Tax Man Shuts Down Merla’s Sub Shop

John Merla

The New Jersey Division of Taxation has closed Jersey Shore Subs, the Keyport eatery owned and operated by the borough’s former mayor John Merla, according to a report on KeyportAnchorNews.

On Monday, November 2, Merla announced his troubles via facebook:

The Past 14 Days Have Without a Doubt, Been The Toughest Time For Me Personally, When The SAY The Devil Works 24-7 Thats No Bull !!! Yes It Is True My Store Has Been Temporarly Closed Down For The Past Week, The Little Orange Sticker Doesn’t Tell All Only What The Haters Want To Read…I Personally Can’t Believe The Amount Of Friends, Great Customers And Family That Have Reached Out To Me Or A Family Member To Try To Help, This Setback, Just Made Me Much Much Stronger Then Ever, We Have OptionsAnd We Are Weighing Our Options Very Carefully… Many Of You Want The Store Back OPEN, And That Is One Of Are Options…I Just Can’t Tell You How HARD I’ve Worked This Past 5 Years To Make A Little Business Work For Our Community, I Really Wasn’t Going To Write This But Because Of The Support For The Business And My Family I Had Too…. I’m Sure Those That Have Been Supportive Will Appreciate It, And Those Who Like The Drama, And Want To Continue To Hate,Love It Too…. All I Can Say Is We’re Looking At Every Option Possible….The Devil Might Work 24-7, But I Work Harder…… Anyone That Knows What I’ve Done And My Business Has Contributed, Knows Where My Heart Lies…….Thank You For Your SUPPORT!!!!!!!

Merla told MMM publisher Art Gallagher that a former employee complained to the State that his wages were paid in cash.

Posted: November 6th, 2015 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Keyport, Monmouth County, Monmouth County News | Tags: Jersey Shore, Jersey Shore Subs and Soups, John Merla, Keyport, Monmouth County News, NJ Division of Taxation | 1 Comment »

One Comment on “Tax Man Shuts Down Merla’s Sub Shop”

Gene B. said at 1:49 pm on November 7th, 2015:
Taking out a man’s livelihood and a popular business for the alleged non-payment of taxes?

Based on the few details here, it seems to me like a pretty harsh sentence – especially for something that never went to trial (not that a trial would necessarily justify this method of “tax” enforcement).