As the eviction case against Lincoln’s Landing returns to court Thursday, a review of historic records shows that a number of businesses have come and gone from the same Humphrey Street block. Current and former tenants, as well as a Select Board member, told the Swampscott Tides they believe the dispute reflects broader concerns about the landlord’s actions.

“What we’re trying to do is get the landlord to resolve this amicably as opposed to the route that he’s taking,” Select Board Vice Chair Danielle Leonard told the Swampscott Tides. “We really want the landlord, who doesn’t live in town, to understand how integral they are to this community and how long they’ve been here. This is one of those times you stand up for the little guy because that’s the right thing to do.”

Lincoln’s Landing, a longtime Swampscott breakfast and lunch restaurant known for its classic American fare and neighborhood atmosphere, announced last month that it had received an eviction notice from landlord Alexandros Tsitos. Ashley Mantyla, daughter of owner Laurie, shared the news on Facebook on Wednesday, July 8.

“Our restaurant is very meaningful to a lot of people in the community,” Mantyla told the Swampscott Tides. “It’s not just a place to eat.”

Tsitos told the Swampscott Tides, “I’m sorry. I cannot talk.” His lawyer has not responded to multiple requests for comment, including a final email prior to publication.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Thursday, August 20 at Lynn District Court at 11 a.m.

The Court Case

Alexandros Tsitos and his attorney, Natalie Megaloudis, of AMPS Law PC, filed the eviction case on June 29. 

According to the filing, Lincoln’s Landing owes $3,600 in rent for each of March, April and May, for a total of $10,800. Mantyla previously told the Swampscott Tides that the “allegations of not paying rent for the past three months are false.”

Jennifer Capone, of JLC Legal P.L.L.C., is representing Lincoln’s Landing in the case.

The motion noted that Tsitos allegedly told Lincoln’s Landing in August 2025 that a rent check was missing and in December 2025 suggested it was “‘torn’ and couldn’t be cashed.’” Lincoln’s Landing wrote replacement checks, according to the motion.

Capone further alleges in the motion that Tsitos later cashed the original checks after replacement checks had been issued, resulting in duplicate payments for those months. When Lincoln’s Landing recognized this, they “applied those extra payments the plaintiff enriched himself with to the March 2026 and May 2026 rent.”

All parties appeared in court Thursday, July 23. At the case management conference, Capone called the eviction filing “reckless” and asked Judge Leo Fama II to dismiss the case. She showed Fama and Megaloudis bank documents, which were not previously submitted as evidence due to their private nature.

Megaloudis said resolving the parties’ competing claims over rent payments was not the purpose of the case management conference.

Fama ordered the case into discovery.

“Although we’re feeling a little bummed with the continuance, I am feeling optimistic,” Mantyla told the Swampscott Tides after the court hearing July 23. “We know we have the proof. We know that we paid.

The parties have exchanged documents, including additional check receipts, according to Mantyla.

Humphrey Street Turnover

But as the case returns to Lynn District Court Thursday, current and former tenants have told the Swampscott Tides about their dealings with Tsitos, suggesting they may be contributing to the high turnover of businesses on Humphrey Street.

“There have been times where things are needed and I’ve had to get my own lawyer involved to get a response,” one current tenant told the Swampscott Tides.

The current tenant, who spoke to the Swampscott Tides on the condition of anonymity, described the property management’s approach as “very do it yourself” and that “if you want to stay here, stay here and deal with it.”

“I’m not surprised he’s trying to (evict Lincoln’s Landing),” the current tenant said. “If he could do it with us, he probably would do it also.”

One of Tsitos’ former tenants also said they had experienced and witnessed alleged “bullying, racism, and misogyny” from the owner.

The Swampscott Tides spoke with a former tenant on the condition of anonymity. The tenant operated a business on Humphrey Street for about six years before relocating to a neighboring town.

“I’m dismayed,” the former tenant told the Swampscott Tides. “I’m not shocked. It’s upsetting…There’s a difference between a business not being able to thrive in an economic system versus predatory or hostile, making it so that you don’t have an opportunity.”

The former tenant said the dispute involving Lincoln’s Landing is not the first alleged conflict involving the Tsitos family that they have witnessed — or experienced firsthand.

Several tenants have left the Humphrey Street block where Lincoln’s Landing is located, from Dory’s Cleaners to Yan’s China Bistro, The Hiccup and more recently Seraphina Fashion.

“There’s a lot of turnover,” the former tenant said. “Almost immediately it was challenging. I think the biggest thread that comes through for us is the bullying, racism and misogyny.”  

The former tenant eventually left after the rent increased by 5% each year, with no room for negotiation.

It was at a point, however, for them that they didn’t want “to deal with” the “bizarre interactions we would have.” The former tenant also said Tsitos allegedly came during business hours, while customers were in their store, with a lawyer to demand the payments.

The former tenant said they came to Humphrey Street as part of the developing idea of a “cultural quarter,” envisioning boutiques and cafés. The Select Board also wants to make sure the area is “vibrant and stabled and consistently filled and active,” according to Leonard. She added that it’s important with the work around the former Hawthorne-by-the-Sea property and the upcoming hotel in the former Hadley School.

“I love Swampscott,” the former tenant said. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity in the Humphrey Street quarter. I think it’s a detriment to the town. It’s a blight to have these buildings that just go empty for years.”

Lincoln’s Landing’ s Mantyla also said Tsitos has allegedly “tried to strongarm people, threaten people,” which leads them to leaving the Humphrey Street block.

“All of the businesses are dealing with this,” Mantyla said. “I’m at the point where we’re fighting this. You’re not just going to push another business out.”

But Mantyla said Lincoln’s Landing is trying to stay in town.

“I’m just trying to figure out where we go from here. Our lease is up in January, and based on what we are dealing with now, it’s like how can we stay here,” Mantyla said. “We only have a matter of months…We would love to stay in Swampscott. However we are looking all over at this point, weighing our options. The town of Swampscott has been so supportive.”