The bank's current location--a rather narrow space--is simply too small for its growing customer base, Keegan says.

"It's hard for us to get a lot of customers in there and give people privacy," Keegan says. "This will give us a chance to become much more full-service.

"Our being able to expand just has nothing to do with Grafton Street," he adds.

When questioned about the bank's involvement in the building's renovation, Niles is equally emphatic.

"If anyone should be taking the heat for asking Grafton to leave it's me--because I did," he says.

But Lee insists that Cambridgeport assume some responsibility.

"They can claim whatever they want," he says. "But the fact is that if they weren't expanding, we'd still be there."

Do Not Go Gently, Sweet Liquers

If nothing else, Lee says, he should be allowed to stay until the renovation of the Bow St. building is complete.

At least four months will separate Grafton Street's closing from the opening of the Bow St. space.

For Lee, this represents a painful stretch of time with a seriously diminished cash flow.

Each week that the restaurant is closed will make a reopening less and less likely, he says.

"Right now, we're attractive because we're an established business, so we're getting the first shot at [the Bow St. building,]" Lee says. "But after we're closed for six months, we might not look so good any more."

But Niles says his hands are tied.

He extended the bar's lease from September to April, but says he simply cannot drag it out any longer.

"I've already made commitments to Slate's and to the bank. Construction needs to begin soon," he says. "There are commitments I need to deliver on."