LJWorld.com

458casul (Anonymous) says…

he couldnt pay his bills for years.not a shock

The_Voice_of_Reason (Anonymous) says…

Yep… Death and Taxes

moveforward (Anonymous) says…

To bad. At its peak. Papa Kenos was the best pizza in the midwest by a long shot.

b3 (Anonymous) says…

That place had the worse pizza in town, no joke.

gwjayhawk (Anonymous) says…

““We’re dealing with it,” Keenan said, a few hors after agents posted a “SEIZED” sign on the front door at 1035 Mass.”

Might want to change that typo—hors into hours.

satchel (Anonymous) says…

Does anyone know how hard it is to run a business when you are taxed out the ying yang? Withholding, quarterly, state, federal, sales taxes. It is ridiculous how much money you lose trying to run a business. For all we know he put paying his employees above paying his taxes which is the humane thing to do. But he could have just been irresponsible with his money also. Who knows.

I feel sorry for this guy if he was just trying to do the right thing. Regardless, no one thinks about how small business' get Scr***d when taxes go up. The libs try to brainwash people into thinking it is just affecting the rich. when in reality it hits small business'. When they report their income at tax time it will put them in the 'rich' tax bracket when in reality they aren't, so they are taxed at a higher level.

I am sorry but taxes stink. We had a business go under for the very same reason. We were able to pay back our taxes but at a HUGE expense to us.. Try having to work three jobs to do it and even then it isn't enough. When things were getting rough we chose to pay our employees who were great workers.

rattler (Anonymous) says…

Worst pizza in town? No way, Gumbi's holds that distinction.

Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

Willie Nelson came back from Tax-Hell…
Hope Papa can too.

A slice as big as your face was the best around.

otto (Anonymous) says…

quisp –

The employees are screwed - who is going to pay them?
I hope they are job hunting and not waiting to see what happens. This place is done.

ronwell_dobbs (Anonymous) says…

satchel,

Just to be completely accurate, withholding tax and sales tax are collected by the business owner on behalf of the state. It isn't money that is “lost”. Perhaps the employees and the consumers can complain about high tax rates, but the businessman can't complain about these two types.

As a business owner, Douglas County property taxes on inventory and equipment are what chaps my hide.

ronwell

acg (Anonymous) says…

Are you forgetting the employer's portion of withholding taxes, ron? That's roughly, what, 7.65% of every dollar paid to an employee that's paid into FICA and MCare, above and beyond the wages. Unemployment taxes, state and fed, are also employer contributions and are not withheld from employee wages. Depending upon what a person's unemployment rating is, that can be a steep bill, as well. True, it's only paid on the first $8000 an employee earns, but take it from a person who does tons of payroll, it adds up, quickly.

Burton (Anonymous) says…

So the KC locations are still open then? I wonder if the Missouri Department of Revenue reads LJ World?

BigAl (Anonymous) says…

acg… and one of my biggest employee expenses is to Health Care Premiums. That is, and has been, the fastest and largest growing payroll expense I have.

I like how satchel just blames the “libs”… it goes much deeper than that.

nverlost (Anonymous) says…

satchel- you are delusional. He took taxes out of his employee’s checks each pay period but failed to give those deductions to the state. Feel sorry for him…no way.

At his O.P. location he fails to pay the historic downtown's dues, as the other tenants contribute, so hopefully he's out of the picture soon so he's no longer a drain on KS taxpayers and a burden to his business neighbors.

aquakej (Anonymous) says…

This sucks; it was my favorite pizza!! It always seems busy in there; how could business have been so bad that he couldn't afford his bills??

unklemonkey (Anonymous) says…

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Take_a_letter_Maria (Anonymous) says…

Al I doubt Papa K was providing health care insurance for any of his employees. I'd be surprised if any of the service establishments in town provide this for anyone beside their management staff if that.

Finally, as the story stated he failed to pay withholding tax and sales tax. One of those he already collected from his employees, the other from his customer. No sympathy from me, even though I will miss the pizza.

BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

Shouldn't have voted for Sebelius.

sissezz (Anonymous) says…

love the pizza…………….but the service ws beginning to suck. Too bad.

artwhore (Anonymous) says…

the KC location in westport closed a few months back.

overplayedhistory (Anonymous) says…

Satchel
Ah yes, Libs, the mythical creatures that live in the hills. Sooo when businesses fail due to high fuel cost I suppose we can attribute it to these fantastical creatures and their mind control abilities. A real by the numbers conservative would never let a business taxes get so far back that they would need three jobs(up hill both ways) to pay them. Real conservatives don't seem to exist anymore.

