February 27, 2008
Murky Coffee's Capitol Hill Location Shut Down
Apparently Starbucks wasn’t the only coffee shop closed yesterday. According to a post on Murky Coffee's website, their Capitol Hill location was shuttered on Tuesday by the D.C. government.
We've had a hiccup with the DC Government, and were shut-down for a couple of non-compliance issues. We're in communication with them, and expect to be back up-and-running in a couple of days.An employee at their Arlington location told us this afternoon the issue is related to back-taxes owed to the city. Owner Nick Cho apologized to his customers for the inconvenience. It’s a bit of disconcerting news coming from a top-notch, local favorite. We hope they do indeed get it sorted out soon.
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At least it wasn't rat poop or something nasty like that.
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rat poop is fixable. back taxes be real bad.
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When it comes to somewhere I'm eating or drinking, I'd definitely prefer some issues with taxes than issues with the health department.
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Two years ago I would have shit a brick at this news, but with Sidamo and Sova open (and closer to the Rat's Nest) this is a little easier to take. Still, I hope Nick gets this straightened out.
I wonder if this was a scene like when IRS agents were collecting people's bills at the place that became Mr. Henry's.
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It's sad to see any business in my neighborhood close. but murky is not all that. it's small and dirty and unpleasant.
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Thanks for the well-wishing.
Sorry that we're so small and dirty and unpleasant.
Is that better, or worse than "big and dirty and unpleasant?"
Tax stuff is no fun. We should be good to go in a day or two, barring any unreasonable sort of surprises tomorrow morning from the DC DCRA.
I've gotten a surprising amount of emails from people who claim some sort of clout in the DC Government, with offers of "help." Totally appreciated... but that sort of assistant might be more appropriate if our problem were indeed rat-poop related.
Nick from murky coffee
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I've been a big fan of Murky for about a year now. I went to the location a few days ago to find it closed. I emailed Nick, who gave me a very nice reply alluding to the tax issue.
As I've learned more about this, I've gotten a little ticked off. The establishment owes back sales taxes. A LOT of back sales taxes. This means that the money that me, you, and every other customer was paying out of their hard-earned cash to pay sales taxes was kept by the business, rather than being passed through to the tax authorities. It was OUR money and we Murky was entrusted to pass it through to the city! This tax revenue is what helps keep our great city as clean, safe, and as updated as possible.
I am an accountant by trade and work with small businesses, so I've seen all kinds of "survival tacticts". There is stupid and there is "shady". The more I learn about this, the more my opinion shifts toward "shady". No latte art can reverse that breech of trust that I now feel has taken place every time one of us handed Murky that extra percentage for sales taxes. If Murky does re-open, I won't be returning.
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Whoa! It's just coffee. Taxes can be sorted out.
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lol. Get over yourself. It's great coffee. Go buy a cup without starting a crusade.
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Sounds like you're jumping to all kinds of conclusions there MarkyMark, unless you know something the rest of us don't. Personally, the interactions I've had with the DC government leave me inclined to give Murky the benefit of the doubt for now, to say the least.
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Personally, the interactions I've had with the DC government leave me inclined to give Murky the benefit of the doubt for now, to say the least.
No doubt. Just because you've made a good faith effort to comply the law, pay your taxes, etc. doesn't mean that the DCRA won't swoop down on your ass like the wrath of God almighty.
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It's a tax thing... pay the back taxes and the appropriate interest and fines, and we'll all move on.
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Personally, I started boycotting Murky in EM a long time ago. Every. Single. Time. I've gone into Murkey at EM, I've been mistreated.
And the coffee is awful.
I simply refuse to go there. Why pay so much for a cup of coffee and an extra shot of bad attitudes when Port City Java is just up the way and delicious and so incredibly NICE? Or to Sidamo. Or Sova. Or Ebenezer's. Hell, I'd go to Starbucks before Murky at EM.
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@JenK - What kind of mistreatment have you suffered at Murky?
I'm not disputing your characterization, it's just that I've never been treated poorly there or had anything other than excellent customer service. However, a close friend of mine made a similar complaint so I'm interested to hear more.
Cheers,
HR
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Everyone is always super nice to me at Murky. Not even close.
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Apparently, I don't know the secret handshake to actually be able to order there. A typical experience usually includes standing in line directly behind other customers, moving up to the register, only to have the cashier/barista look directly at me and then walk away to clear the bar area, or to wipe down tables... leaving me standing there.
This has happened multiple times.
Once, I finally said something and got a major eye roll and a big sigh. She continued wiping down the tables, cleared some plates... walked back around the bar, SLAMMED them down on the counter in front of me and said "WHAT? What DO YOU WANT?"
I turned and walked out, never to return.
Now, I'm not unreasonable-- I know that working in a coffee place is hard work. People can be incredibly rude and treat people like they're somehow lesser beings because they're serving coffee... I'm not one of those people. I cherish my baristas. I know people have bad days. I get that. But to have this happen multiple times, with many different employees indicates a culture in the workplace that I simply can't support.
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@JenK
i know and am friends with the baristi at murky and i can not think of one let alone several baristi that would treat people that way.
i call bs on your story.
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@ Sypriss
"Call BS" all you like-- if it hasn't been your experience at Murky, then that explains why you still choose to go there.
It HAS been my experience. I've had other people witness it (my sister in town for a weekend, another friend down from New York, and a barista friend from Seattle who all were appalled.) I feel no need to convince you.
