Court Opinion

ID: 1045898
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-08 02:31:05.147497+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:53:18.534736
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                            AT NASHVILLE
                               September 19, 2012 Session

    JAMES D. HOLDER and BARBARA L. HOLDER v. S & S FAMILY
                   ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

               Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Sumner County
                   No. 83CC1-2011-CV-725       C. L. Rogers, Judge

               No. M2011-00601-COA-R3-CV - Filed November 7, 2012

Plaintiff purchased family entertainment center businesses from defendants and it leased,
from defendants, buildings in which the entertainment centers were operated. Plaintiff also
purchased certain assets from defendants, but a dispute ultimately arose regarding certain
assets’ inclusion within the sale. At the expiration of the building leases, defendants filed
suit claiming that plaintiff had damaged their property, that plaintiff had improperly removed
certain items from the buildings, and that it had failed to remove other items which it should
have removed. Plaintiff filed an answer and counterclaim asserting ownership of the
allegedly damaged, improperly removed, and non-removed property, and further claiming
that defendants had reneged upon an agreement to sell it one of the buildings at issue. The
trial court entered a brief order awarding defendants damages and dismissing plaintiff’s
counterclaim. Plaintiff moved the trial court to alter or amend its judgment and for entry of
a final order. The trial court denied plaintiff’s motion, finding there were no remaining
issues in need of resolution. We find that the order appealed is not a final judgment, and
therefore, that this Court lacks jurisdiction in this matter. Thus, we must dismiss this appeal
and remand to the trial court for appropriate findings and entry of a final order.

  Tenn. R. App. P. 3; Appeal as of Right; Appeal Dismissed and Case Remanded

A LAN E. H IGHERS, P.J., W.S., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which D AVID R. F ARMER,
J., and J. S TEVEN S TAFFORD, J., joined.

Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr., Gerald D. Neenan, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, S & S
Family Entertainment, LLC

James L. Smith, Karen Keyes Diner, Hendersonville, Tennessee, for the appellees, James D.
Holder and Barbara L. Holder
                                          OPINION

                           I.   F ACTS & P ROCEDURAL H ISTORY

       In 2001, S & S Family Entertainment, LLC (“S & S”) purchased two “family
entertainment center” businesses in Hendersonville and Gallatin, Tennessee, from James D.
Holder, Barbara L. Holder, (collectively the “Holders”) and Holder Family Fun Centers, Inc.
Pursuant to ten-year “Shopping Center Lease[s]” expiring May 31, 2011, S & S leased the
buildings in which the entertainment centers would be operated. As relevant to this case, the
leases provided the following:

       13(a) Lessee [S & S] will keep, at its own cost and expense, maintain and keep
       the Demised Premises, including without limitation, all interior walls, doors,
       plate glass, floors, ceilings, windows in the storefront, showcases, skylights,
       electrical facilities and equipment, all plumbing sewage, electrical, sprinkler
       and HVAC systems (to the extent the same are located within the Demised
       Premises or serve only the Demised Premises) and light fixtures, as clean and
       in as good repair as same are at the Commencement Date or may be put in
       during the continuance thereof, reasonable wear and tear and damage by fire,
       other casualty, or condemnation excepted . . . .

       (b) Without limiting subsection 1[3](a) above, Lessee will keep the Demised
       Premises in such repair and condition as may be required by the Board of
       Health and all other applicable city, state or federal authorities, all at Lessee’s
       cost and expense.

       ....

       (d) Lessee, at its sole cost and expense, shall repair any damage to the Demised
       Premises, the Shopping Center or the Common Areas caused by any act or
       neglect of Lessee, its employees, agent, invitees or licensees, ordinary wear
       and tear excepted. If Lessee shall fail to commence such repairs within twenty
       (20) days after receiving notice from Lessor or to complete such repairs within
       a reasonable time after such notice, Lessor may cause such repairs to be made
       and/or completed at Lessee’s expense, and Lessee shall immediately reimburse
       Lessor therefor.

       ....

       16. Alterations. Lessee shall not permit alterations of or upon any part of the

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       Demised Premises, or additions or improvements to the Demised Premises,
       without first obtaining the written consent of Lessor in each such instance. . .
       .

       ....

