Less than two years after it was sold to a trio of business partners, the decades-old Little Bear Saloon in Evergreen is reportedly failing to pay its landlord, vendors and employees.
Known for its rustic Western appearance, the building at 28075 Highway 74 dates to the 1880s and has been Little Bear since the 1970s. It was last sold in late 2023.
The buyers were JR Iannaccone, Patrick Robson and Alexandra Robson. Iannaccone owns Bistro Del Lago, an Italian restaurant down the street from Little Bear, and Evergreen-based JR’s Landscaping & Property Maintenance. The Robsons are a local married couple.
On June 17, Iannaccone sued the Robsons and made some major accusations about them.
“Bank records reveal the defendants have been using the (Little Bear) LLC’s checking account and credit card as their own personal checking account and credit card, funding their personal life and failing to make necessary payments on behalf of the LLC,” he alleged.
“Due to the actions of the defendants, vendors, employees and even the LLC’s landlord have either not received monies owed to them or have had checks issued by the defendants on behalf of the LLC bounce,” says the lawsuit in Jefferson County District Court.
Iannaccone claims that he is the treasurer of Little Bear Holdings Saloon LLC and yet does not have access to the company’s books. He reportedly invested $100,000 in Little Bear Saloon but hasn’t received a single disbursement while the Robsons have taken several.
“Iannaccone owns several other businesses in the area and is concerned his business reputation is at risk based on the defendants’ actions,” last week’s lawsuit explains.
So, he wants out. Iannaccone is asking Judge Jason Carrithers to dissolve Little Bear Holdings Saloon LLC and require the Robsons to refund his $100,000. The Evergreen man is suing the Evergreen couple for civil theft, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties.
Patrick and Alexandra Robson did not return emails and a phone call seeking comment.
Iannaccone’s lawyers are John Coaty, Dylan Woods and Rachael Wachs with the firm Coaty and Woods in Evergreen. They also did not respond to requests for comment.
This story was originally published on BusinessDen.
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