It was vacant for a while, then re-opened and closed down for safety reasons. Then re-opened and closed again by the fire marshal.
Now it’s called the 49th Star Inn.
|
|
Apparently the new owner has gotten crosswise with city over $65,000 in unpaid property taxes. That burden falls on the shoulders of either the past owner or the current one. The city isn’t going to issue a business license until those tax payments are remedied. That’s how it should be.
The reason the taxes are a problem is because the new owner bought the business from the former owners. Had he gone through a proper lending institution, those taxes would have raised a red flag on the transaction.
The owner is blaming the city for keeping him out of business.
That claim seems absurd.
Palmer has been openly recruiting businesses so it can have a more stable tax base. To deliberately set up unreasonable obstacles in front of a business owner would be counter to the city’s desires.
Palmer is woefully lacking in hotel-motel rooms, making it hard to attract even the smallest conventions. To eliminate more rooms would also be counter to what Palmer needs to attract meetings and house tourists. The city manager has his sights on building a civic convention center. What good will that be if Palmer has fewer rooms than already exists?
Granted, one might wonder if Palmer really needs another bar, but not having a hotel downtown, within walking distance to the visitor’s center, would be short-sighted.
It’s hard to believe there is animosity against any owner of that business. The Palmer Chamber of Commerce used to have its weekly luncheon meetings there until the fire marshal stepped in.
In fact, having a shuttered building like that would be a real eyesore and that certainly wouldn’t look good to other prospective business people. An empty storefront on the main drag would carry the stench of town going belly up. That’s a not an image city leaders want. It’s hard enough to get people to take the Glenn into Palmer instead of rolling right along the Parks to Wasilla.
The new owner has said he is willing to pay the taxes, but can’t pay the whole bill at once. In short, it seems like the city should set up some kind of payment plan so it gets its taxes and a business can open its doors.
Comments
21 comment(s)The Right Thing wrote on Apr 2, 2009 12:01 PM:
Hockey Mom wrote on Apr 2, 2009 9:57 AM:
jn wrote on Apr 2, 2009 6:22 AM:
Archangel Productions AK wrote on Apr 1, 2009 8:05 PM:
Archangel Productions AK wrote on Apr 1, 2009 8:03 PM:
My 2 cents worth wrote on Apr 1, 2009 6:48 PM:
Whoever owns it, past or present!
Harrass them!! "
vallyite wrote on Apr 1, 2009 6:46 PM:
Alaskan Girl wrote on Apr 1, 2009 5:49 PM:
did you know he was advertising for Go-Go dancers? I'm not saying im against giving him a chance, let him pay atleast half the back taxes before he opens though. If he classes up his ideas, I will not only wish him luck, but would even support his business. but come on now.. Go-Go dancers in Palmer? and writting on the windows like he did is just Tacky. "
Joel Costonis wrote on Apr 1, 2009 4:44 PM:
For those of you, including the author, who write buyer beware, yes, indeed you are all correct. I made the foolish assumption that because I bought this entity from a Jack White Realty Top Producer, that all of what I was told I took as fact.
At the end of the day, our attorney has told us that one can not be responsible for anothers bills [in this type of situation].
Thanks Again, Joel "
to Valley Kid wrote on Apr 1, 2009 11:55 AM:
Valley Kid wrote on Apr 1, 2009 10:59 AM:
born-n-raised wrote on Apr 1, 2009 12:50 AM:
Palmer will kill a business when it wants to.
If it likes you, you'll make it. If Palmer doesn't like you; then hit the road.
Things never change and I've been watching Palmer since the 60's.
And . . . personally Carmony can go bye-bye any time now. You and Duffy are an imbarassament. "
President of the United States wrote on Mar 31, 2009 7:12 PM:
This isnt right wrote on Mar 31, 2009 4:21 PM:
mary wrote on Mar 31, 2009 2:56 PM:
That building is right as you come into town.
As for the restaurant, it didnt look very appealing - trying to be everything to everyone with food (chinese-american-BBQ- etc...) Make one thing good vs a smorgesboard of mediaocracy.
Palmer is a great town, it needs quality & quantity for a good price. FYI
The former owner was married to a real estate agent / broker. "
Back2Maine wrote on Mar 31, 2009 2:28 PM:
Editor wrote on Mar 31, 2009 8:51 AM:
Buyer Beware wrote on Mar 31, 2009 8:32 AM:
Buyers remorse wrote on Mar 31, 2009 6:32 AM:
As for the taxes I'm glad the City has taken a stand. The logical fix is to set up some kind of strict payment plan and let them open the doors. "
John wrote on Mar 31, 2009 1:51 AM:
Life Long Alaskan wrote on Mar 30, 2009 11:46 PM: