Business

Chris Kimball’s new venture is being sued over its name

Chris Kimball of “America's Test Kitchen.’’ The Boston Globe

July 6, 2016

1 minute to read

There can only be one Milk Street, according to a local Boston cafe.

Milk Street Cafe filed a lawsuit against celebrity chef Christopher Kimball’s newest business, Milk Street Kitchen, in federal court Wednesday, according to The Boston Globe.

Last month, Kimball announced his multimedia venture, which will house its cooking classes at 177 Milk St. It is expected to launch this October.

Milk Street Cafe founder Marc Epstein told the Globe that though his business is somewhat different in nature than Kimball’s newest endeavor (the cafe is mainly a catering company with a retail cafe), he thinks the closeness of their locations and similarity in names could leave customers confused, especially when searching online.

“The man has an international following,” Epstein said. “I can’t possibly compete with that … The whole idea that I have to fight after 35 years for my name is insane.”

Epstein told the Globe he tried numerous times, with both letters and in-person meetings, to ask Kimball to change his name before the Kitchen’s announcement, but he refused.

“I love that he’s opening up in the neighborhood,” Epstein told the Globe. “I wish him all the best. My one issue and only issue is that he’s taking our name.”