Bar K, a bar and dog park venue that once had plans to go national, filed for bankruptcy this week, days after the business suddenly closed its doors to its canine customers and their owners.
With locations in St. Louis, Kansas City and Oklahoma City, Bar K had been experiencing financial strain, even facing eviction from its landlord after allegedly failing to pay $300,000 in rent.
In documents filed with the Western Missouri bankruptcy court Monday, Bar K STL reported having between $100,000 and $500,000 in liabilities and between $100,000 and $500,000 in assets. The company also stated it had between 1 and 49 creditors.Â
Bar K’s owners said their decision to close the business last week was prompted by a “variety of challenges,†including “inflationary costs and expenses, an extremely difficult labor market and sharply reduced consumer spending,†according to an email they sent to customers on July 29.
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Customers, some of whom had paid $500 for an annual membership, would not be getting their money back as the company did “not have the resources to issue refunds,†the email stated.
Bar K founder Leib Dodell told the Post-Dispatch last week that although the parks were “buzzing with happy people and dogs,†the business could not be sustained.Â
“While I deeply regret the outcome of this business venture, I am hopeful that the work we have done here may be useful to future entrepreneurs who will pick up on this mission, work out the kinks and take the joyful dog-human social experience to the next level,†Dodell said in a statement. “The world will be a better place for it.â€
Dodell did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bar K's bankruptcy.
Bar K’s flagship location opened on Kansas City’s riverfront in 2018. Three years later, the St. Louis location launched at 4565 McRee Avenue in the city’s Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The venue boasted a two-acre outdoor park, three bars, indoor and outdoor eating areas, plus pet boarding and grooming services.
Bankruptcy documents indicate that Bar K managers agreed to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, which paves the way for liquidation, on July 25, just three days before the company announced the immediate closures of its dog parks.
Affiliated entities that have also filed for bankruptcy include Bar K Holdings, LLC, Bear Bishop LLC and Stay! At Bar KC, LLC.
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