MILLVILLE -- As Luke Kornbluh flipped the "Closed" sign for Looking Glass Café at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, a customer looked on from the street and asked how long the business would be closed."Forever," Kornbluh answered through the front window.
The Looking Glass shut its doors Sunday after nearly seven years in the Glasstown Arts District. Café owner Kornbluh said a rescinded tax abatement from the city led to a disagreement between him and his landlord over payment of back taxes, which Kornbluh said resulted in his decision to close the business.
His departure is somewhat sudden, the result of "irreconcilable differences" between him and his landlord, Kornbluh said. The matter is part of a civil lawsuit that is scheduled to beheard Thursday before Superior Court Judge James E. Rafferty in Woodbury.
In late 2006 and early 2007, Millville rescinded seven tax abatements from companies that previously had filed for the benefit. The reason: The companies had missed a 30-day deadline to file necessary paperwork after they were issued a certificate of occupancy. A watchdog group, Millville First, initially alerted the city to the paperwork problem.
One of the abatements was for the café's landlord, Aliano Bros. of Vineland, for the property at 12-16 N. High St.
The building's owner, Michael Aliano, declined to discuss the lawsuit Friday.
Kornbluh said the two sides were unable to come to an agreement over how to pay the roughly $11,000 owed in back taxes. He said he's angry at the city's role and that the landlord couldn't come up with a workable solution.
The Looking Glass had offered a menu dominated by sandwiches, wraps, salads and breakfast items.
Aliano said the restaurant will be replaced by a new one, named Quintana's, which will open March 1. The new eatery will offer a similar menu selection as the Looking Glass, said Aliano, who declined to identify the new owner.
"Luke had a great food there, and we have a good restaurant coming in behind them," he said.
Kornbluh, who opened the Looking Glass in July 2003, said he feels he succeeded in creating a nice, quiet place where people could enjoy quality food. The establishment employed 12 to 16 part- and full-time workers, mostly from Millville, he said.
"We were a cornerstone in the district," Kornbluh said, adding he was unsure of his future plans. "I don't know. It's up in the air."
The Vineland resident said he doesn't know if he'll open another restaurant, noting many new eateries have arrived in Millville since he opened the Looking Glass.
"The onset of competition in Cumberland County has been intense," Kornbluh said. "Dining in Cumberland County has become much more diluted than it used to be."
9 comments:
From what you say here, Millville First alerted the city that a company was in violation of a city ordinance. Do you have an issue with that?
From your title, it sounds like you blame Millville First for this business closing?
I say, "thank you Millville First"! $11,000 in back taxes that would have fallen on the backs of local taxpayers had it not been for Millville First. There are rules and regulations in place for a reason. If one does not meet the criteria, then so be it. Mark, do you infer that we should be able to pick and choose which rules and regulations are to be followed? If, in your opinion, it is necessary to point the finger of blame, then you should point it at those who oversee these tax breaks for not realizing that the applicant was not eligible. Don't blame those that are looking out for the interests of the majority.
Millville was never going to "lose out" on the tax money. The person paying it has only changed.
I'm so glad people are willing to see quality businesses close for what is truly a paltry sum.
I mean, we pay teachers $50,000 from the time they're hired, without any experience, when the median FAMILY income in Cumbo is about $30,000. That's what, like five Looking Glass restaurants, right?
It must be nice to live off the taxpayer's back and then complain about a tax-related issue you know nothing about.
I can't wait until Millville is a desolate wasteland. Then we can all be happy!
rt55blog if off the mark on this one. People who follow the law, point out the law, enforce the law...they're the good guys. Don't like the law? That's another story.
This title does imply that Millville First closed this business down. No they did not but the political perpose of this group is oppose most anything coming out of the elected Commissionors. They did not like the block parties (Now gone), they did not like UEZ $$(Threatnend)We all want efficant govenment but we need a govenment willing to make decisions to help the city suceed. I was being provotive, I admit. I am still waiting for the Millville First Plan for the City if they should get elected in 3 years. What is it about some downtown landlords that rather see a business die rather then work with them. I mean we are in a recession and it just baffles me.
Yes Mark, we are in a recession. And it should baffle you that our elected leaders would continue to spend and put our children and grandchildren in debt during this recession. When a business prospers, such as Target Industries, do they go to the municipalities and hand them large sums of money to make up for their tax breaks? No! But they expect the public to absorb their tax liabilities while they continue to make billions. Business is business. If you are going to start up a business it is hard work with little compensation in the beginning years. That, Mark, has never changed. And I believe it was the Commissioners who decided to do away with the block parties, not Millville First. Millville First questioned spending money on such items, during a recession and current tax increases. It was lack of money, thru the UEZ, that did away with the block parties. Elected officials need to be responsible. If you take the time to research, the late Mr. Emil VanHook asked our elected officials on more than one occassion "what is your contingency plan during this recession?" to which he received no answer. Then, when the budget came due, we received our answer. Raise taxes. The public cannot afford another tax increase and I, for one, thank those involved with Millville First for holding our elected officials accountable.
The question asked again and again, but never answered: "What is Millville First's plan for Millville? What kind of city do they think Millville should be?"
MFers are destroyers, naysayers, and have not done one constructive thing for the city.
Anonymous said...
The question asked again and again, but never answered: "What is Millville First's plan for Millville? What kind of city do they think Millville should be?"
MFers are destroyers, naysayers, and have not done one constructive thing for the city.
Yes, again it's Millville First's fault because they are naysayers. But it is interesting how the city is starting to realize (now that the extravagant meal has been consumed and the bill is due), that cuts have to be made. The same cuts that Millville
First has recommended for the past couple of years. Check out the UEZ Loans given to the arts district and the number of defaults regarding same. No, you will not find members of Millville First on this list. If the arts district is so successful, then why aren't they paying back their loans? Even a preacher, who is taking money to mentor young people, defaulted on his loan and then attempted to declare bankruptcy. All this, after taking UEZ money and Weed and Seed money. Face the facts, the dreams that some of our leaders had are no more than nightmares for the taxpayers.
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