DULUTH, Ga. — Customers who arrived at the Rexall Grill in Duluth found a closed sign Friday afternoon instead of the usually busy kitchen.
Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland obtained documents showing grill owner Gail Herrin owed $500,336.60 in taxes, penalties and interest. The state's case dated back to January 2004.
"We've eaten here for 25 years," said diner Shirley Smith as she expressed her sadness to Strickland. "I can't believe that."
The iconic Gwinnett meat and three will even have to auction off its famous Coke memorabilia according to Strickland.
"Wow. I'm surprised. They do such a good business here," reacted patron Alicia Franco. "They should pay taxes, I'm sorry," she said.
Pharmacist Lynda Alley wants to work it out soon. She owns the building and most of the fixtures in the grill. She told Strickland she plans on reopening next month.
"We'll hire back the employees, the food and everything will be the same and we'll do it through our payroll system and taxes and everything will be paid," Alley pledged.
Leonard Anglin started the grill in 1968 and looked forward to the reopening. "Well I think it's a crazy thing that happened. It shouldn't have happened," said Anglin.
WSBTV
