Aquaplex in Oakland Park has experienced two major financial warnings in just two days. On Monday, May 18, they received a utility shut off notice from the city of Oakland Park. The next day a demand for rent notice was taped to their front door.
A picture of the rent demand was sent to OutSFL from multiple sources. The first line is in bold CAPS and reads “THREE DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR DELIVER POSSESSION". It goes on to say the business owes $31,490.71 and must be paid within three business days. With the holiday weekend, that gives them until “on or before” Wednesday, May 27. The notice says it was posted at 11:15 a.m. on May 19.
OutSFL has reached out to the owner but has not made contact.
Aquaplex is promoted as part of Pride Holdings Group’s portfolio, though the exact ownership structure is not clear from available records. PHG was formed after Lips, the former occupant, was bought out by the people who own and run Aquaplex Key West.
According to social media posts and an internal PHG memo obtained by OutSFL, the company recently fell behind on payroll.
Chyna Stackz Hilton publicly claimed she had not been paid for a second pay period despite working.
“I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID BUT DID THE WORK, AND EVERYONE JUST GOING ABOUT LIFE LIKE SHIT SWEET!,” she posted.
PHG is, to some degree, acknowledging the issues. OutSFL reached out to apparent co-owner Jon Barrett. He has not responded but shortly thereafter a memo was sent to managers and staff by PHG Director of Operations Joshua Cooper. OutSFL has obtained the memo.
Addressing the payroll issue, he says it has been dealt with and the money would be delivered “within another day or so.” He blames “external bank fraud” from several months ago that they have been working to resolve.
As for the utility shut off, Cooper says the bill was paid before the notice was delivered.
The memo also addresses a possible looming eviction. It reads “Aqua FTL did not receive a notice to vacate in 24 hours.” This is true. But the day after the memo was sent out the “Three Day Notice” was posted on the front door.
Bigger Storm Brewing
As bad as these issues appear, even bigger challenges are on the horizon. PHG is facing a pair of lawsuits. One by a cleaning company in Key West for about $8,000.
In a separate lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges what it describes as “a pattern of fraud.” PHG has not responded to OutSFL’s request for comment.
The lawsuit is complicated and dense. There are issues including jurisdiction and who owns what. The plaintiff believes assets were acquired with the purpose of bringing in more investors only for the assets to be neglected or shut down shortly thereafter.
OutSFL reviewed PHG disclosures, court records, internal communications and information from people with direct knowledge of the company’s operations. The situation remains developing, and OutSFL will update this story as more information becomes available.
