New owners for gas station: Siegen Gas, a company made up of local convenience store owners Medhat and Nadia Elbar, bought the Circle K on Siegen Lane for $2.3 million. The 4,500-square-foot store at Industriplex Boulevard was marketed as an investment opportunity.
Move would have everyone paying property taxes: If a bill being drafted by State Rep. Kevin Pearson gets through, all Louisiana homeowners will be paying taxes — not just those with pricier real estate. The Slidell Republican’s plan calls for taxing all homeowners on the first $10,000 of their home’s assessed value, and exempting the next $75,000. Pearson says Louisiana relies on a small percentage of taxpayers to fund services like police protection and education, since 50% of the state’s property owners are completely exempt from property taxes. He blames the homestead exemption for leaving local governments strapped for cash.
Mid City business growing: Circa 1857, the Mid City art and antique store, has purchased some property nearby for a future expansion. The store paid $46,000 for a lot and part of two lots a block away from the store, says Sally Conklin, owner/manager. The business had been using the land as parking for special events, such as White Light Night. One part of Circa that will be expanding soon is Yvette Marie’s Café, which will serve breakfast and dinner beginning in June.
