It's not some play about "the head of the household just died, and outsiders came to seize the property".
The Magic Potion Shop left by the Old Elf really isn't considered a valuable asset in the materially abundant, worry-free Elf Society.
The Elf messenger who came to deliver the message didn't even know the Old Elf had passed away. His purpose was merely to deliver a notice to the shop owner personally.
Upon learning of the elder's passing, he left the notice with Riel.
In simple terms, as the situation on the Continent grows increasingly perilous, the Elves have decided to plan ahead and further strengthen urban defense forces, thus needing to redevelop parts of the city.
Unfortunately, this Magic Potion Shop happens to be located in the area designated for redevelopment.
Of course, that's one way of putting it. When human nobles want to expand their mansions, they use all sorts of grandiose reasons as well.
