Tax Issues Force North Point Restaurant to Close Abruptly

News of the abrupt closure last week has residents wondering what, if any, business will fill the spot located at 8031 Main St.  in downtown Dexter.

The restaurant closed Wednesday. Notices that all of the restaurant’s equipment was being seized for $17,178 in unpaid taxes to both the Village of Dexter and Scio Township were posted on the front of the building.

“It’s a shame. North Point had some of the best food on their menu,” said Jake Michelson, a customer and an Ann Arbor resident.

Steve Bauer, who represents Monument Park Investments LLC, which owns the building North Point was located in, said news of the restaurant’s closure came as a surprise.

“We knew that it was going to be vacating the property, but we didn’t know it was going to do it the way that it did,” Bauer said. “We were caught at a surprise just like everyone else.”

Bauer said he can’t comment on plans for the space right now. “We’re considering all of our options,” he said.

According to Village Manager Donna Dettling, the restaurant owes the village $3,257 in back taxes and $2,000 in unpaid water bills. Scio Township treasurer Donna Palmer said the restaurant also owes the township $11,066 in unpaid taxes from 2008, 2009 and 2010.

North Point is owned by residents Mark Perry and Robert Heebner and opened in 2007.

Palmer and Dexter Village Treasurer Marie Sherry met with Perry in January to work out a payment schedule to recoup property taxes from the restaurant, she said.

“Mr. Perry was working with us to pay the back taxes and agreed to pay us 'X' amount of dollars a month. He made the first payment on time, and then they closed the doors. We had no choice but to put the notice of seizure up,” Palmer said. “We were working closely with Mr. Perry to help him work though the payments. Unfortunately they were struggling, and there is a point where you have to sit down and say, ‘this can’t continue.’”

The abrupt closure also took organizers of the Education Foundation of Dexter’s March 19 fundraising committee by surprise. The foundation had planned to host their at the North Point, and has now changed the location to the Ann Arbor Country Club.

“We are excited that we are able to hold our annual event in this beautiful space located within the Dexter School District,” Jennifer Sortor, co-chairwoman of the auction said. “Our thanks go to Mike Weikle at AACC, who was able to make this happen so quickly and supports our cause to provide innovative educational programs to the students in Dexter.”

Attempts by Patch to reach the owner were unsuccessful Tuesday, and the restaurant's phone line has been disconnected.

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