Centennial, Colo.-based convenience store and gas station chain Western Convenience Stores Inc. has filed for chapter 11 protection, the Denver Business Journal reported yesterday. The company operates 43 locations throughout Colorado and Nebraska, and its bankruptcy filing stems in part from a dispute between Western and Kansas City-based Suncor Energy Inc., according to attorney Lee Kutner, of Kutner Brinen Garber, who is representing Western in its bankruptcy proceedings. Western owes Suncor $7 million, according to the bankruptcy documents, making Suncor Western's largest creditor. Other creditors include Offen Petroleum, owed $2.3 million, and High Plains Bank, owed $1.6 million.
