HUBBARD — The popular Save A Lot grocery store in the city didn’t close Thursday as feared, but it remains at the center of a lawsuit that alleges its operators owe a sizable amount in unpaid rent.

A mediation hearing is scheduled for today in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in the case filed by 880 West Liberty LLC against store operator, Hubbard Food Store LLC.

The complaint alleges Hubbard Food Store LLC owes $425,074 in back rent. It also claims the parties had an “oral month-to-month” agreement to occupy the space at McConnell Plaza, 880 W. Liberty St., that plaza owners, 880 West Liberty LLC, terminated in writing Jan. 17.

The tenancy termination letter is attached to the lawsuit, as is a notice Monday requiring Hubbard Food Store LLC to surrender possession Thursday.

An email was sent to Hubbard Food Store LLC’s attorneys, Joseph M. Houser and Thomas F. Hull, seeking comment.

The company 880 West Liberty LLC was registered by Donn F. McConnell in December 2007, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.

Reports the store was closing at 3 p.m. Thursday turned out to be inaccurate. The hope, Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle said, is more information will be available after today’s hearing, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The city also has a Shop ‘n Save, but Kyle said two stores are needed to serve residents adequately.

“It is vital to our community that we have more than one grocery store. I know some communities only have one, but we get people from Liberty, the East Side of Youngstown … so it’s extremely important to our population and to the whole region,” Kyle said.

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