Newtown's BLC Beauty Closes After Family Dispute

NEWTOWN, PA — BLC Beauty in Newtown has closed. According to a sign posted on the door, the shop closed due to the costs of litigation between the store owner and her father.

"On June 29, my father won a victory in federal court in a lawsuit he brought against me, my husband and BLC Beauty, Inc. My own father suing me, there are no words for this," the sign reads.

In June, after a four-day trial, a jury ruled in favor of Nina Kaplan's father, requiring her and her husband, Michael, to pay back $2.13 million in connection with a family dispute over operation of the business.

Kaplan's father, Ted Levy, says he built the business from scratch and later entrusted his son-in-law and daughter to operate it, according to information from his law firm. However, in 2016, due to suspicions about poor business results, Levy fired Michael Kaplan and hired a forensic accountant to review the company’s books and records.

Levy's firm filed the lawsuit against the couple in September 2016, alleging they embezzled from and defrauded Levy in an attempt to support Nina Kaplan’s competing businesses, which lost almost $1 million over the last 8 years, according to the Spector Gadon & Rosen law firm.

Levy also alleged they used a company-issued credit card to make unauthorized purchases of personal items and inventory for BLC Beauty, failed to pay rent for T.Levy Associates’ main office, and used company funds to repay Nina Kaplan’s personal gambling debts as well as BLC’s business-related debts.

However, Nina Kaplan says she is "fighting with every ounce of my soul to right this unjust and outrageous decision," according to the sign on the now-closed shop's door.

She also thanked her customers for their support.

"I want to thank the beautiful people of Newtown for your love and support," the sign said.

PHOTO: Patch file photo