Sounds like you were one of those liberal dreamer business owners that never had a real viable business plan.

I can tell you for sure that Greg's problems have nothing to do with libs brainwashing people or the tax code.

Conservative pundit is the job for you.

geniusmannumber1 (Anonymous) says…

And no one. Is. Surprised.

vavs0929 (Anonymous) says…

No, the KC store is closed as well… it says that in the first paragraph.

The pizza was decent…. it just took them like 30 minutes to make 2 slices for us one day… and it was completely dead when we were there. How hard is it to pay your damn taxes?!

smerdyakov (Anonymous) says…

Anyone who knew an employee from Keno's could have seen this coming a mile away. Read some of the comments here http://www.lawrence.com/blogs/search_my_… from the employees. His own words in this story also indicate his maturity level — he's blaming one of his employees for his financial problems. Laughable — and pathetic.

OldEnuf2BYurDad (Anonymous) says…

I now know how to tell if a restaurant is going to close: I like eating there. Those are the ones that always go under.

monkfellow (Anonymous) says…

..as to the location in Westport,that location seems to be snakebit.Keno's was at least the THIRD shop at that site in recent years to either not open at all or drop out after a few months.
You could attribute it to the number of resturants in Westport or who knows what else, but the major unaddressed problem around there is the distinct lack of parking.

auturgy (Anonymous) says…

This is a tragedy for me, who's favorite restaurant in town was Papa Kenos.
Curses.

Marcus (Anonymous) says…

At $4 a slice, I am surprised the place even stayed in business this long, Now if we could just get Pyramid Pizza back to it's original glory. I can only eat it when I'm wasted.

tony88 (Anonymous) says…

why was greasytony's post removed? the truth?

ihatejohntravolta (Anonymous) says…

I don't understand why my comment was deleted so I am going to repeat it. This man owes money to his previous employees, money owed before his business was seized. He needs to pay these people. He took advantage of college kids who really need a job and are now out hundreds of dollars. This is not new information, or incorrect information, and if you don't believe me you can check the Kansas City Fox station's story on it in February. The Kansas Department of Labor should really be looking into this.

geniusmannumber1 (Anonymous) says…

OldEnuf2BYurDad —

Ain't that the truth?

ronwell_dobbs (Anonymous) says…

acg,

You're right. I shouldn't have been quite so specific. Indeed there are two components of the withholding tax: the employee's portion and the company's portion. I suspect that the owner was withholding the employee's portion as well as not paying his portion. Thanks for pointing out my lack of specificity.

Ronwell

somedude20 (Anonymous) says…

I never liked waiting 15-20 minutes for them to reheat the pizza only to wait 5-10 minutes for it to cool down. I can reheat stuff as well! Maybe I should open up a pizza joint and call it PaPa Taxes. Service stunk as did his accounting I guess

tkofford (Anonymous) says…

Take_a_letter_Maria

I'm pretty sure that the Free State Brewing Company provides health care for many (if not all) of their employees.

TK

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

indeed this was the best pizza in lawrence. maybe shakespeare's from columbia will take his place. oops, i'm sorry, did i say something good about missouri?!?!?!?

BrianR (Anonymous) says…

Johnny's Tavern has the best pizza in Lawrence.

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

Bossa_Nova
Do you know if the Shakespeare's in Columbia has any connection to the Shakespeare's that use to be here in Lawrence back in the early 70s? It was located in the building where Jayhawk Bookstore is now…

that was some of the best pizza I ever ate…

Take_a_letter_Maria (Anonymous) says…

TK - Good for them and even more reason for me to patronize the brewery. That is something that is quite rare.

TLM

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

Bossa_Nova
and I agree… Keno's was the best pizza in town…
though I am fond of Wheat State…

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

stuck,

no clue man. i wish i had an answer, but i was still in diapers back in the 70's. shake's in columbia is definitely some of the finest i've ever had. maybe we should contact shakespeare's and demand that they bail keno out and open up shop on mass.

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

Bossa_Nova
well… I suppose I dated myself…
but yeah… if Shakespeare's in Columbia is as good as the Shakespeare's was here in Lawrence we should definitely get them to move in…

by the way… thought I'm an avid Jayhawk fan I actully think Columbia is a great town… and… for the most part has better restaurants than Lawrence…

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

stuck,

i've lived in both cities. and yes columbia is great just like lawrence. i know a lot of people dont want to admit it, but lawrence and columbia are so much alike. take away the jayhawk vs. tigers crap and you've got sister cities on the same mission.

