The owners of Therapy Café are expected in small-claims court this month to answer claims filed by a local events promoter alleging breach of contract.

The promoter, Christopher Dennis, alleges that the owners violated the terms of a deal he had with them during the 2010 CIAA basketball tournament in February. He has asked the court to award him $3,800.

The suit was filed July 16.

The owners of Therapy, registered under the name JS & TL Group Inc., did not return calls requesting an interview.

Documents registered with the N.C. secretary of state list the owners as Richard J. Stone of Denver, N.C., and Timothy Low of Charlotte, who serve as president and vice president, respectively.

Therapy, on north Tryon Street, has been a popular uptown meeting spot with African Americans. It made headlines earlier this week after a different promoter, Kirk Brown of Six Figure Entertainment, accused the restaurant’s management of racism.

In an email sent to more than 9,000 people, Brown alleged that Therapy routinely adds a 20 percent gratuity during events popular with African Americans. When Six Figure complained, the email further alleged, Therapy’s “management staff” said the practice was necessary because “African American people don’t tip.”

Adam Rees, Therapy’s general manager, denied the allegations, calling them “completely slanderous.”

In the small-claims suit, Dennis, who rented the restaurant for three days and three nights during CIAA week, alleges that Therapy’s owners notified him hours before one of his day parties was scheduled to start that he would be required to keep music at a low volume because of offices located above the restaurant. Dennis said he had earlier been assured that loud music would pose no problem.

Because of the music restrictions, Dennis alleges, fewer CIAA patrons attended his event. As a result, he said, his company, Circle of Friends Promotions, did not meet the restaurant’s $8,000-a-day food and drink requirement. Dennis said he ended up paying the restaurant an additional $3,000. He alleges that he spent another $800 compensating vendors and refunding ticket prices.

"We had people walking away because they didn’t want to stay at the party,” Dennis told Qcitymetro.com. "People came to that event expecting to dance and have a good time, and you can't do that with elevator music."

The case is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Although Dennis’ lawsuit does not focus on the 20 percent gratuity, the promoter said his patrons also were subjected to the surcharge. Meanwhile, he said, the restaurant’s regular customers who entered the “closed-door” event were not subjected to a cover charge or the mandatory gratuity.

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