A deal to sell Sonny’s restaurant in Adams Village has been upended due to concerns about environmental contamination under the property. Longtime owner Richard Elia told the Reporter this week that more tests need to be conducted to determine the extent of the problem.

“There was a dry cleaners on the property at one time, so when the bank looks at the archives of the city and they read that there was a dry cleaners, it presents a potential toxic problem to the property,” said Elia. “And the bank doesn’t want to own a piece of dirty property, so we’re in the process of having it evaluated and see what the story is.”

Last October, a public meeting was held at the popular bar and restaurant to update neighbors about Elia’s plan to sell his family-owned business to two men, David Arrowsmith and Martin Davis. The new team planned to renovate the space and re-open as an “American comfort food” eatery to be called “Industry.”

Elia said he is optimistic about the situation regardless of what tests reveal, because there are several solutions if the results do point to an issue with toxic materials. Sonny’s — located at 750 Adams St.— continues to operate as normal as the testing process continues.