NotaKenoFan (Anonymous) says…

Two of my sons worked for Mr. Keenan. One never received his last paycheck and the other had his last check bounce.

Too bad only the tax man will recover any money. My only satisfaction will be seeing Keenan go broke.

TriSigmaKS (Anonymous) says…

It's ABOUT time! Back in college it was an amazing place, but ever since I moved back here (after being gone 10 years) the quality was CRAP, on numerous occasions their ice machine was out, gone or 'repossessed' as one employee told me, glad they got what they deserved.

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

hey guys, regardless of the quality, bounced checks, personal behaviour of keenan, etc. his tuscan pizza was da shiznitz! anybody got the recipe?

WALSTIB (Anonymous) says…

greasytony nailed it, as did others

as a former employee I have but one word for Keenan:
KARMA

nverlost (Anonymous) says…

Yea, good point…anyone know the process into making their dough? And sauce?

lexi (Anonymous) says…

Harderfaster “I worked for Keno's for 10 years and have had my paychecks bounce too many times to count. This guy is a cheat,”

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

And to think, it only took you 10 years to figure it out.

…. 10 years is a long time to put up with something like that. Should've found a different job.

Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

“The moves came after the department filed tax warrants seeking repayment for unpaid sales taxes and payroll-withholding taxes, plus interest and penalties.”

How many businesses in Downtown Lawrence have failed to pay not only sales taxes but they never paid the taxes they “withheld” from their employees paycheck? That money is the employees, not the KDOR's, at least not until April 15th and I can name at least five others, all locally owned.

So, if you work downtown and your employer is “withholding taxes” and supposedly “sending them in for you,” you might want to make sure they really are being paid and your accounts are current.

whatatown (Anonymous) says…

Marcus (Anonymous) says…

“At $4 a slice, I am surprised the place even stayed in business this long”

How long has it been since you've actually ate there? a one topping slice is now $6.50. I ate there this last Friday and had some of the worst quality pizza ever. Felt like I was back eating cafeteria food, which is sad because I used to L O V E it. Oh well, won't have to worry about it anymore!

jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

Don't pay your taxes you are screwed. Govt misuse those tax dollars, no problem!

nugget (Anonymous) says…

Their pizza really went downhill the past few years. We stopped going there. Too inconsistent. They were all too happy to serve you a slice with a burnt crust. Bye-bye Papa's. What was once a terrific slice, the best around, will be no more.

vavs0929 (Anonymous) says…

harderfaster: Why would you stay at a place for 10 years if your paychecks bounced frequently? Shouldnt that be a warning bell?

Jaylee (Anonymous) says…

i agree that i loved the pizza at a time, then my visits became more nostalgic. i used to work there as well and can attest to any and all things everyone else who worked there is saying… i guess i dont know what to think yet but i DO know this—

i make the best pizza in town!!!!!!!!! hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

jackpot (Anonymous) says…

Reminds me of L.P.C. I had a pizza on order they called me and said KDOR was shutting them done. They never reopened.

Gareth (Anonymous) says…

As a born-and-bred New Yorker, I thought PKs was the best pizza in town — made by someone who understood that pizza crust is thin and *chewy*, not the thin-and-crispy that Midwesterners seem to think is “NY Style.”

Sadly, though — over the past 5 years, the quality dropped so sharply that I really only kept getting pizza there out of a combined sense of nostalgia and hope that it would get better.

There was an inverse relationship between the quality of that night's pizza and how high the staff was on that particular night. (Kinda like Yello Sub, in that respect)

Hearing about Keenan's tax (and other) problems, it's pretty obvious that the run is over. 18 years isn't bad. I'll miss it — but really, I'll miss what it was….not what it became in recent years.

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

what caused all of this is when the KDOR agents got the munchies and unassumingly went in there last week late after hours hustlin Keenan for some “free pizza or else”. when Keenan refused to play their dangerous game they shut him down. so let that be a message to all of you restaurant owners, “unless you want to end up like Keenan, give those KDOR agents all the free food they ask for even if it's after hours”. i know, i know, that sounded retarded, but i just had to post it.

more_cowbell (Anonymous) says…

As far as pizza goes in this town, it's usually delivery anyway, and there are tons of chains already here.

