Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean sued for $1.4M after ‘abruptly’ closing restaurant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - A real estate company is suing MLB player Adam LaRoche and country stars Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean after the sudden closure of their Nashville restaurant.

Village 21 Investment Partners filed to amend the original lawsuit against the three men, who collectively owned E3 Chophouse on 21st Avenue South. The original lawsuit was filed in Davidson County General Session Court by the Brentwood-based GBT Realty Corporation

The self-described “high-end, service-driven, fine dining chophouse” has an original location operating in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, that’s owned by LaRoche and his family. According to the restaurant’s website, Aldean and Bryan had “talked for years” about opening their own location in Nashville, an idea that came to fruition in the latter part of 2019.

Then in February, the lawsuit claimed, they “stopped paying the monthly rent and abruptly closed the restaurant and ceased operations.”

“Nashville — we’re hitting pause," a message said on the E3 Chophouse Nashville website. “We’re temporarily pausing operations as we evaluate what Nashville needs next. Our team is assessing market opportunities and exploring potential rebrand and re-concept strategies for the future of this location.”

Village 21 said that the sudden closure was a default on their lease agreement. As such, the company sought to add an additional claim for breach of the lease guaranty.

“The Guarantors [Bryan, Aldean and LaRoche] guaranteed the performance of Tenant’s obligations under the Lease, including the payment of rent, and agreed to pay the damages, liabilities, and costs, including attorneys’ fees, provided under the Lease resulting from Tenant’s default,” the amended complaint said.

A judge is expected to hear the motion to amend the company’s complaint on July 10.

You can read the full lawsuit here: