"SOUTH BEACH — After four years Stephen Starr’s Miami outpost of Upland (49 Collins Avenue) has shuttered, and the restaurant has gone to court to file for bankruptcy protection, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. The closing was due to the economic hardship brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, and it is the only restaurant within Starr’s massive culinary empire seeking bankruptcy protection. The restaurant group is trying to break its lease with its landlord after months of trying to negotiate “alternative proposals that could result in a workable solution for all involved.” Starr’s group says termination of the lease will “result in substantial cost savings” for the group, who then says it can start paying its outstanding debts to more than 17 creditors seeking more than $130,000 in debts. Starr’s other South Florida eateries Le Zoo, Makoto, and Steak 954 remain open." - Olee Fowler
