The Wine Loft, an upscale wine bar and appetizer spot in the SouthSide Works, has filed for bankruptcy protection.

The bar remains open and intends to stay open throughout the reorganization process.

The Wine Loft Pittsburgh Inc. opened last autumn with hopes of opening five other locations within a 90-mile radius of the city. But the owners, Ashley Alessio and Joseph DeGruttolla, experienced credit problems from the start, mainly due to the nationwide credit meltdown. An original lender was acquired by another bank; the new lenders imposed stricter borrowing terms and forced the two proprietors to invest more of their own money upfront.

And on Wednesday, they voluntarily filed for bankruptcy protection, with a list of unsecured creditors that includes PNC Financial Services, Citibank and Bridgeway Capital.

The Wine Loft's bankruptcy attorney, Donald Calaiaro, said the filing was the result of higher-than-expected contracting costs and the tightened lending atmosphere. A settlement with the contractor fell through when the lender that was to finance the debt payments backed out.

The Wine Loft, a national chain based in Louisiana, has franchises from California to New Jersey. Pittsburgh has Pennsylvania's only location.

In mid-April, Tusca, another SouthSide Works lounge and restaurant, also filed for Chapter 11 protection, and several SouthSide Works retailers have closed since Jan. 1.

Many businesses, especially those facing East Carson Street, have reported that the road construction project on East Carson has hurt sales, and the Penguins long playoff run also hurt The Wine Loft, which has no TVs.