Platypus, the low‑key cocktail bar in St. Louis' Grove that has been riding a wave of national buzz, is suddenly in damage‑control mode. After one of the bar’s co‑founders was hit with federal charges, co‑owner Meredith Barry took to Instagram with a blunt message: "Platypus needs you," urging regulars and newcomers alike to help the staff through what she called "incredibly painful challenges." It is not the kind of spotlight most neighborhood hangouts are looking for in spring.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a federal indictment filed in February accuses a Platypus co‑founder of aggravated identity theft and illegal transactions with an access device. Prosecutors say the defendant used an American Express card issued to someone identified only as "M.B." and relied on that person's Social Security number for purchases in September and October 2021. The Post‑Dispatch reports the case remains an active federal prosecution.
Bar’s Public Plea To Keep Drinks, And Jobs, Flowing
In a post highlighted by St. Louis Magazine, Barry repeated "Platypus needs you," thanked her team and alluded to "challenges that were left at our doorstep." The magazine notes Barry declined to say whether she is the "M.B." named in court filings, and investigators are still reviewing whether any customers were victimized. The ask was simple: come in, order drinks and help keep the operation afloat while the legal mess plays out.
From Food & Wine Glory To Financial Stress
Only weeks before the court filings grabbed headlines, Platypus was basking in national praise. On April 8, Food & Wine named the Grove bar one of the top 10 bars in the United States, spotlighting its mix of serious cocktails and easygoing, dive‑y vibes. That feel‑good write‑up landed right before the legal and financial troubles surfaced publicly, turning a success story into a very public stress test for the business.
Rent Fights, Cash Advances And Court Dates
Platypus and its operator, No Dice Libations LLC, are also wrestling with civil lawsuits over unpaid bills totaling tens of thousands of dollars. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, a landlord filed suit in October seeking roughly $34,000 in alleged unpaid rent, and a New Jersey cash‑advance firm later claimed about $23,000. The magazine further notes that co‑founder Anthony (Tony) Saputo was arrested on March 3, released on bond, and ordered not to access other people's financial information as a condition of his release.
What The Federal Charges Carry
Under federal law, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory minimum two‑year prison term that must run consecutively to any sentence for the underlying crime, according to the Legal Information Institute. A related "access device" statute that covers unauthorized use of credit cards and other account identifiers can add more prison time, depending on how serious and extensive the conduct is, as summarized by Justia. The potential penalties stack up quickly if prosecutors win, though the defendant is presumed innocent while the case moves forward.
What Comes Next For Platypus
For now, owners say they are working with lawyers and staff while both the criminal case and the civil suits wind through the courts, and they are openly asking the community to keep showing up at the bar. As the St. Louis Post-Dispatch points out, many filings are recent and details are still emerging in the public record. Court dockets and local reporting will shape the next chapter for Platypus, its staff and its once‑uncomplicated reputation as a Grove favorite.
