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Restaurant owner files for bankruptcy protection

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Jim Witmer/Jim Witmer An exterior view of the entrance to Cena Brazilian/Mediterranean Steak House, 2854 Miamisburg-Centerville Road.

By Ben Sutherly, Staff Writer Updated 1:42 AM Friday, August 14, 2009

Cena, the Brazilian and Mediterranean steakhouse near the Dayton Mall, remains in business, despite filing for Chapter 11 protection this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, its owner said.

Restaurant sales are down 35 percent from two years ago, said Eva Christian, Cena’s founder and sole member of Cena, LLC.

Cena also took a hit from higher than expected architect costs before it opened in February 2007, she said.

“I just hope people understand Cena will remain open, and we will fight to get through this time,” Christian said. “I could have bailed out and just closed the restaurant, but that’s not what I want to do.”

Cena, LLC, 2854 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, lists assets of less than $50,000 and estimated liabilities of between $500,000 and $1 million.

Creditors holding the largest unsecured claims include Dayton Mall Venture LLC of Columbus ($354,000 for the restaurant property lease) and the Internal Revenue Service ($167,586 in unpaid federal payroll taxes).

Christian also owns Cafe Boulevard, 329 E. Fifth St., in Dayton. That restaurant, still open, has been reorganizing its debts under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since April. Its sales are up 20 percent from a year ago, and Christian hopes the business will emerge from bankruptcy in a year.

Typically, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing lets a company continue to operate free from the threat of creditors’ lawsuits while it reorganizes its finances. The debtor’s reorganization plan must be accepted by a majority of its creditors.

Christian herself filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April.

Some people may think Cena is an expensive restaurant, Christian said, but she claims there are deals to be had. With tapas, “you can practically make a meal for under $10,” she said.

Cena’s bankruptcy filing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, underscores the importance of supporting locally owned, independent restaurants, Christian said.

Other local restaurant owners “are in a horrible, horrible situations,” Christian said. “I would not be surprised if quite a few restaurants close or take the same steps that I have.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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