Genova Deli, the beloved longtime local dining institution, is in danger of closing its flagship location Oakland due to a dispute with its landlord.

As first reported in the East Bay Express, longtime general manager Julio de la Cruz said that a threatened rent hike set for this spring could force the closure of the store. Loved for its stacked Italian sandwiches and homemade lasagna and raviolis, Genova has been located in Temescal since the 1920s. Their lease is up this June in Temescal Plaza, where the store has been since 1996, and de la Cruz says owners want make a decision as soon as possible.

When asked if he was hopeful a resolution could be reached, de la Cruz said, “there’s always hope. Right now we’re just going to do what we can, and see what happens.”

He said it was undecided whether, if no deal could be reached, they would simply close the store or look for another location.

“That hasn’t been determined yet,” de la Cruz said. “There are always options, but we’ve been here for 90 years, so why go somewhere else.”

De la Cruz also placed some blame on the city of Oakland for its role in passing a minimum wage hike that he said has made it that much harder for the for the 25-plus employee store to absorb any hike in expenses.

“I’m surprised more business aren’t closing down,” he said.

The company’s wholesale business, run at a separate Oakland location, and its second Napa store should remain unaffected, de la Cruz confirmed.

While it would be a huge blow to lose such a historic institution in the rapidly changing Temescal district, the end result is far from certain.

According to at least one person familiar with the negotiations, representatives for the landlord have been in talks since last summer and want Genova to remain were it is.

“[The landlords] really want them to stay, they realize what a stalwart they are in this community,” says the person, who requested to remain anonymous. “They’re negotiating in good faith. They know how important Genova is to the neighborhood and even to that shopping plaza.”

Ownership, Temescal Plaza, LLC., issued the following statement:

“Temescal Plaza appreciates the interest and concerns from the community in support of keeping Genova’s Oakland store open. Genova is an important part of the shopping center and the Temescal community, and our goal is for Genova to remain at Temescal Plaza. We continue our efforts to come to a mutually agreeable resolution with Genova.”

**This story was reflected on 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, to include the statement from ownership.

Genova Delicatessen, 5095 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 652-7401. genovadelioakland.com