You know what they say: death and taxes are the only two certainties in life. In the case of a long-standing restaurant and its sister establishment next door, the latter has cometh and shuttered its doors – at least for the time being.
The City of Denver has seized Wash Park Grille and its Mexican cuisine neighbor, Agave, for failing to pay taxes since April of this year.
Both restaurants are on Gaylord Street and Mississippi Avenue, in the Washington Park neighborhood of Denver, southeast of downtown.
Wash Park Grille has occupied the space since 1997 and has long been one of the area’s most popular eateries, particularly on special occasions and holidays.
Unfortunately, individuals who planned to hold their Christmas parties there this year are currently out of luck because the city has locked the doors and posted a large notice that reads “TAX SEIZURE” and explains why the eateries have closed.
Owner Jeff Etsey has stated that he is working to secure funding to reopen the restaurant as quickly as possible, allowing guests to continue their plans and his 80-plus employees to keep their employment, particularly during this busy holiday season.
He also claims that the company has been cash-strapped due to low margins and the costs of a dispute he has been involved in with the estate of his former business partner, who died a few years ago.
The case is slated to go to trial in May.
There has been no information on the status of the case or whether the eateries will reopen in time for Christmas, or anytime soon at all.