Did Patrick Dempsey use charm unfairly in Tully’s auction?
Jan 11, 2013, 10:02 AM | Updated: 11:52 am
Did Patrick Dempsey just charm the deal out of the auctioneers? (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
More than just a shrewd businessman, actor Patrick Dempsey is accused of using his good looks and charm to get the winning bid at the auction for Tully’s Coffee.
The auction for beleaguered coffee company Tully’s will likely conclude Friday in federal bankruptcy court, with an ownership group led by actor Patrick Dempsey in position to take over the chain. But Starbucks isn’t out of the running.
Dempsey, dubbed “McDreamy” in the “Grey’s Anatomy” hospital TV drama, claimed victory last week after an auction.
But a company that teamed up with Starbucks to bid for the Tully’s chain filed an objection Wednesday. AgriNurture Inc. says it’s still willing to proceed with its combined bid with Starbucks of about $10.6 million. The bid from Dempsey’s company, Global Baristas LLC, was for $9.2 million.
A Wall Street Journal report says the losers argue that Dempsey “unfairly charmed auctioneers to win.”
Katy Stech, writing for WSJ says, “Anyone who’s ever looked into his eyes would understand.”
Tully’s has 47 shops in Washington and California with more than 500 employees. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.
The proposed sale goes before a bankruptcy judge in Seattle on Friday.
Tully’s Chief Executive Scott Pearson is hoping Dempsey comes out on top. He says it would be the best chance at keeping the Tully’s name alive and keeping its hundreds of workers employed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
