Two years of declining enrollments have forced a 17-year-old Henrico day care into bankruptcy protection.
“Enrollment decreases, but the mortgage and taxes stay the same,” said Lynnette Banks-Harris, owner of Burning Bush Day Care at 5237 Wilkinson Rd.
Banks-Harris said that in the past two years enrollment has dropped by half to 65 kids. Burning Bush is licensed to care for 160 kids, and Banks-Harris said that to stay in the black the center would have to sustain an enrollment of 115 to 120 kids.
Until the economy tanked and local companies laid off workers, Banks-Harris said, Burning Bush was very comfortable.
“We had never struggled before, so it was something we weren’t used to, and it was hard,” she said. She said the center’s highest enrollment was 141 children in 2001.
Burning Bush Day Care filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Jan. 27, listing liabilities of $406,500 and assets of $562,900.
M&T Bank is owed $231,500, and the Small Business Administration is owed $175,000, according to the filing. There are no unsecured creditors listed in the filing.
Banks-Harris started Burning Bush 17 years ago with her mother, Jannie Banks.
“I’ve always enjoyed running things, and I love working with children,” she said.
Before filing for Chapter 11, Banks-Harris said, she tried to negotiate payment plans with her creditors but was unsuccessful. She also refinanced her mortgage, but she ultimately chose to enter into bankruptcy protection.
Banks-Harris said she has streamlined a lot of expenses and examined unnecessary costs. Parent conferences will have cookies and punch, rather than spaghetti suppers, she said.
Doug Scott, a local bankruptcy lawyer hired by Banks-Harris, said the company should be able to turn things around.
“The good news is the population has picked back up as parents go back to work,” Scott said.
“It’s not at capacity, so if the population stays steady or continues to grow, they ought to be able to pay bills going forward.”
Drew Jackson is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].
Two years of declining enrollments have forced a 17-year-old Henrico day care into bankruptcy protection.
“Enrollment decreases, but the mortgage and taxes stay the same,” said Lynnette Banks-Harris, owner of Burning Bush Day Care at 5237 Wilkinson Rd.
Banks-Harris said that in the past two years enrollment has dropped by half to 65 kids. Burning Bush is licensed to care for 160 kids, and Banks-Harris said that to stay in the black the center would have to sustain an enrollment of 115 to 120 kids.
Until the economy tanked and local companies laid off workers, Banks-Harris said, Burning Bush was very comfortable.
“We had never struggled before, so it was something we weren’t used to, and it was hard,” she said. She said the center’s highest enrollment was 141 children in 2001.
Burning Bush Day Care filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Jan. 27, listing liabilities of $406,500 and assets of $562,900.
M&T Bank is owed $231,500, and the Small Business Administration is owed $175,000, according to the filing. There are no unsecured creditors listed in the filing.
Banks-Harris started Burning Bush 17 years ago with her mother, Jannie Banks.
“I’ve always enjoyed running things, and I love working with children,” she said.
Before filing for Chapter 11, Banks-Harris said, she tried to negotiate payment plans with her creditors but was unsuccessful. She also refinanced her mortgage, but she ultimately chose to enter into bankruptcy protection.
Banks-Harris said she has streamlined a lot of expenses and examined unnecessary costs. Parent conferences will have cookies and punch, rather than spaghetti suppers, she said.
Doug Scott, a local bankruptcy lawyer hired by Banks-Harris, said the company should be able to turn things around.
“The good news is the population has picked back up as parents go back to work,” Scott said.
“It’s not at capacity, so if the population stays steady or continues to grow, they ought to be able to pay bills going forward.”
Drew Jackson is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to [email protected].