       19. Surrender. . . . At or before the expiration or termination of the Lease,
       Lessee may remove all the trade fixtures including, but not limited to, all assets
       purchased under the Contract for Sale by and between Lessor and Lessee and
       owned by Lessee that can be removed without irreparable injury to or
       defacement of the Demised Premises, provided (a) all rents have been paid in
       full, (b) Lessee is not otherwise in default under this Lease, and (c) all damage
       to the Demised Premises caused by such removal is properly repaired.

The parties also executed a “Contract for Sale” whereby S & S purchased certain assets from
the Holders. The Contract for Sale provided that

       In consideration of the sum of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000.00)
       DOLLARS earnest money deposited as part payment of the purchase price
       with Escrow Agent and the balance of the purchase price1 to be paid as set
       forth herein, SELLERS do hereby sell, assign, transfer, set over and convey
       unto PURCHASER, and PURCHASER hereby agrees to purchase, free and
       clear of all security interest, liens, charges, claims and encumbrances, except
       as hereinafter set forth, the following Businesses and assets conducted by
       SELLERS and necessary to continue the operation in the manner heretofore
       operated at the locations indicated[,] the following Businesses and assets being
       more particularly described as follows, to wit:

(emphasis added). Attached to the Contract for Sale was an “Asset List” specifically listing
numerous items conveyed to S & S, including the item type, the quantity of each item, and
each item’s room location within either the Hendersonville or Gallatin facility.

       On June 14, 2011, the Holders filed a Complaint in the Sumner County Circuit Court
claiming, among other things, that S & S had defaulted on its lease obligations because, at
lease expiration, two HVAC units at the Hendersonville property remained in disrepair and
because S & S had made alterations to the leased premises without the prior written consent
of the Holders–for example, S & S allegedly removed a roller coaster and it substituted both

       1
           The total purchase price was $5,500,000.00, plus inventory.

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a roller skating rink for an ice skating rink and a “Gyro Extreme” for the “Dynamax Motion
Theater.” The Holders further complained that S & S had failed to leave the premises in as
good a condition as at lease inception, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Specifically, the
Holders claimed the following damage:

              Damage to the Hendersonville leased premises includes, but is not
       limited to, damaged and missing doors and door hardware, damaged brick
       work, missing and damaged fixture and plumbing in the restrooms, missing or
       damaged neon lighting, broken floor tiles, damaged plumbing in kitchen areas,
       damaged ceiling, inoperable emergency exit signs and lights, damaged dry
       wall, inoperable water heater, damage to the electrical systems and missing
       bowling lane foundation parts.

       ....

              Damage to the Gallatin leased premises includes, but is not limited to,
       damaged doors and door hardware, damage to the electrical system, inoperable
       ceiling fans, missing bowling lane foundation parts, and damaged carpet. The
       Defendant [S & S] also left debris in the leased premises parking lot, which
       debris accumulated as a result of the Defendant’s move from the leased
       premises.

Finally, the Holders claimed that when vacating the premises, S & S had removed items
which it should not have removed, and that it had failed to remove other items which it
should have removed. Specifically, the Holders claimed that S & S had improperly removed
“the Ans[u]l [fire] systems and exhaust fans; the bumper car floor and transformer; two (2)
‘Family Fun Center’ neon signs; signs attached to the front of the building; all fire
extinguishers; menu boards; and a washer and dryer.” The trial court entered a Temporary
Restraining Order on June 14, 2011, ordering that S & S “refrain from altering, destroying,
selling, conveying, or in any way disposing of” the items which the Holders claimed S & S
had improperly removed.

        S & S filed its Answer and Counterclaim on September 13, 2011, denying that it was
in default of the leases–contending that two HVAC units were inoperative at lease inception
and that the alterations in question did not require physical alterations to the building,
itself–and claiming that the Holders had failed to provide sufficient notice of any alleged
default. S & S further claimed, among other things, that it owned the assets allegedly
damaged or improperly removed, and, due to its alleged ownership, it denied that it was
under any duty to remove assets which the Holders claimed it should have removed. Citing
the Contract for Sale, S & S claimed ownership of all assets “necessary to continue the

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operation [of the businesses] in the manner heretofore operated” regardless of whether those
assets were specifically included in the attached Asset Lists. According to S & S, “[a]ll of
the assets in dispute were necessary to continue the operation of the businesses in the manner
in which they had been operated by the Holders and therefore were sold by the Holders to
S & S.” Finally, S & S asserted, as a counterclaim, that it had reached an agreement with the
Holders regarding a purchase of the Hendersonville property, that it had spent over $75,000
in reliance upon that agreement, and that the Holders had subsequently reneged upon the
agreement and refused to close the sale.

