Residents living near Lake Milton are anxiously awaiting the opening of a new restaurant on the lake's shore in Milton Township.

According to zoning records, the first phase of the Lake Milton Tavern was approved on May 24, 2023, where ground was broke just a month later.

While the foundation has been put in, nothing else has.  Recently construction equipment was pulled from the site and a Mechanics' lien was posted at the property.

These liens are similar to a mortgage that's put on the property by contractors or material suppliers to cover themselves in the event they don't get paid  This particular lien was placed by the Parillo Builders, who was contracted to do this job.

A property can have multiple liens depending on the parties involved, which can complicate matters for parties with a vested interest.

"If the owner pays me and the price includes the bricks and if I don't pay the material man. He's going to put out a lien and the owner ends up paying twice because he's paying me and I haven't paid the material man I'm supposed to pay.", said Lawrence Richards, an attorney in Canfield.

If a property owner finances the property or a takes a loan out through a bank, that institution will place a lean, and is ultimately the first in line to get repaid.

Property owner Chrissy Long, also owned Chrissy's Lake Tavern near Mosquito Lake, which burned down in 2022.

It's unknown what led to the halt in construction.  21 News made multiple attempts to contact Chrissy Long but she could not be reached.  The contractor and architect declined to comment on the matter.