Comeau properties in downtown Hays come up for sheriff’s sale

The historic George Phillips Hardware building, 719 Main St. Hays, is up for sheriff’s sale in the Chuck Comeau foreclosure case.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The former Strand Theatre, 1102 Main St.

Twelve tracks of land owned by Chuck Comeau’s DFC Holdings and the Liberty Group, all in downtown Hays, are going up for sheriff’s sale.

Bank of Hays, Sunflower Bank and Golden Belt Bank were granted foreclosures on multiple properties owned by Comeau and his holding companies last year.

Comeau’s furniture manufacturing company in Plainville, Dessin Fournir, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. However, that bankruptcy was dismissed when a judge determined the companies in question did not have enough assets for a reorganization. Comeau tried to find a buyer for the companies without success.

In its bankruptcy, Comeau’s companies were listed as owing more than $8.9 million in secured debt to three local banks, including $952,000 to Astra Bank, $7.5 million to Bank of Hays and $420,000 to Sunflower Bank.

Seven Comeau properties already sold at sheriff’s sale in August.

The sheriff’s sale will be 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Ellis County Courthouse.

On the auction block will be 803 Fort St.; 811 Fort St.; 1008 Main St., occupied by Bluetique; 1011 Main St., occupied by Simply Charmed; 106 W. 11th St., occupied by Bella Luna; 1100 Main St., occupied by the Paisley Pear; 1102 Main St., former Strand Theater; 1108 Main St.; 1013 Main St., occupied by Regeena’s; 121 E. 11th St.; 1012 Main St., occupied by Something Blue; and 719 Main St., historic Phillips Hardware store.

The Hays Post attempted to contact several of the business owners affected by the sale.

Norman Keller, owner, of Regeena’s did not wish to speak about the sale specifically, but said he and his wife hope to keep their business in its current location.

Shaun Musil, owner of the Paisley Pear, also did not want to talk specifically about the sale, but said there are many positive things happening in downtown Hays and a lot of energy and he hopes that continues.