BizBeat: Trappers Too closes amid rent dispute

Restaurant and bar Trappers Too has closed permanently at 306 E. High St., not long after the building's owner sued business owner Sam Trapp claiming he owed back rent on the property.

The Jefferson City restaurant, which opened last October and replaced Trapp's former business - Zestos on Broadway Street, which closed in November - served lunch and dinner as well as a selection of specialty alcoholic beverages.

Building owner Ron Dawson filed a lawsuit Feb. 3 against Trapp and Zesto-Downtown, LLC, (doing business as Trappers Too) claiming Trapp did not pay rent for use of the main and lower levels from December 2014 through February 2015, on a lease that began May 2014. Dawson claims Trapp owes $4,500 for the three months' rent, plus 10 percent interest as agreed in the lease contract. The building owner also claims in his Feb. 3 petition that he is entitled to an additional $39,000 for the remaining 26 months of Trapp's three-year lease unless Dawson is able to relet the property.

Trapp said the fact he had to make an unplanned trip out of the United States for several months complicated the business' ability to make rent payments, as he was the only person at Trappers Too authorized to sign checks, and before the lawsuit he hadn't planned to close the restaurant for good.

"Initially, I planned to shut down for the month of February, and maybe March, because of weather, low sales and personnel concerns," Trapp said. "We have now agreed to terminate the lease for Trappers and the lease for my law office. I will close my business in Jefferson City and my law practice."

Trapp said he thought he had come to a timely agreement with Dawson's attorney to make the past-due payments, but then did not receive contact from the attorney until being informed of the lawsuit.

Trapp's license to practice law in Missouri was suspended last October, but he had intended to return to work at his Jefferson City law office once the suspension ended, he said.

A counsel status hearing to address the lawsuit is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 20 at the Cole County Circuit Court.

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