I'm not starting a picket line or handing out flyers-- I'm stating my experience and using those experiences to make my decision on which coffee house on the Hill I'll patronize. It won't be Murky Coffee, whether or not your friends work there.
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Fight!
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+1 for EM Murky love. I routinely order my Mochas like a confused tourist, and they give me nothing but love right back.
Yum.
Yes, I registered to support the Murkys.
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Oh man, my avatar sucks... (That was supposed to be the caffeine molecule)
I need to stay off the internets.
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Hmm. JenK, makes me wonder what Murky's side of the story is and what they have to say about you.
*my name aint blittle for nuthin*
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As far as Murky, I can take em or leave em. It's usually too crowded and loud in there for my tastes. But they pale in comparison to the truly strange service I've gotten at Jacob's on 8th and D NE. They basically weirded me out of coming back.
I love Mimi so I'm pretty much a Sidamo fan at this point. Plus they roast it right there on the premises and it tastes divine.
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Sales Tax is collected from every customer to go directly to the city on the 20th of every month. If you owe over $200,000 you obviously have not paid for at least two years. it’s not “neglecting to pay some taxes at one point”. What is asinine is Ben does not feel robbed when the extra 10% he paid was going into the owner’s pocket and not the DC government as it should of.
I for one feel betrayed and will never go there again.
P.S. The worst customer service ever!!!!!!!!
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But they pale in comparison to the truly strange service I've gotten at Jacob's on 8th and D NE.
That place is the worst!
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It would be nice to get a good explanation from Murky that doesn’t include the word hiccup. According to DC, they owed $264,000.00 in back taxes last spring. See http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/otr/frames.asp?doc=/otr/lib/otr/tax/delinquent/Delinquent_Taxpayers_Restaurants_May07.pdf
That’s doesn’t sound like a hiccup. If they have been charging us sales tax and pocketing the money… tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars… didn’t they get what they deserve?
I hope there is a good explanation. I’d like to hear it.
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Interesting that a thread on Murky could inspire so many new registrations (at least 6 by my count) and so much vitriol.
I realize that I'm totally in the tank for Murky, so I'm probably just rationalizing here but this is hardly the first time (nor will it be the last) that business hasn't paid its taxes in full or on time. I'm also extremely dubious about the $264K figure that the OTR has on its website. Keep in mind that this is the same OTR that has been looted for $50M over the last 20 years and no one noticed. Think there may be a chance that they don't have their numbers straight?
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Collecting the sales tax and then not paying it has a long history in DC. There used to be a corner store on 8th Street that would charge 'tax' on food items and they'd get very upset when customers questioned it (for those that don't eat, there is no tax on unprepared food items in DC). There's no chance in hell that 'tax' was going to DC coffers.
I don't know the deal with Murky Coffee. IF they have been collecting sales tax and keeping it then that is pretty crappy.
Or maybe it's that the DC tax office collection bunch demanded free lattes with their $50 million stolen funds and Murky didn't pony up fast enough.
In DC, it could go either way and I wouldn't be surprised.
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There was negligence (though not willful), due to financial mismanagement. Once made aware of our negligence last year, we’ve been working with DC to live up to our obligations and recompense the city. Getting shut down on Tuesday was an unexpected shock though, but there’s no point in my complaining about it now.
It would indeed be crappy if I was intentionally "pocketing" sales tax that was collected from customers. That wasn't the case.
Overall, thanks for the support, and we’re sorry to all, particularly those who feel betrayed. We’re working with the DC DCRA to get reopened ASAP.
Hillster, that amount was not accurate. It's a long story, but it's wayyy high. Part of what needed to be worked out with DC was adjusting amounts to the actual negligence. "Hiccup" was a euphemism for sure.
JenK: When did this stuff happen? I don't doubt your story, but I also don't know of a staff member who would act in this way, except for 2 or 3 over the past 4 years who I had to fire. I have never raised my voice to an employee in 6 years in business, but if an employee acted that way, they would have broken my streak and been fired on the spot.
Feel free to email me with any questions or comments or feedback or lovemail or hatemail or anything at nick@, with "murkycoffee.com" on the end.
Nick (murky's owner)
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I knew the shop was closed but I didnt read the signs on the window until today. Murky was "SEIZED" by the DC Government!
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I am the Crepe Guy from EM on Saturdays. I find it quite difficult for me to make my wonderful crepes without my Morning fix From my friends at Murky Coffee .Please tell me there is some progress
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@crepe guy
Love your crepes.
I dunno, word 'round the campfire is that it may be a while before this situation gets resolved. I really feel for the folks that worked there, this has really gotta suck to get caught up in some BS like this.
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Thanks for the Kudos, Hillrat
If any of the staff from Murky are reading this blog, Please
come and get a crepe on me. No questions asked, Just sad smiles.
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Murky Coffee at Eastern Market has been up for sale for quite some time now so maybe they finally got a buyer and the DC tax officials swooped in during due diligence on the buyer's part. I doubt that they will reopen anyway. The landlords want them out and DC is not known for being patient when it comes to large sales tax bills. At least there are many other good options for coffee now in the neighborhood.
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When I was first charged $5 for a chai latte I thought I was duped-then to find out that part of that money was going straight into someone else's pockets instead of paying DC taxes-now I feel as if I have been bent over.
Tsk tsk Murky Coffee, you have now lost an extremely loyal customer. Shame on you.
I should have known that a "cash only" policy was a more than just inconvenient.
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$400,000 in back taxes is what I hear! All of those $7 coffees add up quick, I guess!