Last call comes for the Brewery
By Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
The Marietta Brewing Company, a longtime Front Street restaurant, bar and hot spot for the local music scene, closed its doors Monday in the midst of a battle over back taxes.
"It's a sad day," said owner Kevin Laughery, who closed the business after lunch Monday.
It remains for sale and could open again, he said.
"I think somebody will make a go of it and someone will buy it," Laughery said. "I'm not sure what's going to happen to the building right now."
The business, which employed 25 to 30 people, owes nearly $400,000 in federal back taxes as well as $33,342 to the Ohio Department of Taxation and $15,368 to a food service company.
The state taxes owed were interfering with the Brewing Company's state liquor license, which was set to expire earlier in the fall. The company was granted a one-month extension and then a stay that would enable the business to continue serving alcohol until its tax case was heard.
Laughery said Monday he closed because the extension was up that day.
Jada Brady, executive director of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, said her records show the business should still be able to serve alcohol.
"Their tax hearing has not occurred yet," she said. "I don't know why they closed their doors... but their stay order is in existence until their hearing occurs."
Laughery said there were two separate stay orders. While one remained in effect, the other expired Monday.
Brewery regular Shawn Miller, 26, said he had heard rumors for months that the business was closing but had hoped it wasn't true.
"It's the only place like that in Marietta," he said. "It has a different atmosphere than other bars - it's a little more sophisticated. And they brewed their own beer so a lot of people liked that."
Miller said he was a fan of the beer selection and even more importantly, the live music.
"There's going to be a big hole to fill there," he said. "So many good local bands played here regularly."
Kari Kennedy, 41, of Marietta, said she was shocked Monday by the news.
"It always seems packed in there," she said. "We come for dinner a lot, and I used to come when they did karaoke. I've never seen it empty."
The closure is a loss for the city, she said.
"It's sad to see a business close, period," she said. "But this one is especially sad."
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obamunismsux
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12-04-09 3:35 PM
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Amen to that Boondock
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deerwatcher
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12-03-09 8:07 AM
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How does someone not pay there taxes? When you collect from people? $400,000 wow
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boondock
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12-02-09 9:21 PM
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Seriously people.... a local business closes and most of you only have negative things to say. A guy tries to make a go of a business, it doesn't work and all you do is bash him and his family!The only time you have courage you have to speak out is on a blog (bc you are cowards).Honestly,this doesn't concern you that much!quite wasting you time on google looking up people and what they did.remember its always easier to bash those that tried than those, like you, who have never done anything!!
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obamunismsux
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12-02-09 9:28 AM
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Hey wjb...it was a freaking joke. Let it go. My comment is of no significance in your life nor is your crush on Hussein in mine. Communist sophisticates have no sense of humor. Oh, I'm sorry. Was that too immature and stupid and offended more of your elitist intellect.
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saintiaint
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12-02-09 12:56 AM
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heidi did time in 87 for embezzlement in ca. check it out googgle her name meadville pa
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IsaacEastwood
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12-02-09 12:51 AM
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lol @brownsbackers comment, lol. Sadly, the Brewery was a good place to hang out. I did used to go there from time to time. I'll miss it.
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Parrothead
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12-01-09 11:25 PM
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I knew this would happen after the "River Rat Browns Backers" started hanging out here. LOL
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IsaacEastwood
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12-01-09 11:08 PM
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The Locker Room dabbled in live music for 3-4 months this year. By all standards it was a failure :( We did live music every Thursday (the day the Brewery had a DJ and catered to the college kids). Thought maybe we could flip flop crowds a little... didn't happen. Their aren't many live bands in this area (ok, actually none that I know of) that draw just based on who they are. The bar scene in downtown Marietta is there, but the live music support is not. I looked into purchasing the Brewery, but for what Kevin needed it just wasn't worth it in regards to the fact that he was LOSING money. Overhead was high, things could have been tweaked here and there, but still wasn't worth the investment. I liked the place, and would love to make it run if it were half the original asking price (or less) but sadly it's done... for now anyway.
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mcphilosopher
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12-01-09 5:25 PM
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Regardless of your views of Kevin, or Heidi (thought that really has nothing to do with it), I don't think many people realize just what the MBC did for Marietta. Mentions in national publications, travel magazines and websites. The Brewery brought a lot of notoriety to this town, and without it on front street, several segments of the population stand to lose quite a bit. All of you can argue and complain all you want, but I don't think a single person here actually realizes the significance of what losing this business actually is.
