Bankruptcies down, two N.H. businesses file in Feb.

Despite the extra day in February this leap year, some 350 New Hampshire households and businesses filed for bankruptcy last month, which was 54 (or 13.3 percent) fewer than in February 2011 and 156 (or 30 percent) fewer than in February 2010. However, the month did see 34 more bankruptcies than January 2012. Still, this is the 15th straight monthly decrease year over year, so there is little doubt that the trend is toward fewer families unable to pay their bills.Only two businesses filed, and one related to a filing from the previous month. At deadline, both failed to file required schedules on time and have tentatively been dismissed. They are: New England All Star Consulting, LLC, Nashua, filed Feb. 10, Chapter 11. Assets and Liabilities: $100,000 to $500,000. Signed by Vatche Manoukian, a well-known Nashua developer and landlord, whose firms own numerous properties that have previously filed for bankruptcy protection. Dismissal pending. Stacey Jane’s LLC, aka Stacey Jane’s Grill & Bar (related to The Pines Ocean Boulevard LLC, which owns the real estate and filed Jan. 13, 2012), Hampton Falls, filed Feb. 13, Chapter 11. Assets: Less than $50,000. Liabilities: $500,000 to $1 million. Dismissal pending. — BOB SANDERS/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW