Legal Fees Needed!!

In 2015, I purchased the Steel Horse Cafe (SHC), filling a much-needed gap in the oilfield. In the town of Cartwright, ND, I opened the SHC and started my seven-year journey. I gained a massive following of oilfield workers, truck drivers and local residents.

In 2018, the property owner (PO) asked me if I was interested in moving my restaurant inside to have seating for my customers, and I said yes. For two years, I sat in my downtime pricing equipment. The economy was good, and the cost would be reasonable. The PO suggested I use his friend to get my equipment through because she could save us money. My son Chris (a chef) and I met with the kitchen store owner (KSO). We told her our budget for the project.

The KSO sent me an invoice for $10,000 less than our budget. I was excited because I thought she would save us money on our equipment and supplies. I was asked to sign the invoice and send it back. There was only one line on the invoice, and I asked the KSO for a detailed invoice. It never came. Four months went by, and COVID started. Other invoices started arriving via email. I knew the first invoice for $90,000 was only the beginning. He only laughed when explaining to the PO that the KSO was going way over my budget.

There were many delays in the building process. All the equipment was ordered without my knowledge. The KSO would hang up on me when I called her to ask questions. When looking elsewhere to get equipment, there was none to be found because all factories were closed due to COVID.

Over time the equipment was delivered to the PO's home without my knowledge. I had no opportunity to reject the deliveries.

Fast forward....I promised the PO that I would move into the building a few years prior and I don't go back on my promises. With invoices totaling more than $250,000 ($150,000 over budget), I was under pressure from the PO to move into the building. Before moving in, the PO explained that since the move-in date was pushed back so many times, he would give me three months free rent to get in and get settled. By this time, I had lost 75% of my business because the truck drivers had to go elsewhere to get fuel due to credit card issues with the new fuel pumps.

On July 11, 2022, we opened the SHC in the new building. We would serve my menu during the day, and Chris would do a high-end menu at night. The main problem was the space or lack of space. We had no room to store anything. The PO didn't understand we needed a place to put our supplies. We were told there would be a 4' pizza oven coming so that we could make pizza for the c-store. Once again, we told them there was no space. Then we were asked to make doughnuts with a doughnut machine they were ordering, once again explaining there was no space. The final straw was being asked to make Krispy Krunchy Chicken, not just chicken....the entire menu for KKC. I said no, explaining there was no room for anything!

For months I talked to God constantly, day in and day out, asking for an answer.

On the morning of September 19th, I was talking with God the entire trip to work. I asked him for an answer. A few short hours later, I received my answer. The PO had the sheriff serve me with eviction papers.

The Steel Horse Cafe was closed on September 24, 2022.

I went through this entire process to be evicted two and half months into our new adventure, $250,000 in debt. I now have a bank loan for the equipment that has to be paid. With restaurants closing around the area, I don't foresee being able to find a buyer any time soon.

On October 1st, the PO made an invoice to bill me for three months of rent (that previously was to be free). He also refuses to pay me for the $3,000 in blinds that I put in the restaurant. On October 2nd, he said he wants his stainless steel shelving back (that I paid for) or he would bill me for the replacement tile to cover the screws his construction crew put in the wall.

I'm not sure when this will ever end.....but I do know I need help with this. All funds received will go towards the payment on equipment and legal fees.

Chris and I miss seeing all of you and loved getting to know you and spend time talking with each of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your past patronage!! We love and miss you!!