For local, I preferred Rudy's. But then again, I'm a Free State/Java Break/Liberty Hall aging liberal hippie dou**e. ;-)

In any case, not paying taxes will get you in trouble, whether you're a business or an individual. In this case, it's a business—and a restaurant, to boot. And there was already a payment plan arrangment, but that seemed to be going in reverse. No surprise then that the state chose to cut its losses, tax-wise. Or perhaps some of the people whining about paying taxes don't realize that they may be high *because* some businesses (and individuals) default (or cheat) on theirs?

The restaurant business is notoriously difficult, as the overall turnover on Mass. *AND* elsewhere demonstrates. Keenan gave it a go, and did well—for a while. But longevity won't keep you in business if you don't also maintain quality—and if you also don't keep your taxes current.

R.I.P. Papa Keno's. And Mass St. Deli. Et cetera.

kmat (Anonymous) says…

No offense, but the pizza there has always sucked. There is only one good pizza place in town and that is RUDY'S!!!!!! Fresh, local ingredients. Sauce made daily. Nothings ever frozen. Great service, locally owned and operated. I have never, ever had a bad slice from there and I've been a patron since the old days when they were back behind the Crossing. For those who haven't tried it. please do.

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

kmat
no offense taken… but I suppose it's a matter of taste…
I like Rudy's pizza but it doesn't really stand out as being much different than other pizza…
for my taste, Papa Keno's was better… and much more unique…

notnowdear (Anonymous) says…

Glass Nickel in Madison, Wi beats keno's all to hey.

BrianR (Anonymous) says…

Gareth,
The guy who has the ovens at Johnny's is a New Yorker, I love their pies. Now if there could only be a NY bagel…

West_Sider (Anonymous) says…

We quit going there several years back after I watched an employee engage in a drug deal with a person that came into the restaraunt late on a Saturday night. God only knows what they were putting in the pizza or if they were following sanitary practices.

Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

When “Pizza Shoppe” closed on Wakarusa I tried Papa Keno's again. The slice came out burned black nearly 1/2 inch around all the edges. I asked if they were going to redo it and was told “some people like it that way.” When I asked them what people those were and got a blank stare, they redid it. Decided I would get my specialty pizza fix in KC from then on.

Rudy's pizza is average on its very best day although their other offerings are not too bad. I guess the homeless and the hippies like it enough to eat it out of their dumpster every night.

Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

“Keenan gave it a go, and did well—for a while. But longevity won't keep you in business if you don't also maintain quality—and if you also don't keep your taxes current.”

My understanding was that PK's was profitable just not profitable enough to support Keenan's lifestyle and that pizza wasn't the only thing available for sale there.

geniusmannumber1 (Anonymous) says…

Got news for you West_Sider—ain't no pizza place in this town (maybe not in the country) where you're not going to see that.

Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

more_cowbell (Anonymous) says… “The restaurant business is notoriously difficult, as the overall turnover on Mass. *AND* elsewhere demonstrates.”

True enough. Did you ever notice when you eat at a buffet (Indian, Chinese, whatever) and pay by credit card or by check the cashier rings a sale into the register, but when you pay with cash they ring “No Sale?” It is almost universally true and happens almost invariably. Ever wonder why? I bet the kdor, irs, and any accountant can tell you.

steelyann (Anonymous) says…

I remember Papa Kenos when it was at the Pig's location. I was 13 and it was magical pizza! I loved the way the oven took up half of the restaurant. Then it moved and I grew up. I stopped eating at Papa Kenos for ethical reasons when I was a teenager. It was no secret that many people in Lawrence found the owner to be disgusting. As someone who left Lawrence over 10 years ago, it is interesting to read the owners reputation has not improved.

quisp (Anonymous) says…

Looks to me like all of Keenan's money went to pay off the mods on this board— why else would my comments keep getting deleted? I'm not saying anything malicious or untrue. He didn't pay his employees. When he did, the checks were made of rubber. He gets thrown out of bars for accosting women. And he has a lot of… ahem… extracurricular activities that contribute to his money problems. All these things have been validated. Can you please explain to me how I have violated the sacred Terms Of Use Agreement?

karmaxs3 (Anonymous) says…

I knew Keenan in college. He was yucky then, but made good pizza. Sounds like he's yucky now, and makes yucky pizza. We used to call him “Papa Ego” b/c he seemed to think everyone wanted him. yeah, right. Not too cute, either in MHO. I think people just wanted to be around him to score a deal. Sounds like that hasn't changed either.

