AUSTIN, Texas — A sustainable clothing store that was located on East Sixth Street in Austin is in hot water, as people claim the business owes them money.
Over a dozen vendors came together on social media claiming that Esby Apparel failed to honor financial commitments from an event they worked back in March.
Courtney Bianchi – the owner of CB Communications and Events, an events and public relations firm for large- and small- scale events – said that for small businesses like hers, getting hired to work large events is a big deal.
“I was hired by Stephanie Beard, who is the owner and CEO of Esby Apparel, to produce their Esby-fest experience to celebrate 10 years of business,” Bianchi said.
She said Esby was launching its new spring line. Bianchi said she knew Beard a few years prior to working together, so it was an honor and a thrill to be asked to help.
Bianchi said she was hired in January and pulled together vendors, models, hair and makeup, catering and drinks by the March deadline.
“It was very successful," Bianchi said. "The weather was beautiful, a great turnout."
But over six months later, Bianchi said she's still waiting to be paid for the work. She said Esby owes her and 19 other businesses a combined $120,000.
In her contract, Bianchi said she and Beard agreed that they’d get paid 50% upfront when the contract was signed and the rest paid after the event.
She said Beard did not pay the amount they agreed to right away.
“I have this signed contract," Bianchi said. "I had my experience with her for the previous years before working with her, and I really trusted that she would deliver."
She said Beard and Gerald Tempton from Ignite, an investment company that bought Esby Apparel, have just given vague answers when asked where the payments are.
“It’s a lot of the same excuse, different day,” Bianchi said. “‘We will deliver on this day.’ Then the day comes, we follow up, ‘Can you show proof of wire?’ They don't produce, they ghost and then a couple of days later, they’ll say they need another week.”
Vendors took to social media calling Esby out – but they're not the only ones.
The store's former landlord, real estate agent Drew Johnson, said he leased a storefront on East Sixth Street to Beard in June 2022.
He said Esby failed to pay rent starting in November 2023 and still owes him $30,000. Johnson said Beard was evicted in May.
“It does feel like betrayal. It does feel like being taken advantage of, violated, because so many amazing vendors showed up and provided their services and talents and really delivered on an amazing event that benefited Esby,” Bianchi said.
She said as a single mother, not getting payments has affected her and other small businesses. She said one catering company that was hired had to let go of some staff members due to the payments not coming through.
“We want to shed a light, collectively, on our experience to protect others and just bring awareness that this has happened and it's not okay,” Bianchi said. “We want to hold Stephanie Beard and Gerald Tempton accountable for their unmet promises to financially compensate the small businesses that make Austin unique and special.”
Bianchi said she and several others have chosen to take this issue to small claims court. Right now, she is still waiting for a court date after filing a lawsuit.
KVUE reached out to both Beard and Tempton several times for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.