Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. v. Indian Head Highway Associates

OPINION

NIEMEYER, District Judge.

Plaintiffs, who are assignees of two leases, have sued the defendant landlords on the leases for a declaratory judgment to determine their leasehold rights. This opinion will resolve the questions presented by plaintiffs’ suit.

The defendant Indian Head Highway Associates, a Maryland partnership, is the landlord of a shopping center in Fort Washington, Maryland. It leased this property for thirty years to Memco, Inc., the original tenant, with the option to extend the lease for up to six successive five-year terms. Memco merged with Lucky Stores, Inc., and that…