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Advertisement State closes Mahogany's at The Banks over back tax payments State won't disclose how much is owed Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A troubled restaurant at The Banks is closed again.Mahogany's was closed Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Taxation.The state said the restaurant did not pay its sales taxes.The amount in question was not released.The department said it was standard procedure to close any restaurant that failed to pay its taxes for two consecutive tax periods or three times in 12 months.If the restaurant pays the amount owed, it will be allowed to reopen.One employee told WLWT News 5 that her last paycheck bounced and that she and other employees received a call Tuesday telling them the restaurant would be closed and they would have the day off.A city spokesman said owner Liz Rogers was also behind on a city loan repayment. He stressed that it was in everyone's best interest that the restaurant remain open so it can continue paying its employees and repaying its debts.Mahogany's got a new general manager and menu in July in hopes of increasing business.Mike Comisar, the former co-owner of the famed Maisonette, took the reins. Rogers will still own the restaurant, but Comisar will help with the changes.Rogers has been under scrutiny in the past over missed rent and loan payments.The city of Cincinnati loaned Rogers $300,000 to open the restaurant in July 2012. She also received a $684,000 grant.Rogers owed $50,000 in back rent payments to The Banks' developer earlier this year.The soul food restaurant is the only African-American-owned business at The Banks.Rogers previously said a harsh winter hindered business.