       A trial was held on October 17 and 18, 2011. Thereafter, the trial court entered an
Order, which stated in its entirety:

              Plaintiff Lessor and Defendant Lessee entered into a lease of
       commercial premises of a bowling center in Hendersonville, Tennessee and a
       bowling center in Gallatin, Tennessee. The parties also entered into a contract
       of sale of business assets of said bowling centers. Upon expiration of the
       lease, a dispute arose regarding building damages at lease surrender and a
       dispute as to certain items[’] inclusion in the asset sale.

              Damage to real property and improvements is limited to cost of repair
       or diminution in value of the property whichever is less. Defendant had the
       obligation of repair and maintenance during the lease. Defendant had the
       obligation to surrender the lease premises in as good of condition and repair
       as existed at lease commencement.           At lease commencement, the
       Hendersonville building was approximately 26 years old and 36 years old at
       surrender. The Gallatin building was approximately 9 years old at
       commencement and 19 years old at surrender. The Hendersonville HVAC
       systems were 36 years old at lease surrender. The Gallatin HVAC systems
       were 18 years old at lease surrender. Life expectancy of all the HVAC units
       were presumed to be only 10 to 12 years. The HVAC [units] were in good
       working order considering the[ir] age at lease commencement. At lease
       surrender, one unit had been found to have been strip[p]ed of its parts.2 It was
       recommended other units be replaced due to age rather than continued repairs.
       Building doors were shown to have deteriorated including rusted metal.
       Defendant admitted damage to a front door, but no proof was offered as to its

       2
           It is unclear whether this unit is one of two units allegedly abandoned prior to lease commencement.

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        cost of repair.3 The ans[u]l system is a fire containment system and found to
        be part of the kitchen hood and exhaust systems.4 The asset purchase of
        restrooms is found to have been for supplies inventory not fixtures.

                 Plaintiff is awarded a judgment against the Defendant as follows:

        Bowling lanes particle board -                     $17,262.00

        Plumbing repairs to restrooms -                    $11,491.00

        Removal of refrigeration -                         $10,000.00

        Removal of Dynamax -                               $ 5,000.00

        Electrical repair of roof exhaust -                $     717.00

        Emergency generator repair -                       $     650.00

        Ans[u]l system -                                   $ 2,403.00

        HVAC stripped of internal components $ 6,600.00

                                          TOTAL            $54,123.00

               Defendant[’]s counter complaint is dismissed with prejudice.
        Defendant sought to make a claim for breach of an alleged oral contract to sell
        real property. Costs are assessed to the Defendant.

       On December 14, 2011, the Holders filed a “Motion to Award Attorney Fees and
Return of Neon Signs,” seeking $21,500.00 in attorney fees as well as reinstallation of, or
reimbursement for, neon signs allegedly removed by S & S. On that same day, however, S
& S filed a “Motion to Alter or Amend and for Entry of a Final Order” and supporting
memorandum. Beyond seeking its attorney fees, S & S essentially asked the court to set

        3
        In its “Brief in Support of Damages,” the Holders sought over $30,000.00 for alleged damage,
beyond ordinary wear and tear, to multiple doors at both locations.
        4
         The Gallatin Asset List states that “1 Hood System with 3 Foot Chargrill, 3 Foot Grill, Double
Burner” located in the “Snack Bar” is to be conveyed to S & S. It is unclear whether the trial court intended
to conclude that the Ansul system is a part of that “Hood System.” If so, the basis of its award to the Holders
for the cost to replace the Ansul system removed by S &S is unclear.

                                                     -6-
aside its damage awards to the Holders based upon the Holders’ alleged failure to sufficiently
prove causation and damage amounts. S & S further argued that a dispute persisted
regarding the ownership of ceratin assets and it requested that the court

       resolve in favor of S & S the remaining issues in this case, including:
       dissolving the Temporary Restraining Order entered by the Court on June 14,
       2011 (the “Injunction”); awarding S & S all of the items of personal property
       that were subject of the Injunction; and clearing title to all the items of
       personal property that are in dispute by issuing a declaratory order that S & S
       is the owner of those items and is entitled to possession of them.

