Bobcat Bonnie’s Closes Last Michigan Location Amid $1.3M Tax Liens

Bobcat Bonnie's, a Michigan-based restaurant chain owned by Matt Buskard, has closed its last remaining location in Lansing, marking the end of the homegrown brand after multiple closures over the past year. The Lansing location, which opened in early 2024 in the former Clara's Lansing Station, had its liquor license suspended by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission due to unpaid fines and dishonored payments for alcohol purchases. Buskard owes over $1.3 million in tax liens to the state of Michigan, with allegations from former employees about bounced paychecks. Previous closures include locations in Ferndale, Corktown, Wyandotte, Clinton Township, and Ypsilanti, with financial difficulties cited amid the challenging restaurant industry economics since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite attempts to settle some debts, unpaid state sales tax and withholding liabilities persisted, contributing to the chain's financial collapse. The restaurant community in Ferndale and beyond expressed regret over the closures, highlighting the ongoing hardships faced by local eateries.