Natasha’s Billiards and Lounge found a buyer Tuesday morning after going on the auction block to recoup about $22,000 in real estate taxes owed to the county.
James A. Roberts Jr., owner of Wings & Things, 409 Commercial St., paid $180,000 for the real estate and $25,000 for the inventory of the bar at 627 Commercial St.
As previously reported in The Gazette, the property and its inventory went up for auction as a result of the back taxes owed, which resulted in the property’s lien-holders seeking reimbursement. The auction originally was planned for early December, but the sale was canceled because of a federal tax lien filed by the IRS in the amount of $37,780.
ESB Financial had two liens on the property, one worth $119,000 and one worth $110,000. The Small Business Administration held a mortgage worth $87,000.
The Lyon County Appraiser put the value of the property, not including inventory, at $239,400 — $8,380 for the land and $231,020 for the building.
Natasha’s was opened in September 2005 by Becky Church and Eric Johnson. The business was a popular nightspot in downtown Emporia, known for its multitude of pool tables and its open atmosphere. The business closed its doors late last summer.
Roberts said he plans to reopen the bar much as it was before. It will be at least two months before the business can reopen.
“It takes 30 days for the State of Kansas to approve a liquor license, and then it takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks for the city to do their inspections and approve their liquor license,” Roberts said.
Roberts hopes to add a kitchen perhaps as soon as this summer, he said. He will also continue to operate Wings & Things.
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
hater620 It sounds like you're havin a tough time and making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,And they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows your name.
You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.
February 18, 2009 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
"Norm!"
Sam: "How's it going Norm?"
Norm: "Sammy it's a dog eat dog world out there and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear"...
February 18, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Woody: Jack Frost nipping at your toes, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Yeah, now let's get Joe Beer nipping at my liver.
February 18, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
Good for Roberts!
I ate at Wings and Things just tonight. I've been there several times, and enjoyed it every one. He's made a nice, clean place there. I hope he does the same for his new place.
February 18, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hater620 (anonymous) says...
thats funny rite there i loved cheers what a great show
i'm speaking the truth about this one seriouslyfolk u must not get out much
February 18, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I just thought I'd "cheer" you up a little.;)
February 18, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnDoe (anonymous) says...
707 was at its best when he was managing. Best bar in town for the college crowd. I heard it was an out-of-town owner that was the driving force behind the downfall. Cole's is a far cry from 707 in its day. As for Bamboozers, it did better than most expected given it was competing with much larger night clubs Josie's and Cole's. It had a good run but in the end, space was an issue.
If you think about it there's been a lot of ownership and/or name changes in downtown the during the last 10 years: 4th avenue is now Beer30, my place(and countless other names like The Palms, The Nest, Hoopsters) is now Josie's, johnnies is the blind, babe's is now mulligans, 3 amigos/Train is now Eclipse, sodie's became josie's before moving, hippies and harleys is something else, wheat state grille was an absolute disaster and is now Cole's, raw dogz(not as recent) is Jmos. The only one real mainstay left is Town Royal. I think it's the climate of downtown rather than James.
Natasha's was a great place before, I can't wait to see what James can do with it! Good luck James!
February 19, 2009 at 1:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
It's the nature of bars to go through a lot of adjustment before hitting the right formula. I loved shooting pool at Natasha's, I loved the great selection of draft beers and music on the juke box, but I stopped going because of the smoke. Please reopen with either no smoking, or segregated smoking (smoke upstairs and vent it through the roof), or I won't be able to come and have fun!
February 19, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Natasha's was one the least smokey places in town. I think it had to do with the fact it was so wide open. I just didn't go much because it was to expensive. I like the little hole in the walls "Where every body knows your name." I loved all the Cheers comments by the way. Has anyone heard the whole song? Its verses are kinda funny.
For what its worth JohnDoe, Hippies and Harleys is now Ironhead Saloon. It has pretty much the same crowd as before. A
February 19, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hater620 (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
February 18, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink )