LIHU‘E — Kukui Grove Center shoppers passing by Cold Stone Creamery Tuesday appeared surprised to see the ice cream shop dark, the doors locked and a handwritten “closed” in red ink displayed in the window. Richard Owston and his wife
LIHU‘E — Kukui Grove Center shoppers passing by Cold Stone Creamery Tuesday appeared surprised to see the ice cream shop dark, the doors locked and a handwritten “closed” in red ink displayed in the window.
Richard Owston and his wife Maria Jose Martinez Palazuelos, registered owners of two Cold Stone Creamery locations in Kaua‘i — one in Lihu‘e’s Kukui Grove shopping center and one in Kapa‘a — filed for Chapter 7 straight liquidation bankruptcy in December and closed their two sweet-treat shops.
Owston and Martinez Inc., the company name under which the couple operated and are filing for bankruptcy, has estimated liabilities of $100,000 to $500,000, court documents indicate.
The Kukui Grove Center management office said the business often had numerous customers and appeared to be doing well.
The company’s list of creditors include Cold Stone Creamery franchise, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawai‘i Department of Taxation, IRS, Kahala Corp. and KIUC.
Assets are estimated at less than $50,000.
Owston and Martinez Inc. is represented by the Law Office of Harrison P. Chung in Honolulu.
Attempts to contact the couple for comment were unsuccessful by press time.
