From Staff Reports

LAKE LURE, N.C. — The Town of Lake Lure and its tenant, Lured Market & Grill (operated by Second Mountain, LLC), signed a formal settlement agreement to resolve their high-profile lease disputes and eviction proceedings on Sept. 16.

Regarding key terms of the settlement, court and local media reports indicated the negotiated resolution features several major concessions from both parties as follows:

• Boathouse relinquishment: Lured Market dropped its claim to occupy the town-owned police boathouse adjoining the property. The building remains a designated municipal asset.

• Waterfront and beach access: The market is permitted to continue using the neighboring public beach access and boat slips to run its kayak rental operations.

• Temporary rent reduction: In exchange for walking away from the boathouse claim, Lured Market’s monthly rent is reduced to $2,500 through April 2027, after which it will return to its previous rate of $4,000.

• Back rent and fee waivers: Lured Market agreed to pay approximately $3,200 in outstanding back rent. In return, the Town of Lake Lure waived all associated late fees and interest.

• Dismissal of litigation: The agreement acts as a full and final resolution of all claims, ordering the town to dismiss its pending District Court eviction case with prejudice. It also resolves a separate Rutherford County Superior Court case between the two entities.

The legal battle became public over the summer when the town initiated summary ejectment (eviction) proceedings against the market on Aug. 24, citing late rent payments. 

Lured Market’s owner, Paul Brock, countered that the town’s true motive was “personal animus” and an attempt to break the lease to reclaim the boathouse, which the market had been using for storage and kayak rentals following regional disruptions from Tropical Storm Helene.

The eviction threat drew substantial community backlash. Local residents and vendors heavily supported Lured Market due to its prominent role as a critical supply and food distribution hub during local storm recovery efforts.