KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Barfly Ventures, the company that owns HopCat in several locations including Kalamazoo, has announced that it will file for bankruptcy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Company founder Mark Sellers told MLive that the company is over $30 million in debt, which has been exacerbated by executive order to close bars and restaurants while the viral spread is ongoing.
However, the company will still be reopening its Michigan restaurant locations on June 13, with out-of-state locations opening later this month. Sellers added that customers will not notice any difference in service, besides social distancing measures put in place.
The first HopCat opened in Grand Rapids back in 2008, later expanding across Michigan and in other states as its popularity grew. There are currently 14 locations open.
The location in Kalamazoo opened in 2016.
Locations that were closed in areas such as Chicago caused the company to lose money, which was only made worse by the pandemic.
BarFly Ventures also owns and operates Grand Rapids establishments Grand Rapids Brewing Co. and Stella’s Lounge.
