Laevin v. St. Vincent De Paul Society of Grand Rapids

This is a bill in chancery to compel specific performance of a certain provision in a lease, claimed by plaintiffs to give them an option to release certain premises for 5 years after the expiration of the existing term. The trial court concluded that the provision did not give plaintiffs an unqualified right to re-lease and from the decree dismissing their bill of complaint, plaintiffs appeal. The facts are not in dispute.

For a number of years prior to 1943 plaintiffs had been employed by one Sam Ragir who conducted a retail clothing business in leased premises on South Division avenue in…