No-Show at Public House Auction | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Fresno, CA At a Northwest Fresno firm, an auctioneer offered the Public House to the highest bidder. But no one showed up to place a bid. So the property went to investors Thomas and Melissa Tarlton who loaned money to the owners of the Public House. Jordan Freeman represents the Tarltons. He said, "The lender plans to get control of the property which will entail...making sure what we are going to do with the tenant whether we are going to keep the tenant or evict the tenant

Some employees walked off the job after the auction. One former employee talked with us but did not want to give his name. He said, "It is going under. It is over ... because it is unprofessional. I can't work like this. I can't be hoping that I get paid. I gotta get paid when I need to get paid."

Milt Barbis is the developer of Granite Park. He is currently under investigation for insurance fraud and other alleged crimes. But all these problems are not stopping Kirk Vartainian who is investing in the old Cabo Wabo. Now he wants to own the Public House. Vartainian said, "The vision is to bring public house back. I hate for public house to close. It is such a good restaurant.

Vartainian said he is in talks right now to buy the public house. The restaurant is still open. But we did talk with a local teacher who planned to have a party. She said she moved the party because of the uncertainty surrounding the Public House.

Public House Sold at Auction