        On January 19, 2012, a hearing was held on the Holders’ Motion to Award Attorney
Fees and Return of Neon Signs” as well as on S & S’s “Motion to Alter or Amend and for
Entry of a Final Order.” Thereafter, the trial court entered an order awarding the Holders
their requested $21,500.00 attorney fee, but denying their request for the return of certain
signs, finding that the “issue was not raised at the original trial by evidence.” Finally, the
trial court declined to “change its findings of fact” and it stated, despite S & S’s contrary
assertion, that “[t]here are no remaining issues” in need of resolution. S & S timely appealed
to this Court.

                                  II.   I SSUES P RESENTED

       Appellant S & S presents the following issues for review:

1.     Whether the disputed items of property were conveyed by the Holders to S & S
       pursuant to the Contract for Sale and the Bills of Sale, which transferred to S & S “
       . . . all other chattels and assets not otherwise specified herein and necessary to
       operate . . .” the businesses?

2.     Whether the damages awarded by the trial judge were precluded by the leases, which:
       do not impose any duty on S & S to replace capital items; do not require the premises
       to be surrendered in better condition than they were at the beginning of the Leases;
       and excuse S & S from liability for ordinary wear and tear and reasonable wear and
       tear?

3.     Whether the Holders failed to prove they were entitled to damages and failed to prove
       the amount of their purported damages?

4.     Whether attorneys’ fees and costs should have been awarded to S & S instead of to
       the Holders?

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5.     Whether S & S was entitled to recover expenses it incurred in reasonable reliance
       upon the Holders’ promise to sell property to S & S?

For the following reasons, we conclude that this Court lacks jurisdiction in this matter, and
therefore, we dismiss this appeal.

                                      III.   D ISCUSSION

         Rule 3 of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure provides that “if multiple
parties or multiple claims for relief are involved in an action, any order that adjudicates fewer
than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties is not enforceable
or appealable[.]” Except where otherwise provided, this Court only has subject matter
jurisdiction over final orders. See Bayberry Assoc. v. Jones, 783 S.W.2d 553, 559 (Tenn.
1990).

        T. R. Civ. P. 52.01 states: “In all actions tried upon the facts without a jury, the court
shall find the facts specially and shall state separately its conclusions of law and direct the
entry of the appropriate judgment.” The Advisory Comment notes: “No longer must counsel
request the judge to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in nonjury trials.”

        At trial, the ownership of numerous assets allegedly damaged, improperly removed,
or wrongfully left behind was highly disputed. In its order, the trial court found that
bathroom fixtures were not sold to S & S. However, beyond this determination, it failed to
resolve the asset ownership issue. The trial court simply rendered damage awards with
regard to some assets without determining the ownership thereof. Even if we could imply
a finding of ownership by the Holders as to these assets, ownership of other items, including
doors and emergency exit lights, nonetheless, remains unaddressed. Moreover, the trial court
did not resolve the ownership of other assets subject to the Temporary Restraining Order.
Because the trial court did not make findings as contemplated by T. R. Civ. P. 52.01, and did
not resolve ownership claims with reference to all of the disputed property, this court is
precluded from a meaningful review of the issues presented in this case. Because of the
failure to adjudicate the ownership claims, we find the order appealed is not a final judgment,
and therefore, that this Court lacks jurisdiction in this matter. Consequently, we must dismiss
this appeal and remand to the trial court for appropriate findings and entry of a final order.

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                                     IV. C ONCLUSION

       For the aforementioned reasons, we find that the order appealed is not a final
judgment, and therefore, that this Court lacks jurisdiction in this matter. Thus, we must
dismiss this appeal and remand to the trial court for appropriate findings and entry of a final
order. Costs of this appeal are taxed equally to the Appellees, James D. Holder and Barbara
L. Holder and to Appellant, S & S Family Entertainment, LLC, and its surety, for which
execution may issue if necessary.

                                                    _________________________________
                                                    ALAN E. HIGHERS, P.J., W.S.

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