An Italian restaurant that was recently fined by the state for not paying its employees is listed as owing a large sum due to unpaid taxes. Meanwhile, one of its locations is closed again after a brief attempt to reopen.

Two LLCs associated with Alodia’s Cucina Italiana, which has locations in Irmo and Lexington, have been hit with nearly $73,000 in state tax liens in 2023. Three of these liens against the LLCs, Alodias 2 and Umberto Enterprises, come from failing to satisfy the state’s “sales and use” tax, while the others come from failing to satisfy the state’s “liquor by the drink” tax. The state Department of Revenue's website lists these liens as not having been satisfied.

The largest of the five outstanding liens from this year was filed against Alodias 2 in July for more than $36,000 in reference to the sales tax. 

The Alodia’s LLCs have been no strangers to liens from the department the past couple years, having five others filed against between 2020 and 2022, with three of those having been paid off this year, while two others were paid off in 2022. 

Alodia’s was also hit with one other lien in 2023, seeking funds owed to satisfy the liquor tax. That lien filed in July and satisfied later that same month.

The department doesn’t list amounts for the satisfied liens.

“The SCDOR has been very helpful,” Alodia’s owner Adam Huneau said in a brief statement to the Chronicle when asked about the liens. “We are truly appreciative of their willingness to help small businesses like ours navigate these difficult times.”

He didn’t confirm whether the listed balances are still outstanding, nor did he speak to Alodia’s plan to deal with the liens.

The Department of Revenue told the Chronicle there can be some lag in updates being posted to its website as to when liens are satisfied. The five liens against Alodia’s were still listed as unsatisfied as of Nov. 3 and had been listed as such since at least Oct. 20.

“In general ...  liens that aren’t listed as satisfied are still outstanding,” Tim Smith, public information coordinator for the department, said. “However, it may take up to 30 days for the payment to process and the satisfaction to be posted.”

If Alodia’s doesn’t satisfy its liens, it could face consequences.

“Business license holders can face revocation of licenses if they do not make or uphold arrangements with SCDOR to pay the debt,” White said. “It is possible for them to have a lien(s) and be in an arrangement with us. Also, state tax liens are active for 10 years. Those with liens filed against them cannot sell or refinance their property until they pay off their tax lien and receive a clear title. Tax liens also may lower credit ratings and impact their ability to get loans or financing.”

Alodia’s was hit with a fine of $2,100 last month following an investigation by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation after employees at the Lexington location took to social media to say they hadn’t been paid in two weeks back in June.

The Department of Labor detailed in its letter addressing the fine that the restaurant failed to pay wages to 18 employees amounting to more than $4,200 during the month of June.

That wage issue precipitated the departure of the full staff at the Lexington location, leading to a temporary closure. Due to an issue with the lease that required the Lexington restaurant to reopen, it resumed business July 12, with the Irmo restaurant starting its own temporary closure and sending its staff to Lexington.

The Lexington restaurant was briefly listed for sale in July, but the listing was taken down within about a week.

The Irmo location briefly reopened Oct. 17 before closing again.

“Thank you so much for your support of our Irmo Reopening,” Alodia’s posted to Facebook. “Unfortunately we need a little more time to bring you the Alodia’s experience you know and love. We are working hard towards normal hours but we will not be opening tonight. We will share updates via our social media pages and email newsletter.”