SCHENECTADY Parisi’s seized for unpaid taxes BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
The state seized Parisi’s Steak House, 11 North Broadway, on Thursday for failure to pay sales and withholding taxes, shuttering the restaurant until further notice. The corporation that owns Parisi’s — Iron World Inc. — owes the state Department of Taxation and Finance approximately $28,700 for 2007, said department spokesman Michael Bucci. Lisa Parisi is listed as the corporate officer. A phone listing for her was not in service, and she was otherwise unavailable for comment. A recording for the business said Parisi’s is closed temporarily and asked people to make reservations with Cornell’s Restaurant. A man answering the phone at Cornell’s said he was told that the Parisi’s closing was temporary. Bucci said the state seized Parisi’s as a last resort. “It’s the last thing in our tool bag,” he said. “In general terms, it always comes after extensive efforts to work with the taxpayer.” Businesses act as agents for the state: they collect taxes either through purchases or from employee wages and are obligated to send them to the state periodically, Bucci said. Employees are not at fault or at risk if their employers fail to turn in the withholding tax, he said. The state will “continue to work with the taxpayer after a business is seized,” Bucci said. “If in good faith they want to come forward and enter into a payment arrangement with us and stick with it, we will turn keys back over and they can resume business.” If no arrangement is made, the state will retain ownership of the business and auction its assets. The state liquidated the former Luigi’s Restaurant on Barrett Street in April after the owners failed to pay $81,223 in sales and withholding taxes between November 2004 and March 2007. Lisa and Mike Parisi opened Parisi’s in 2003, converting the former Bar One nightclub into a full-time restaurant.
SCHENECTADY Parisi’s set to reopen after tax seizure BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Parisi’s Steak House is scheduled to reopen today for dinner after reaching agreement with the state over delinquent taxes. The state Department of Taxation and Finance seized the 11 North Broadway restaurant on Nov. 1 for failure to pay sales and withholding taxes this year, closing it temporarily. Owner Lisa Parisi said she repaid $16,700 toward the $28,700 owed the state and will be repaying the remainder through installments. “We got them paid up and they gave us the keys. We have had so many friends and customers come and offer help,” Parisi said. The restaurant employs 10 people, all of whom are returning, Parisi said. State Department of Taxation and Finance spokesman Michael Bucci said Parisi “reached satisfactory arrangements with us and we are comfortable with allowing them to reopen and that their liability will be satisfi ed.” Bucci said the state doesn’t like to seize businesses. “We did it as a means to facilitate compliance. Our greatest hope is they come into compliance, begin anew and prosper.” Parisi is hoping that happens. “This is a good time to be in Schenectady; everything is positive and good,” she said. Parisi would not explain what led to her problems with the state. “There is no easy answer for things. A lot of things come together; summer was a little off,” she said. Parisi said she asked the state for additional time to pay off the taxes, prior to the seizure, citing the start of Proctors’ new season three weeks ago and the start of classes at Union College. The restaurant benefits from both venues, she said. “We are completely full when Proctors has shows, and we accept ‘Dutchman Dollars’ from Union College, and General Electric is adding new people every day,” she said. Parisi weathered some hard times downtown, she said, adding “revitalizing takes time.” But now she expects business to pick up, especially as the weather gets cooler. “I hope to have a gangbuster opening [today],” Parisi said. Parisi has applied for a small business loan with the city’s Schenectady Loan Development Corporation. If the loan is approved, she will use it for operating expenses, she said. Metroplex Development Authority Chairman Ray Gillen said Parisi’s loan is under review. He said the loan cannot be used to repay back taxes and must be secured by real estate and other assets. Parisi said she owns the building that houses the restaurant. The restaurant will be open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Parisi said she plans “to move to Mondays.”
I'm glad they will re-open. Although I can't help but wonder if this will just happen again. These businesses, along with the residents have to pay high taxes at both the local and state level. Clearly that is why most businesses don't come to NYS or they move out! I do wish them well and hope they can weather the 'tax storm' inflicted on us all!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
They closed permanently on Nov. 1st. As posted by me 3 weeks ago. Usual lag time.
The People's Gazetto flatly refuses to print any negative truths about Downtown. Parisi's Steakhouse found it impossible to compete with other eateries that received either a socialistic handout or tax reductions. We wish them every success in future business endeavors.
This closure can be put right at Metrograft Rays door step. Rays idiotic plan to base "revitalization" solely on restaurants and bars has failed miserably. Van Dyke, Big Hose, Parisi's.....It is time for Ray to resign in disgrace or be immediately terminated by the pathetic County Legislator.
We have never gotten the truth either from our local city/county officials, the plex or the gazette. They keep putting up those rose colored glasses on how great everything is. Sure things are so great that they shove a huge tax increase where the sun don'tshine.
And things are so great that the Mayor wants to give himself a raise. Things are so great that crime is rampant in thecity. (who would dare to walk at night?) Things are so great that Proctors can't sustain itself and continues to rely soley on taxpayer's money. Including Morris who runs the place. Things are so great that they could even create a position for Kosiur for $80grand, to do the same identical thing that all of the non-profits do. Things are just so damn great that we are one of the highest taxed counties in the COUNTRY!
And lastly, things are so great that they are now trying to shut down the only 'free press' left in this county. The Rotterdam and Schenectady message boards!! And they are trying to use the gazette to accomplish that!!!
Tell me that's not a dictatorship!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Logged
They closed permanently on Nov. 1st. As posted by me 3 weeks ago. Usual lag time. 
