Eviction drama in Springfield: Vino and Vango 'paint & sip' studio is out over unpaid rent

"Paint & sip" studio Vino and Vango will leave its Downtown Springfield storefront on May 9 following eviction from the Springfield Economic Development Agency over unpaid rent.

Vino and Vango has been renting its storefront since 2010, later adding an adjacent studio and a storage unit, first renting from the Springfield Utility Board and then from the Springfield Economic Development Agency (led by the Springfield mayor, councilors and a county commissioner) after the city bought it and other properties as part of its downtown urban renewal project in July 2021.

Studio owner Pauline Hauder expressed frustration toward Springfield leadership after what she saw as ways she helped the city.

"We give to at least 100 nonprofits every year in-kind," she said.

Hauder has marked the closure date on the studio's calendar as "The lights get dimmer in Downtown Springfield," but also shared optimism about the future. "Change is good. Change is coming," she said.

Hauder said the studio will switch to a mobile model after the closure while keeping open the possibility of a new location later. "We're a destination business, so (customers are) going to go where we go. It doesn't matter where we are."

She told the Register-Guard she'll look for storefronts in Eugene.

"I won't stay in Springfield," she said. "I'm done with just being burned like this."

Any move would come after the summer, which is her slow season. Hauder so far plans to teach classes at High Pass Winery and Swallowtail.

Hauder told the Register-Guard the studio began having financial trouble during the pandemic. She shared pride in how she adapted, saying she "learned a completely new discipline in two weeks" to offer virtual classes and art-in-a-bag. That and community contributions helped her keep up with rent during the pandemic, but sales didn't immediately improve as restrictions lifted.

"2023 came and it just stopped," she said. "I've never seen it so slow … we canceled almost everybody all summer long," Business came back in November and December, Hauder said, and she paid rent as she could, but by then the business had racked up thousands in late fees.

Hauder told the Reigister-Guard the city hadn't been telling her about the late fees, saying "they hadn't brought it up before." City spokesperson Loralyn Spiro told the Register-Guard that Hauder's lease agreements "clearly include late fees and penalties should rent not be received on time."

The SEDA board unanimously voted for eviction on April 8. At that time, Hauder owed $6,587 in rent and $10,212 in late fees and interest. The staff's agenda packet included options for forgiveness, a repayment plan or a combination. Hauder and her business partners advocated for flexibility at the meeting, but the board opted for eviction.

In the time since, Hauder said she's seen an "outpouring of support and love and people signing up for classes and trying to get in as many classes as we can."

The city gave Vino and Vango the choice between paying off its debt in the 30-day period or moving out and having its debt forgiven. Hauder's chosen to move out, laying off her six employees in the process. "if anybody wants to pay our bill, don't give it to (the city). We could use it to move," she said.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Vino and Vango art studio in Springfield faces eviction