing a ten-year lease in April 2024.
Banks and Martin counter that Powell failed to provide full space and had building issues.
Banks and Martin have filed a motion to dismiss, asserting they notified Powell of their decision to withdraw.