The Anchor in Wichita has been seized by state officials for nonpayment of taxes
UPDATE, May 2: The Kansas Department of Revenue on Friday shared more information about the seizure on Wednesday of The Anchor. According to a release, the department executed warrants for nonpayment of sales, withholding and liquor drink tax totaling $32,549.07
Assets seized included bank accounts, on-site cash, business inventory and personal property belonging to the owner, Schane Gross. The release said that seized assets would be sold at a public auction and that the proceeds would pay for the delinquent taxes.
“KDOR’s policy and practice is to work with taxpayers in delinquent status to voluntarily enter into repayment agreements. It is only after these efforts and multiple failed collection attempts that the Department is forced to execute a tax warrant, utilizing such actions as bank levies, till taps, and ultimately asset seizure to ensure compliance with the law,” the release said.
It also said that any customers or employees who may have items at the business could call the agent assigned to the case at 785-213-4453.
The Anchor, the bar and restaurant at 1109 E. Douglas that owner Schane Gross first opened in 2004, has been seized by state tax officials.
On Wednesday morning, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies were seen at the building, and just before noon red signs with the word “seized” were posted in the front windows of The Anchor and its sister business, the Anchor Meat Market.
The signs read: “Warning: This property has been seized for nonpayment of taxes and is now in the possession of the State of Kansas. Any person who attempts to tamper with this property will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Both businesses have been closed for several weeks. A white sign has been hanging on the door of the Anchor since early April that said the business was closed and would reopen soon with new management. Gross has declined to speak on the record about the restaurant’s status for several weeks.
Zach Denney, who is director of communications with the Kansas Department of Revenue, confirmed via email that the seizure happened on Wednesday but said that the department couldn’t share any more details. Closing a business is a last resort, so taxpayers are given 48 hours to work on resolving the issues before specific information is shared with the public, he said.
Sedgwick County District Court records show the state has filed seven tax warrants against the Anchor since June 10 for unpaid sales, withholding and liquor excise taxes in 2024 and early 2025. Six of the warrants were filed this year. Court records show outstanding taxes paid in only two of the cases.
In the spring of 2023, Gross expanded her business portfolio in Wichita by opening Rail Hoppers in a new building at 3622 Oliver, in the District 96 development. But she closed it a year ago, saying she wanted to focus more on the Anchor. Natasha Gandhi-Rue took over the space for her restaurant The Kitchen.
In February of 2023, she closed the Anchor so that she could perform a long-promised remodel. It reopened early last year.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM.
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