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wjb331
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12-01-09 5:13 PM
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obamismsux: There were no other blatantly off-topic comments except for yours. All the others deal with the Brewery, and/or Kevin and Heidi and her problems....hardly off topic.
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Jason1965
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12-01-09 5:05 PM
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Great cities need great music venues. I really hope someone can re-open the place.
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surprised
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12-01-09 4:20 PM
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Who is going to take on the Brewery and all that is owed on it? I'm pretty sure before the state will give back the license (and they will take them) the taxes have to be paid which means he would have to sell it for at least $400,000!! Now we have 2 bars for sale, the Outskirts is for sale also, same problem, taxes, but the asking price on it seems reasonable.
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tingette
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12-01-09 2:17 PM
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can't spell "believer"
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tingette
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12-01-09 2:15 PM
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I am a firm believe that Kevin should have paid his taxes. I am afirm believe that if he did not he should be punished. Now, having said that, I am a firmer believe that all of our congressman and woman need to pay THEIR taxes, and if not they should be punished. Kevin and some congressman should share the same cell.
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airman1
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12-01-09 12:56 PM
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I really hate to hear that it is closed. Since the Crow Bar closed a few years ago, the Brewery was the only decent place left. The Townhouse is nice and has great food, but they don't have live music. Now we're stuck with the Locker Room, the 4 Diseases, Slapshotz/Riverside and the Double H*ll. Sure hope the Brewery can reopen soon!
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Alexander
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12-01-09 12:41 PM
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Too big to fall, or so they say now about the banks. What about a person who thinks that because they might have an important position in the city of Marietta and work closely with a mayor, that they are too big to fall? Doesn't the concept apply to people as well as banks? If a regular business or property owner in Marietta did not pay their city taxes, the city would foreclose on the property. Why didn't that happen to the Laugherys?
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obamunismsux
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12-01-09 12:24 PM
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Of all the comments on here off topic you pick the off the cuff joke that is applicable when it comes to owing fed. taxes to go after. You're right, you are very sophiscated and have a far more superior thought process. If having a problem with marxism is somehow stupid and immature...guilty as charged. Sorry to have offended your marxist love affair.
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Alexander
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12-01-09 12:07 PM
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I wonder if after one gets divorced does that mean one partner is no longer responsible for back taxes? You'd think Heidi would have to pay her portion. Last MT article on her was quite a while ago: *******mariettatimes****/page/content.detail/id/515149.html
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wjb331
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12-01-09 12:04 PM
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obumismsux: What a STUPID, useless and out-of-place comment. Why is it necessary for some people to have to get in a dig at Obama no matter how off topic it is? Immaturity at its worst!
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GOTOSCHOOL
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12-01-09 11:44 AM
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Exactly- it's unacceptable and smacks those in the face that work hard by the rules...
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Alexander
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12-01-09 11:31 AM
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Lots of folks have family, but if someone breaks the law, which she has done many times throughout her life, she should do the time. Like anyone else who is a criminal.She ruined more than one life in Marietta. It's time she faces at least one consequence of her actions. For years and years, the Laughery's were on the city's delinquent tax list for the many properties they own or owned. Things like that pile up, and sooner or later, hopefully...they catch up to those who thought themselves above the law...like Heidi.
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GOTOSCHOOL
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12-01-09 11:28 AM
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Her actions warranted the front page...she's a criminal.
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obamunismsux
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12-01-09 11:22 AM
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Are your lives all so clean as to take shots at them in a public forum when they have kids...pathetic. I barely know of the guy, don't like what I do know but also don't enjoy the failures of others. Be glad all of your shortcomings aren't front page news. Besides, they actually did a good thing because now they can work for the Obama administration, Strickland, or Charlie Wilson.
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CharlesUgeneFarley
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12-01-09 11:03 AM
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Love her, or hate her, and Kevin as well. A reduction in sentence- or even if the sentenced is suspended, is great for the family that is still trying to be a family. But now there are oven a dozen very powerful men with ruined careers and broken families. Thing will never be the same for the Laugherys, always looking over thier shoulders, keeping their backs to the wall and eyes on thier kids and possessions. In this digital age, you can't hide. We as men can forgive, but the internet will never let us forget.
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surprised
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12-01-09 10:53 AM
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We all know that if you run a business, you have to pay taxes! He has been busy enough in the past years to keep them paid, other businesses in town do it and believe me he wasn't the busiest bar in town and they keep up with the bills! From what I've heard, he couldn't make payroll this last few weeks, that together with the other money problems, he figured it wasn't worth it. Sometimes the hole you dig just gets deeper. I can't believe the state let him off as long as they did.
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