Business & Tech

Limestone Remains Open, but Has IRS Tax Problems, Records Show

A lien was filed against the business in August seeking to secure more than $61,000 in back taxes, according to documents in the county recorder of deeds office.

Update/7:30 a.m. Wednesday:

Limestone Brewing Company co-owner Janet Isley said today the business' tax problems are being addressed and a payment plan is in place to resolve the debt.

She declined to say when payments would be complete, nor would she discuss the situation with the restaurant/brew pub's landlord other than to say that they are open for business.

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"The doors are open," Isley said. "(Brewmaster) Ken (McMullen) started brewing yesterday. ... We wouldn't be brewing beer if we weren't staying open."

Posted at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday:

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remains open, but its issues may extend beyond problems with its landlord.

Will County Recorder of Deeds office records show the Internal Revenue Service filed a lien against the business -- which is incorporated under the name Hospitality Development Group -- in August 2011 to secure more than $61,000 in back taxes.

Calls seeking comment from Limestone owners Janet and Douglas Isley have not been returned since Saturday, when business adviser the business was having undisclosed problems with landlord Joe Ardivitch and Ardmin Development, which owns the strip mall in which Limestone is located.

Despite rumors that the business was in imminent danger of closing, spurred in part by the fact that employees were informed of that possibility last week, the 2-year-old restaurant/brew pub at 12337 S. Route 59 remains open.

One of those employees was brewmaster Ken McMullen, who sent out a note encouraging people to come over for what could be a final drink on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Limestone posted a note on its Web site and Facebook page thanking patrons for their support and informing them that "we opened our doors at 11 a.m. this morning, again ready and waiting to serve you."

According to the State of Illinois Liquor Control Commission, which issues state liquor licenses, Limestone has four partners: Janet Isley, who owns 44.58 percent of the business; her husband Douglas, with 19.75 percent; Robert Monaco, 24.83 percent; and Steve Baker, 7.50 percent.

Steve Caton, perhaps the person best known for his ties to Limestone, sold his portion of the business to the partners in September, he said. He's no longer involved in any aspect of the brew pub, and his family's real estate company never had any connection to the business, he said.

Ardovitch, who has been the Ardmin representative dealing with tenants in the strip mall, has not returned phone calls for comment. It is known that the property is in foreclosure and Ardmin in bankruptcy, but it's not known how -- or if -- that has any connection to the Limestone situation.

Limestone is the third tenant to have problems with the location in the last year. closed in July and in December. The restaurant, located in the strip mall since 2003, closed on New Year's Eve, with a new restaurant -- the Red Rooster -- said to be opening in its location later this month.


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