Official: Bourbon & Beale 'closed until further notice'

Embattled restaurateur Michael Felts' Bourbon & Beale eatery is "closed until further notice," according to his attorney.

Abe McGull of McGull Law Firm LLC provided the statement to Springfield Business Journal amid tips of a potential closure. He offered no further comment.

Bourbon & Beale, a nod to the famous streets in New Orleans and in Memphis, Tennessee, opened in 2020 at 2639 S. Glenstone Ave., near Battlefield Mall, according to past reporting.

McGull is representing Felts in a complaint filed in September by the federal government, accusing the businessperson of Paycheck Protection Program fraud. A Sept. 13 complaint filed in the Western District of Missouri Southern Division accuses Felts of using companies under his control to complete false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans, SBJ previously reported.

Felts has not faced criminal charges for the alleged offenses.

Hot Cluckers, another of Felts' restaurants, closed in October at 4406 S. Campbell Ave., with officials indicating on social media that a relocation to another city might be on the table. The Nashville-style fried chicken concept first opened in 2018 at 1450 E. Sunshine St. The south-side restaurant, which debuted in 2020 at the former Famous Dave’s space, originally was intended to be a second location, but staffing issues changed the plans.

Also in September, a Greene County Circuit Court ruling forced an eviction at the former Hot Cluckers space on East Sunshine Street. It had been used as a test kitchen for Felts' various ventures. Property owner CLB Apex Holdings LLC filed suit against Hot Cluckers LLC to take possession of the property, and the court additionally ordered a money judgment of $4,663.