Blade & Timber and Sinkers Lounge closed their downtown locations due to a dispute with their landlord over rent increases. The parent company, Swell Spark, was sued by Kansas City Live Block 124 Retail LLC for millions of dollars in rent and interest. The companies fell behind on rent payments and incurred late charges, leading to legal action. The landlord claimed the rent increases were justified, while the companies alleged they were charged incorrectly and unfairly. A bench trial has been scheduled to resolve the dispute.