State closes downtown Arlington Heights coffee shop

A popular downtown Arlington Heights coffee shop was shut down on Thursday because the store's owner is a year behind paying some state taxes, according to state officials.

Biggby Coffee, 21 S. Dunton Ave., was closed by the Illinois Department of Revenue, according to a sign posted on the door of the business. Biggby's owner Paul Woyat also posted a sign, saying he was working with state officials to resolve the problem.

"The owners have not filed a sales tax return going back more than a year and not paid withholding tax for the same time period," said Mike Klemens, a spokesman for the Department of Revenue. "I would point out in both of these cases, the money we're talking about is not theirs. Sales tax money is paid by Biggby's customers and withholding taxes are money that wasn't paid to their employees."

Both sales and withholding taxes are supposed to be paid monthly. Klemens wouldn't disclose the amount of money Biggby's owes the state.

Woyat couldn't be reached for comment on Friday. On the sign, he said, "I deeply apologize for our break in service and I do look forward to serving you again soon. Again my apologies, Paul."

Calls to Biggby's corporate offices were not returned.

In September, state officials held a hearing about Biggby's delinquent taxes. Woyat didn't attend the hearing, Klemens said.

Biggby's could "reopen tomorrow" if Woyat pays a large portion of the taxes he owes and agrees to go on a payment plan, Klemens said.

"Our hope is that they get their act together and pay their taxes," he said. "It's our desire they reopen."

Arlington Heights deputy director of finance, Bob Buechner, said Biggby's owners are also "behind a few months" in paying their village food and beverage taxes.

Biggby's opened in the downtown spot in 2006 as Beaners Coffee, but Beaners' outlets later were renamed Biggby. The shop is a locally owned franchise of Biggby, which has 150 stores in nine Midwestern states.