West Village Two Boots Seized By State Tax Department

WEST VILLAGE, NY — The West Village outpost of popular Cajun pizza chain Two Boots was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance over unpaid taxes.

The 201 W. 11th Street slice shop has five outstanding warrants totaling more than $154,000 in unpaid levies, according to state records.

Two Boots owner Phil Hartman said mounting costs — including a hefty rent — caused expenses to pile up at the location. He is in talks with the state to reach an agreement and reopen the restaurant, he told Patch.

“We’re hoping to be back open this weekend. We’re trying to work it out with the state,” said Hartman. “It’s very difficult to keep up a business in New York — it’s a very high rent. We are hopeful that we will get it all worked out.”

A note on the storefront apologizes for the inconvenience and encourages customers to visit one of its nine other locations in the city. Customers who call the outpost will be redirected by Two Boots staff.

The Village Two Boots has been slinging slices on the corner of Greenwich Avenue and W. 11th street since March, 1995 and is one of 14 locations peppered across New York, New Jersey, Los Angels and Tennessee.

Hartman doesn't plan on shuttering the spot and hopes to have it back up and running by Saturday.

“We love the neighborhood and we’re doing everything we can to resolve this," Hartman said.

Photo courtesy of Two Boots