Kook Burger and Bar, a small burger chain aiming to bring a slice of Jersey Shore to Center City, has officially closed its doors after about two years in business.
The venue, which once featured a unique sand pit for adults and offered extravagant $30 milkshakes, has been shuttered for an undisclosed period.
As of mid-June, patrons found a handwritten sign declaring its closure prominently displayed in the window, secured behind a metal gate.
However, according to recent city records, the Philadelphia Health Department flagged Kook Burger as permanently closed as early as February 2025, raising questions about its operational status prior to this date.
Inspection reports for the restaurant have since been removed from the city’s public database, complicating the timeline of its closure.
The struggles of Kook Burger are part of a larger trend, as its owners also recently closed their other locations in Jersey Shore and New York City, filing for bankruptcy amid multiple financial issues.
Legal troubles compound the situation, as a former employee has launched allegations of wage theft, claiming the owners owe a substantial amount in unpaid salaries.
Kingsley Braeden Anderson and Selena Gabrielle, the husband and wife team behind Kook Burger and Black Turtle Coffee, operate under the management of Absecon Capital, a self-proclaimed ‘hospitality startup.’
The couple’s rapid expansion has come with serious repercussions, with their recent Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing revealing a significant financial burden.
They estimated owing around $20,000 to former employees along with outstanding taxes across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
In response to growing concerns regarding employee rights, the city of Philadelphia recently implemented the POWER Act.
This new legislation aims to hold employers accountable for cases of wage theft, allowing the Department of Labor the authority to investigate and penalize offenders, as well as initiate civil cases.
The fallout from Black Turtle Coffee also illustrates the challenging landscape faced by the couple.
The Brigantine Beach location was closed months ago after an eviction notice was placed on its door.
Juan Silva Rodriguez, a former employee at Black Turtle Coffee, has filed a complaint alleging wage theft, claiming he worked between 70 to 80 unpaid hours weekly after being recruited to work for the Jersey Shore outlet.
Rodriguez claims he was promised an hourly wage as well as housing and assistance with his immigration visa but faced refusal from the owner to settle his pay during the slow season.
He is now pursuing back pay through the courts, asserting he is owed compensation for regular and overtime hours.
The New Jersey Wage Theft Act provides robust protections for employees, allowing them to seek damages that can amount to 200% of wages owed.
Meanwhile, Black Turtle Coffee is grappling with additional lawsuits over unpaid debts, including a significant claim from Interstate Outdoor Advertising in New Jersey, where Absecon Capital reportedly owes around $90,000 combined to multiple advertising companies.
Despite the shutdown of Kook Burger, Anderson has communicated that two Black Turtle Coffee locations in Philadelphia will remain operational.
Reflecting on their journey, Anderson shared, ‘The company experienced both hard-fought wins and painful losses, particularly under the Kook Burger umbrella.’
Additionally, the couple’s Greenwich Village location failed to launch successfully, attributed to undisclosed issues with the building’s infrastructure, leading to broader financial strain.
Anderson expressed gratitude towards loyal customers and employees, stating, ‘We hope to pivot back into growth mode with Black Turtle Coffee as the focus when conditions stabilize.’
Meanwhile, the spaces once occupied by Kook Burger and Black Turtle Coffee in Brigantine Beach are already being revitalized with new establishments, just in time for summer visitors.
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