Hamlin Grocery closed, taxes owed.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — Hamlin Grocery is closed permanently, according to the store’s Facebook page.

“Hamlin Grocery is officially closed. I want to personally thank the community for their support this past week. A special thank you to all the volunteers that came out on Saturday to help with anything we needed. Without your encouragement it would have been difficult for us (me and our employees) to end on such a positive note. God Bless.” The note was signed by Shelia Genter, the store’s manager.

Over the weekend several items were placed on sale, including wine and apparel.

The store was not open last Monday when owner Vaughn Flewelling did not show up for work and left the area without informing his employees or family. Genter opened the store again on Tuesday through the rest of the week.

Documents on file at the Mason County Register of Deeds Office show that Hamlin Grocery had a tax lien from the state totaling over $60,000 for unpaid sales tax and withholding tax from 2015. The periods of unpaid taxes were January through April of 2015. The property taxes from the store had also not been paid since 2014.

According to law enforcement, Flewelling left the state via Greyhound bus last Monday.