Couple Sues Former Partners Over Bolingbrook Business

A Naperville couple is suing a former partner for trademark infringement and $18,000 in wages after they say they were forced out of the business at a coffee and wine bar at the Promenade Bolingbrook.

Earlier this month, Edwin and Vivian Rios filed suit in federal court through their attorney against Jacqueline Herrerias, Say Beignet Cafe & Wine Bar LLC, Hems Group and Hems Group LLC, according to the Cook County Record.

The couple claims they joined forces with Herrerias and two other individuals to form Hems Group in 2012. After several business projects failed to materialized, the group opened Say Beignet Coffee & Wine Bar, 627 E. Boughton Rd., in May 2014.

The business serves up wine, coffee drinks and New Orleans-style pastries, among other offerings.

The Rioses claim that part of the agreement to form Hems Group, they were given “sole discretion in developing the standards for brand compliance and related matters at Say Beignet Coffee & Wine Bar,” the Cook County Record reported. The couple also claims that the group agreed to pay them a licensing fee for their trademark “Say Beignet.”

But according to the Rioses, Herrerias staged a “coup” shortly after the business opened, changing the locks on the restaurant and seizing all of Hems Group’s assets. According to the Cook County Record, Herrerias then fired the couple.

The suit alleges that Herrerias owes Vivian Rios $15,300 in unpaid wages, along with $3,300 owed to Edwin Rios for their time working at Say Beignet.

In August, the Rioses reportedly issued a cease and desist order to the defendants, which they say has been ignored. They are asking the court to force their former partners to stop using the Say Beignet name, as well as suing for profits made through the use of the trademark.

Click here to read the full article.