Some dry cleaning customers have been hung out to dry after state officials shut down four dry-cleaning businesses in Fort Worth and Euless.
State records show a lien was filed against the owner of the shops, Taufiq Ahmed, who owes the state approximately $239,000 in sales tax. The delinquent time period listed on the lien is April 2005 to Dec., 2008.
Several customers showed up to the locations on Wednesday, only to find a sign in the door saying the shops had been seized by the state and were closed.
"I had no idea," Kim Norris said. "I just brought my clothing in yesterday, so this must have just happened within the last 24 hours."
"I've just made two trips up here, and I still haven't gotten my clothes," Gary Carpenter said. "But no, it's not a problem. I can come back tomorrow. But ... I'm shocked."
Signs advising customers on the times and dates during which they can come pick up their clothes are posted in the store windows.
Customers must bring exact cash, a check or a money order.
Here are the locations for the four stores:
- Comet Cleaners at 3204 Camp Bowie Boulevard Suite C (Fort Worth)
- Comet Cleaners at 8808 Camp Bowie W. Suite 160 (Fort Worth)
- Comet Cleaners at 2977 South Precinct Line Road Suite 221 (Fort Worth)
- Martinizing Dry Cleaners at 109 W. Harwood Road (Euless)
