La Mediterranee Secured 10-Year Lease on Fillmore
The 47-year-old Fillmore Street restaurant will remain in its current location through 2038.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Regulars at the Fillmore Street fixture La Mediterranee will see the neighborhood staple remain in place for at least another decade. The restaurant has signed a new 10-year lease agreement with its property management team.
Why it matters
The extension secures a long-term future for the 20 staff members employed at the site and anchors one of the street's most enduring businesses. The decision to stay comes as ownership shifts toward broader investment in the immediate corridor, including restoration plans for the nearby Clay Theater.
The restaurant has operated at 2210 Fillmore Street since 1979, with catering now accounting for 50% of total revenue. The new agreement runs until 2038, though final rent escalations remain undisclosed.
The players
Vanick Der Bedrossian
The 42-year-old owner of La Mediterranee who negotiated the long-term lease.
Neil Mehta
The property owner who purchased the building two years ago and holds the title to the site.
Cody Allen
The representative who facilitated the lease extension negotiations.
The details
After negotiations with property owner Neil Mehta and management, owner Vanick Der Bedrossian reached terms to keep the doors open for the 20-person staff. The deal marks a change from an earlier three-year proposal, solidifying the restaurant's presence on the block for the next decade. Management has indicated further interest in revitalizing local landmarks, including the adjacent Clay Theater.
Timeline
1979: The restaurant first opened on Fillmore Street.
2024: Ownership of the building transferred to Neil Mehta.
August 2026: Public notification occurred regarding the potential lease terms.
October 13, 2026: The extension was confirmed in reporting.
2038: The new lease agreement is set to expire.
Across the Bay
This stability marks a departure from the recent trend of long-term business turnover observed since the closure of the nearby Clay Theater. The agreement signals a rare instance of local commercial continuity in the district.
Residents can continue to rely on the restaurant for dine-in and catering services at the 2210 Fillmore Street address for at least the next 12 years. No changes to daily operations or staffing levels are expected as a result of the contract.
The takeaway
The renewal provides a rare sense of certainty for a neighborhood fixture that has served the city since 1979. Locals should look for upcoming updates on the building owner's restoration projects for the neighboring Clay Theater.
Further reading
You can track other shifts in the local commercial scene in our Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New Fillmore.
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