Almost two years after Burke Decor began leaving its customers—including many designers—high and dry, the government is getting involved. On Wednesday, Ohio’s attorney general, Dave Yost, filed a suit against the Youngstown-based retailer, alleging over $380,000 in losses to more than 350 consumers.
“Consumers paid for high-end furnishings, but ended up with only frustration,” Yost said in a news release. “My office gave this company the opportunity to make this right, but empty promises don’t fill homes.”
According to the statement, Yost’s office had previously been working with Burke Decor to get some consumers’ issues resolved, but 256 cases remain open. That figure includes only those who filed a formal complaint with the AG—the total number of jilted customers is almost certainly far higher.
The suit accuses Burke Decor of violating Ohio consumer protection laws by misleading customers, failing to deliver merchandise, and then failing to provide refunds or make-goods. It asks the court for a permanent injunction to prevent Burke Decor from any further deceptive practices, a $25,000 fine for each violation of Ohio law, and full refunds for all of the company’s long-suffering customers.
In filing the lawsuit, Yost enters an already complicated legal fray. In December, FedEx sued Burke Decor, alleging $1.7 million in unpaid bills dating back to early 2023. The case is still active in federal court.
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Meanwhile, Erin Burke, the founder and president of Burke Decor, is wrapping up a complex personal bankruptcy case in her current home state of California. The proceeding, which began in the summer of 2024, combines Burke’s personal finances with those of her company—her creditors range from a regional bank to Pinterest. Late last year, her mother volunteered to front $1.5 million to pay back a percentage of the debt, a proposition that was accepted over the objection of some creditors.
Though Burke Decor has suffered plenty of attrition—it no longer lists brands like Four Hands or Noir—throughout it all, the site has remained live and seemingly operational. At press time, it was advertising 50 percent off bestsellers: “This sale won’t last—stock up now!”
