{"url":"https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html#tracking-source=home-top-story","title":"Lawsuits, debts behind Pangea’s 3 Missoula closures","domain":"missoulian.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/30144519/pexels-photo-30144519.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"tracking","category":"Other","language":"en","slug":"93113950","id":"93113950-9e18-455e-a120-86cab1799a5f","description":"Pangea Restaurant Group closed three Missoula restaurants amid financial troubles.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Pangea Restaurant Group closed three Missoula restaurants amid financial troubles.\n- Elote shut permanently in January 2026 after less than two years; Pangea and Stave & Hoop announced temporary closures last week.\n- Multiple lawsuits allege unpaid debts, loans, unlawful terminations, and counterclaims behind the abrupt shutdowns.\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe Missoulian reports that financial debt, unpaid loan claims, lawsuits, and counterclaims explain the recent closures of three Pangea Restaurant Group venues in Missoula: **Elote** at Southgate Mall, which closed permanently in January, and **Pangea** plus **Stave & Hoop** in downtown, announced as temporarily closed last week. The group owns these large spots. This comes now as the temporary closures were publicized recently, revealing deeper issues beyond public statements.[[1]](https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html#tracking-source=home-top-story)[[2]](https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html)\n\n## Key points\n- **Elote Mexican restaurant** at Southgate Mall opened less than two years ago but closed permanently on January 4, 2026; gift cards were honored at other Pangea spots.[[2]](https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html)\n- **Pangea** (upscale on Higgins Avenue) and **Stave & Hoop** (speakeasy behind it) closed immediately around March 31, 2026, with posts citing a transition to new ownership and concepts.[[3]](https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/downtown-missoulas-pangea-and-stave-hoop-temporarily-closed)\n- A creditor placed a lien on the POS system, seizing last week's deposits and halting operations, after prolonged financial distress through winter.[[4]](https://www.reddit.com/r/missoula/comments/1s91e3n/pangea_and_stave_and_hoop_closures)\n- Pangea faces numerous lawsuits over large unpaid debts, unpaid loans, unlawful employee terminations, plus counterclaims.[[1]](https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html#tracking-source=home-top-story)\n- At least one suit from **CBL Southgate Mall LLC** (landlord) against Pangea, filed in Missoula County District Court, likely tied to Elote lease issues.[[5]](https://www.law.com/radar/card/wn-montana-missoula-1406989-cbl-southgate-mall-llc-v-pangea-restaurant-group-llc)\n- Staff were told closures could last a month or more; recent payroll checks available at restaurants.\n\n## Details and context\nPangea Restaurant Group, Missoula-based, runs multiple concepts including these three plus Liquid Planet Grille; the closures hit popular downtown and mall spots. Elote cited no full liquor license as unsustainable at the mall, but the article links all to broader debts. Public announcements framed downtown spots as \"temporary\" with new owners coming, but liens and suits point to cash shortages.[[6]](https://www.elotemt.com/)[[7]](https://www.facebook.com/61556549158595/posts/after-nearly-two-years-of-pouring-our-hearts-into-elote-we-must-unfortunately-cl/122281107398218305)\n\nCreditor actions like the POS lien crippled payments, echoing reports of hurting local vendors and workers. Past ventures show expansion (Elote replaced Red Robin), but rapid failures suggest overreach amid tough winters.[[4]](https://www.reddit.com/r/missoula/comments/1s91e3n/pangea_and_stave_and_hoop_closures)\n\n## Key quotes\nNone reliably sourced from the article.\n\n## Why it matters\nLawsuits and debts signal risks in Missoula's restaurant scene, where local groups expand fast but face tight margins from seasons and costs. Diners lose favorites like Pangea’s global fare and Stave’s speakeasy vibe; staff face unpaid wages claims, vendors losses. Watch court outcomes in Missoula District for debt amounts, reopenings under new owners, or bankruptcy—uncertain if spots revive soon.","hashtags":["#missoula","#restaurants","#pangea","#lawsuits","#financial","#debt"],"sources":[{"url":"https://missoulian.com/news/local/business/article_c63a533d-4168-4735-a18f-1b1fb4a78c93.html#tracking-source=home-top-story","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/downtown-missoulas-pangea-and-stave-hoop-temporarily-closed","title":""},{"url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/missoula/comments/1s91e3n/pangea_and_stave_and_hoop_closures","title":""},{"url":"https://www.law.com/radar/card/wn-montana-missoula-1406989-cbl-southgate-mall-llc-v-pangea-restaurant-group-llc","title":""},{"url":"https://www.elotemt.com/","title":""},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/61556549158595/posts/after-nearly-two-years-of-pouring-our-hearts-into-elote-we-must-unfortunately-cl/122281107398218305","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-07T17:17:28.041Z"}