Oct. 24, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
A popular hot dog joint has been shut down for owing over $150,000 in taxes, according to the Department of Taxation and Finance.
The New York Dog House at 37-06 30th Avenue was seized on October 17, and currently owes $154,712.40 in back taxes, according to a spokesman for the Tax Department.
The spokesman added that the business has nine outstanding warrants against it, seven for sales tax and two for withholding tax.
Owner Vlad Stern said that he is working directly with the state to get his business back, and hopes to reopen by this weekend.
“We’re working on it but it’s just an unfortunate situation,” Stern said. “It seems unjustifiable to me, the state took such extreme measures.”
However a Tax Department spokesperson said that seizing a business is usually a last resort measure, and that they are “in constant communication with the owners long before they seize a business.”
Stern also posted a sign in the window of the restaurant, claiming that “it is with great sadness, extreme frustration, and due to unethical behavior of the Department of State we have to seize operations for now.”
He went on to write “As many of you know this place is run by honest, hard working, passionate, and dedicated individuals who have nothing but love for the New York Dog House.”
The New York Dog House opened in 2013, and focuses on serving specialty hot dogs with unique toppings, including chili paste, peanuts, baked beans, pineapple, avocado and many more.
Note left in window
