Armed Police Raid Tennessee Diner Looking for $180,000 in Back Taxes… For Two Months Worth of Sales

“These men came in with badges around their necks and kicked my customers out. It was like a police raid,” Perkins said of the proceedings Wednesday morning.

Lunch diners were disappointed to be greeted by a closed sign and several postings stating City Cafe was closed because of “nonpayment of Tennessee State taxes by virtue of a levy issued by the Department of Revenue, Tax Enforcement Division … ”

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“I had an interesting cup of coffee this morning,” said Henry Phillips of Henry’s Florist shop, located at the corner of Church and East Main streets. “Just after 9 this morning, they asked us to leave. They waited until the bulk of people had completed their meals and then ushered us out.”

Perkins took over the 100-plus-year-old business in 2007. The downtown restaurant, touted as being the “original meat-and-three” place in the city, is at 113 E. Main St.

“I had no idea this was coming,” Perkins said. “They did not alert me.”

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The Department of Revenue requires businesses to pay sales tax based on the income of sales made. Perkins said the state is asking for $180,000 for two months. Based on the 9.75 percent sales tax in Murfreesboro, that would account for more than $1 million in sales made at the restaurant.

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