The company run by restaurateur Bill Sohovich, who shut down the landmark Blossom Deli in Charleston on Saturday, filed for bankruptcy in April, claiming $939,000 in debts and just $7,300 in assets, federal bankruptcy records show.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The company run by restaurateur Bill Sohovich, who shut down the landmark Blossom Deli in Charleston on Saturday, filed for bankruptcy in April, claiming $939,000 in debts and just $7,300 in assets, federal bankruptcy records show.
Sohovich Enterprises filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection after Sohovich's failed attempt to operate another restaurant -- Billy's -- at the South Ridge shopping center along Corridor G.
Sohovich's company owed $80,000 in missed lease payments to the restaurant's property owner, Ridgeline Inc., according to bankruptcy records.
"He still owes us money," said Georgette George, a Ridgeline spokeswoman. "We have tried to work with him. He did one gamble too many."
Sohovich's bankruptcy lawyer, John Miesner, declined comment last week. Sohovich did not return messages left on his cell phone.
Sohovich's bankruptcy case was closed and his debts discharged on June 30, according to an order entered by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald Pearson.
On Saturday, Sohovich closed Blossom Deli in downtown Charleston after a 16-year run. It was one of Charleston's most popular lunchtime eateries.
Last week, Sohovich cited the restaurant's poor dinner business as the reason for closing Blossom.
Sohovich also operates Soho's, an Italian-themed restaurant at Capitol Market.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The company run by restaurateur Bill Sohovich, who shut down the landmark Blossom Deli in Charleston on Saturday, filed for bankruptcy in April, claiming $939,000 in debts and just $7,300 in assets, federal bankruptcy records show.
Sohovich Enterprises filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection after Sohovich's failed attempt to operate another restaurant -- Billy's -- at the South Ridge shopping center along Corridor G.
Sohovich's company owed $80,000 in missed lease payments to the restaurant's property owner, Ridgeline Inc., according to bankruptcy records.
"He still owes us money," said Georgette George, a Ridgeline spokeswoman. "We have tried to work with him. He did one gamble too many."
Sohovich's bankruptcy lawyer, John Miesner, declined comment last week. Sohovich did not return messages left on his cell phone.
Sohovich's bankruptcy case was closed and his debts discharged on June 30, according to an order entered by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald Pearson.
On Saturday, Sohovich closed Blossom Deli in downtown Charleston after a 16-year run. It was one of Charleston's most popular lunchtime eateries.
Last week, Sohovich cited the restaurant's poor dinner business as the reason for closing Blossom.
Sohovich also operates Soho's, an Italian-themed restaurant at Capitol Market.
Bankruptcy records show that Sohovich owed more than $400,000 on loans to Huntington National Bank and United Bank -- money used to purchase equipment and inventory.
Sohovich also owed more than $88,000 in federal taxes and $17,000 in state taxes.
In addition, the company ran up nearly $50,000 in unpaid credit card bills, and owed food supplier Sysco more than $46,000.
Sohovich's bankruptcy filing listed only $7,339 in assets: four dozen oyster plates; a 40-gallon skillet; a 40-quart mixer; 51 plates; 52 bread baskets; a six-burner stove; and a 60-gallon kettle.
Sohovich opened Billy's in September 2008 at the site of the former Smokey Bones restaurant. Billy's closed three months later, then reopened last March before closing again for good.
George said Ridgeline has found a new tenant for the building: Las Trancas, a Mexican restaurant that will open in November.
George said the company doesn't plan to take any legal action against Sohovich for the missed lease payments.
"He's such a talented chef," George said. "We wish him the best."
Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.
