Former restaurateur makes court appearance on bad check, sales tax charges

A Cape Girardeau County man charged with writing a bad check and failure to pay sales taxes from receipts at his now-defunct diner was told to come back to court in July at a hearing today.

Robert Steers appeared before Judge Benjamin Lewis to schedule a date for another appearance in court. Steers is scheduled to appear for a hearing on July 12, which could include setting a date for a jury trial, according to assistant prosecuting attorney Angel Woodruff.

Steers faces charges of allegedly writing a bad check of $1,100.90 to Bollinger Farms and failure to pay sales taxes collected in 2008 at Jackson Diner, 3125 E. Jackson Blvd. The restaurant opened in November 2007 before closing in October 2008. The building reopened as a Huddle House under new management in March 2009.

Steers and his wife, Krissty, owned or were partners in two other restaurants. They opened Fruitland Diner, 5841 U.S. 61, and Bobby's Kitchen, 1015 N. Kingshighway, in April 2008 and Feburary 2009 respectively.

But the Steers lost control of both restaurants in April 2009. Bobby's Kitchen changed its name to Granny's Kitchen while Fruitland Diner kept the same name. Both restaurants closed earlier this year.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent addresses:

3125 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO

5841 U.S. 61, Jackson, MO

1015 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO