DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Daniel Elsaesser’s event center has seen thousands of weddings, anniversaries and funeral lunches over the last 75 years, but now, the future of the West Side staple is uncertain.
The Farm, located on Anderson Ferry Road, is up for auction this month because Elsaesser owes the IRS $126,000 in payroll taxes.
Elsaesser said he’s been honest with the IRS from the beginning.
“I didn’t try to cheat the government,” Elsaesser said. “I was honest with them that we owed them, and a lot of what I owe is penalty and interest.”
Elsaesser said the business is “deeply entrenched” in people’s hearts, and he’ll do whatever he can to try to stay open.
“I just ask everyone to pray for us,” Elsaesser said. “Because I don’t want to go out of business, I want to stay in business.”
Anne Hawkins, a longtime patron, said her family has held a lot of events at The Farm.
“My bother’s wedding reception was there in 2004. We do a lot of our family birthday parties there," Hawkins said.
Hawkins said she is shocked at the news and concerned for the Elsaesser family.
Elsaesser said he will have the property for six months after the auction, and he will have the option to get a loan to buy the property back.
For now, The Farm will be in business for at least six months.
We tried to reach out to the IRS for comment but did not hear back.
