DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — A DeKalb County Dunkin' Donuts restaurant was forced to close up shop Thursday after Georgia state revenue agents said the owners failed to pay close to $130,000 in sales taxes.
Channel 2's Richard Elliot watched agents take over the doughnut shop on Buford Highway just after 10 a.m.
Dunkin' Donuts Shut Down Over Unpaid Taxes
"I don't want to say anything. Everything's fine, anyway," said a woman who employees identified as one of the owners, Teresa Khan.
According to three liens posted on the store's front door, Khan, Inc. owes $128,383 in unremitted state sales taxes, covering a two-year period from November 2007 to October 2009. State officials told Elliot that the company filed the proper paperwork, but never paid any money.
PHOTOS: Dunkin' Donuts Shut Down PDF: Liens Filed Against Donut Shop
Customers hated to see agents close the shop, but most had little or no sympathy for the owners.
"Very good coffee," said Yesenia Cienfuegos. "But, you know, they've got to pay their taxes."
Revenue officials told Elliot that if the owners can come up with the money by the end of the day, they can have the shop back. They didn't say what would happen if the money is not repaid.
At least half a dozen store employees are now without jobs. Elliot asked one of them what her futures plan are.
"I don't know what I can do. Maybe I can apply at another Dunkin' Donuts," said Mita Alam.