Pair Of Longtime Colorado Restaurants Shut Down In Tax Seizure

You know what they say... there's only two certainties in life: death and taxes. In the case of a longtime restaurant and its sister establishment next door, it's the latter who have cometh and closed their doors - at least for now.

Wash Park Grille and Agave, its Mexican cuisine neighbor, have both been seized by the City of Denver for non-payment of taxes dating back to April of this year.

Both restaurants are located on Gaylord Street at Mississippi Ave, obviously in the Washington Park area of Denver, southeast of downtown.

Wash Park Grille has occupied the space since 1997 and has been one of the area's most popular restaurants for many years, in particular special occasions and the holidays. Unfortunately those with plans to have their holiday parties there this year are currently left out in the cold as the city has put locks on the doors with a giant notice that says "TAX SEIZURE" and explains why the restaurants are closed.

Owner Jeff Etsey has said he's in the process of trying to secure the funds to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible, enabling customers to keep their plans and his staff of 80+ to keep their jobs, especially during this busy holiday season. He also says the business has been cash strapped due to thin margins and the costs of a lawsuit he's been involved in with the estate of his former business partner, who passed away a couple years ago.

That matter is set to go to trial in May.

No word on the progress of the lawsuit or the status of whether or not the restaurants will reopen in time for Christmas - or anytime soon at all.