Butler going after assets of winery, owner for not repaying entire loan
The City of Butler will seek the assets of the former Porchvue Winery company and its owner as a result of a Thursday ruling in Butler County Common Pleas Court.
Porchvue Winery operated Tannin and Tonic By Porchvue Winery at 126 N. Main St. in Butler until early 2026.
Judge Kelley Streib denied a motion filed by owner Craig Slomers, of Chicora, and the winery to open or strike a $46,535.73 judgment the city obtained against them for defaulting on 2024 promissory note.
Slomers did not attend the hearing.
Through Butler Downtown, the city lent Slomers and the winery $50,000 in March 2024. The note was supposed to be repaid in 120 monthly installments from April 2024 to March 2034, according to a complaint the city filed in January of this year.
Monthly payments of $509.45 were not made in October, November and December 2025, or in January of this year, totaling $2,037.80. Monthly late fees of $25.47 total a combined $101.88. Attorney fees total $2,215.98. The accelerated balance of the loan is $42,108.07, according to the complaint.
The motion Slomers filed in April to open or strike the judgment claims his landlord caused the default by locking him out of the building. The motion alleges the landlord worked with the city and his actions are a conflict of interest.
City solicitor Tom Breth filed a response in May, saying Slomers doesn’t deny missing payments and defaulting under the note, the landlord is not a member of Butler City Council or any city board and the allegation against him is irrelevant.
After the hearing, Breth said the city will seek to collect the judgment by executing upon the assets of Sloan and the winery. He said he believes some of the winery’s equipment remains in the building.
