Payroll Debts Have Been Paid At Christmas House, Owner Says

It took a while, but the $53,000 in back payroll owed to employees at Rogers Christmas House has been paid to them, the owner said.

George Rodriguez shot down rumors Thursday that suggested the U.S. Department of Labor had ordered him to either pay his employees this week or not allow them to work until they are paid.

"That's not true, no way," he said.

The previous owner, Donna Jones, filed for bankruptcy nine months ago. In May, the owners prior to her bought it back during an auction in the courthouse atrium.

Rodriguez, who has worked at the Christmas House since 1972, resumed his managerial duties after the sale last spring and is in negotiations to purchase the store, he said.

When it was learned he would be taking over, his employees hugged him and cheered.

To make up for the last two years of slowed sales and debt, Rodriguez adopted a more-vigorous marketing campaign for the store.

He began a partnership with a public relations director in Tampa and sent out a media release earlier this week.

Rodriguez announced he would be "kicking off" the holiday shopping season with an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.

The store is located at 103 S. Saxon Ave. in downtown Brooksville.

Rogers' was founded in 1972 by Margaret "Weenie" Rogers Ghiotto. She died in February 2006 and the store was sold to Jones soon thereafter.

"She left us with a bunch of checks she didn't pay," Rodriguez said of the previous owner.

He admitted employees were owed $53,000, but that the last check was paid two weeks ago.

Rodriguez continues to work toward making Rogers' Christmas House a profitable store again and to improve relationships with suppliers who were not paid by Jones, he said.