Casa Maria’s has lease terminated; owes more than $60,000 to landlord, court docs say
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia restaurant whose owner is accused of arson had its lease terminated last month, according to court documents filed on Wednesday.
Grindstone Plaza Development filed a petition in Boone County indicating Casa Maria’s owes $60,316.50 in unpaid rent and other costs. The document accuses Crystal Umfress and Marion Spence of unlawful detainer and breaching their contract.
Court documents say Grindstone Plaza Development issued Umfress and Spence a notice of default on June 18 and a notice to terminate the lease on July 24. Documents show the landlord declared the lease terminated the next day. The monthly rent is $9,038.66, according to the petition. A motion for a special process server was issued on Wednesday.
The restaurant at 1305 Grindstone Parkway had an “open” sign lit up on Thursday and appeared to be serving customers when ABC 17 News went to location on Thursday afternoon.
Umfress is charged with felonies in two cases. The first of which she is charged with second-degree arson after she was accused of hiring Kerry Raymond to burn down Lupita's Mexican Restaurant in 2023 in Dunklin County.
In another case, she is charged with two counts of filing false documents and three counts of forgery after she was accused of impersonating county officials and restaurant owners.
A trial for both cases is set for Feb. 2, 2026.
Raymond is charged with second-degree arson. A case review is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 6, 2026. Court filings in Raymond’s case from earlier this year indicate he will testify in Umfress’ case.
