WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan — Monday during prime time business hours several of the small businesses on Broadway and W. 162 St. in Washington Heights are closed.

When PIX11 asked people who live in the neighborhood what was going on?

The answer was simply, "the landlord is bad, he is trying to evict all of the businesses on the block."

Many of the shops are small mom-and-pop businesses that add to the Latin culture of this neighborhood.

Popular restaurant Punta Cana has been on the block for at least 40 years but may soon have to shut down.

"It's sad, I don't know what we are going to do," manager Haayahairi Santos told PIX11.

In 2012, a real estate investor, Coltown Properties, purchased the building which includes more than 200 apartments and 12 small businesses.

After the sale the investor quickly realized that with the neighborhood becoming a trendy spot, the landlord had several choices either renew the leases or give eviction notices.

Coltown Properties could not be reached for comment. The business owners say they have a court hearing on July 2nd.