One more chance for a treat from Michelle's

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 26, 2007 | by DAN SERRA THE GAZETTE

If you missed your chance for a treat from Michelle Chocolatiers & Ice Cream or admired the memorabilia, you have one more chance to buy a piece of nostalgia.

The candy, decor and equipment -- from milk chocolate Santas to the 10-foot soda fountain -- in the downtown Colorado Springs fixture will be auctioned June 19-21, the Internal Revenue Service said Friday.

The family-owned candy store and restaurant was seized May 7 by the IRS because of failure to pay taxes, most of which was federal income taxes withheld from employee paychecks that the company didn't send on to the IRS.

Beginning at 10 a.m. June 19, chocolates, marzipans, candy and memorabilia will go on the block in the store at 122 N. Tejon St. Minimum bid prices will be placed on candy, which will start at 5- pound boxes and run up to trays of more than 100 pieces, said Ernie Sell, liquidation specialist with the IRS.

Buyer registration opens at 9 a.m. Only cash, certified checks or money orders will be accepted, and buyers must take their loot by the end of the day.

On June 20, larger restaurant equipment and appliances will be sold from storage units at Circle Drive Self Storage, 2515 Arlington Drive. Inspection is available starting at 9 a.m. with the auction to follow at 10 a.m.

The last of the store's contents, including candy-making machines, glasses, dishes and shelving will go to the highest bidders June 21 at the Tejon location beginning at 10 a.m.

Much of the candy-making equipment has been producing chocolates, ribbon candy and other sweets for more than 50 years.

John and Lois Michopoulos opened the first Michelle's in 1952. The business moved to its current location in 1954, operated by son Andy and expanded from a candy store to an ice cream shop and restaurant. The recipes for the toffee, candy and chocolates made in the store's downstairs factory came from Andy Michopoulos' grandfather, who owned a candy store in Iowa.

BID DELICIOUSLY

A sampling of auction items. The complete list will be posted on www.irsauctions.gov by the end of next week.

Menus, aprons and shirts

Electric menu board

"Please Take a Number" machine

Candy, including trays of chocolates and fruit slices; chocolate Thanksgiving turkeys; Santas and Halloween balls

Ice cream machines

Metal and glass banana split dishes, stainless steel soda glass holders, milkshake glasses, sundae dishes

Soda fountain

Confectioner and candy machines

Ice cream table and chairs