ianjohnsa (Anonymous) says…

I worked at Papa Keno's for about a month. After I quit, I repeatedly tried to get hold of Greg in order to get payment for my time and he would never return my phone calls or respond to any messages I left with other employees. I finally had to file a wage claim form with the state of Kansas and am still waiting on the results of that investigation. I have to say when I saw this article, I wasn't surprised. I know the guy has money problems, but not paying his employees (or his taxes it seems) in order to fund his lifestyle and other activities is bullsh*t. This is something that was bound to happen. I hope for his sake that investigators don't find anything else that could incriminate him in more serious offenses…

Calliope877 (Anonymous) says…

b3 (Anonymous) says…
That place had the worse pizza in town, no joke.
rattler (Anonymous) says…
Worst pizza in town? No way, Gumbi's holds that distinction

Sorry, you guys are both wrong: Pizza Shuttle holds the title of worst pizza in town…unless, of course, you're really drunk and hungry…but even then, you might as well put some cheese and tomato sauce on a piece of cardboard cuz that's what Pizza Shuttle pizza tastes like.

Eride (Anonymous) says…

“Did you ever notice when you eat at a buffet (Indian, Chinese, whatever) and pay by credit card or by check the cashier rings a sale into the register, but when you pay with cash they ring “No Sale?””

On that topic. It is amazing what kind of discount you can get on more expensive purchases when you offer to pay in cash.

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

Callio, i agree. pizza shuttle should prolly be called pizza sh!ttle, but it did save me on countless occasions crawling around lawrence in a drunken stupor after 2am. i truly thank pizza sh!ttle for being there for me when i was in desperate need for cheap, nasty, drunkman's pizza

Marcus (Anonymous) says…

Johnny's Tavern has awesome NY style pizza and The Wagon Wheel is still putting out old school Pyramid Pizza. Don't get me started on the late-night, super cheap pizza places. Those guys are not even using “real” cheese. Students are just too drunk to notice.

Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Not a good day to be Papa Keno.
_____________
Marion says;
His son is a well known local resident and activist.
–––––—
My eyes are really bad tonight, and this first looked like you typed architect. And you know I was thinking just what has he stirred up now!
lol

Calliope877 (Anonymous) says…

Bossa_Nova , LOL!
I think they should rename Pizza Shuttle as “Drunk Man's Pizza,” although Pizza Sh!ttle is pretty good too…doubt they'd get much advertising for the name though.

sairad (Anonymous) says…

I can't say I am surprised. I worked there for two years in the late 90's. I left shortly after the second time in the same month that tax agents came and took all the money and shut us down for the day. Between that, and the paychecks that bouced half of the time, I took it as a sign that maybe I should move on.

I was told by the “management” at the time (in 1998) that they owed back taxes because they skipped paying them in Lawrence and Overland Park one year to finance the opening of a new store in the River Market, KCMO. I don't know that as a fact, it is just what I was told as an employee when they seized funds.

My annual Social Security earnings report still shows an entire year of no earnings whatsoever: one of the years I was employeed at PK. I just assumed things had gotten better because business seemed so good.

Papa Keno's was a fun place, and I love the food, but I'm not at all surprised this has happened from the experiences I've personally had and numerous the stories I've heard while working for Greg. But its still sad. I'm not a big Greg Keenan fan, but I hope he gets this worked out.

Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Gareth (Anonymous) says…

As a born-and-bred New Yorker, I thought PKs was the best pizza in town — made by someone who understood that pizza crust is thin and *chewy*, not the thin-and-crispy that Midwesterners seem to think is “NY Style.”
––––—
You got it..as in, people are a different about their pizza, as they are about BBQ.
___________________

One thing about Pizza…they are often tied to memories, as some posters have mentioned, drunk times, etc.

I have different memories. Slumber parties where the mom's burned the frozen pizza black.
If we ate pizza at home, we might have a slice or two.
Then going to PH with a friends family, and they ordered a whole small (6 slice) pizza for each kid..and me. Astounding!
Theatre parties at one place, after the football game another, shopping downtown and going to Campus Hideaway. I really have no idea if I liked their pizza, but the good times are burned in my head.

Back then, PH was then crust only, so many of us think that is what pizza “is”..has nothing to do with NY.
Then they added thick, etc.

I have a lot of Shuttle memories from the mid 80's. 3 of us got together every fri and sat night, and we would order the 3fer..3 pizza and 3 drinks. I learned about creamcheese and pineapple pizza…good times.

I hate chewy pizza. A neighbor was a big fan of theirs, and we were invited to dinner. He ordered a huge pizza, that like someone said, was burned around the edges, and had this leather crust. It was nasty, and he was delighted over it.
To each his own.

KRITIKOS (Anonymous) says…

concrete will crack.energy is always lost.we will die and the taxes for our death will be paid by family members.