Platters Homestyle Diners Left Hungry After New Bedford Restaurant Seized

There were some disappointed diners in the South End of New Bedford over the holiday weekend. Visitors to Platters Homestyle Restaurant were hoping to enjoy pancakes, bacon and eggs, but ended up needing to look elsewhere for their weekend breakfast.

Platters Restaurant Seized by Massachusetts for Unpaid Taxes

Two bright orange signs posted on the doors and front window indicated that the business had been seized.

Platters Homestyle Restaurant is listed as the property of Brian Meaney. The signs stated that the business was “seized due to nonpayment of taxes and is now in possession of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The notice further warned, “Any person who attempts to tamper or interfere with this property will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” The sign was issued by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

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City Officials Clarify the Type of Taxes Involved

Neil Mello, Chief of Staff to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, checked the records at City Hall and confirmed that the seizure was not due to unpaid property taxes.

“Nine times out of 10, when a business is seized in the city of New Bedford, it has to do with unpaid income tax revenue, not property tax revenue,” Mello said. He added that the city rarely, if ever, shuts down businesses for failing to pay property taxes.

“Other avenues are taken,” Mello said.

The restaurant was locked up tight at noontime on Tuesday, a time when the restaurant would normally be open.

There's no word on how much back taxes are due in order to reopen the business.