Vernal City issued a letter to residents and taxpayers in response to questions and concerns from the public after learning a popular local restaurant had its business license revoked. The letter, dated July 17th, states that the revocation of the business license for Moonshine Steakhouse LLC, operating as The Valley Steakhouse, became necessary after the business failed to remit over $200,000 in sales taxes collected from customers. The business was given opportunities for over a year to correct violations and to enter into payment arrangements with the Utah State Tax Commission which was not done. The business had also forfeited their State-issued liquor license, shares the letter, yet alcohol sales continued. In a rare enforcement action, the Vernal City Council voted to revoke the business license on July 16th, following a public hearing. Vernal City’s letter states that they share in the disappointment of seeing the Valley Steakhouse close its doors: “The long path that led to this closure was not chosen by the public, the City, or The Valley Steakhouse employees, but by a series of decisions made by the business’s management. The City Council is especially mindful of the impact this outcome has on employees, many of whom now face sudden job loss through no fault of their own.”
