Downey's, the landmark bar, is facing sheriff's sale
Its liquor license is listed in state records as being in safekeeping, and city records show that the building is up for sheriff sale on May 3.
Downey's - the once-bustling bar at Front and South Streets - appears to be closed, following a decline over the years.
Its liquor license is listed in state records as being in safekeeping, which means it cannot legally serve alcohol.
City records show that the building is up for sheriff's sale on May 3. City records show $80,712.43 in taxes, interest, and penalties for 2013 to 2016.
Last year, the property was put on the market at $2.9 million.
Jack Downey opened in 1976 and sold the business and property in late 2003 to Domenico Centofanti, his chef.
Jon Taffer of the series Bar Rescue taped a makeover of Downey's in 2011, shortly after the city had shut down the bar for two days after a disastrous health inspection.
All this unpleasantry followed a bankruptcy filing in 2010 and a threatened sheriff's sale in 2011 to satisfy nearly $2.4 million owed to Wells Fargo and the city. Downey's was identified in 2011 as one of the city's top deadbeats, owing $125,881 in business-privilege, wage, liquor and other taxes. A repayment plan had been worked out.
Court documents show IRS and state tax judgments, as well.
Centofanti did not return a message for comment.
In other sheriff's sale news: The building at 246-248 Market St., most recently Pizzicato restaurant, sold for $2.2 million on Tuesday, March 1.