Philadelphia chocolate store: Tax issue resolved

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A Philadelphia chocolate maker and candy store says it has resolved a tax issue that threatened to shutter the establishment days before Easter.

Blasius Chocolate Factory says on its Facebook page that the problem had been solved and the store "is open now forever. No more tax issues."

Mark McDonald, spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter, told Philly.com (http://bit.ly/1eHFGxW ) that the shop signed an agreement to pay delinquent taxes and made a down payment on Thursday afternoon.

City officials had moved to close the store in the city's Kensington neighborhood Wednesday over $12,000 in unpaid taxes. Owner Phil Kerwick had disputed the amount.

The firm has been hand-making chocolates since the 1920s. It's noted for buttercreams and giant Easter eggs.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com