Taco Habitat served eviction notice

Southeast Springfield restaurant Taco Habitat has been hit with an eviction notice.

A Greene County Circuit Court order has been posted to the front door of the 3325 S. Glenstone Ave. establishment owned by embattled restaurateur Michael Felts. The order includes a handwritten portion indicating Taco Habitat and Felts must vacate the premises by 8 a.m. this morning.

Glenstone Marketplace LLC, which owns the land and the shopping center of the same name behind it, is the plaintiff listed in the case.

The court order allows Glenstone Marketplace to take possession of the property due to nonpayment of rent to the tune of $57,000. Some $6,290 in costs also are included in the order.

Signage on the door – observed this weekend by Springfield Business Journal – labeled from the "taco crew" states the "store is closed until further notice.” An envelope from City Utilities of Springfield marked confidential also has been taped to the door.

Taco Habitat opened in November 2020, according to past reporting. It's located on a freestanding parcel of Glenstone Marketplace, which was developed by commercial real estate broker Brad Thessing.

Felts' attorney, Abe McGull of The McGull Law Firm LLC, has not returned multiple requests for comment in recent days after social media posts pointed to a closure of Taco Habitat.

McGull is representing Felts in a federal government case alleging a Paycheck Protection Program scheme. Felts has been accused of allegedly using PPP funds meant for his businesses to pay for personal residential improvements and purchases, according to past reporting. In an interview with SBJ in September, Felts claimed to have been a victim of identity theft.

A one-day bench trial related to the case has been set for Jan. 29, 2024, according to an order last month signed by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Harpool.

Felts' Hot Cluckers and Bourbon & Beale restaurants have closed in the wake of the PPP fraud allegations, according to past reporting. His White River Brewing Co. establishment on Commercial Street continues to operate.