Friday Harbor Ace Hardware gets a reprieve

Foreclosure proceedings on Friday Harbor Ace Hardware were postponed this morning until 10 a.m. Oct. 3. The legal proceedings surround the default foreclosure of the real property currently occupied by Friday Harbor Ace Hardware at the corner of Argyle and Web streets in Friday Harbor. The business was not on the auction block, but the property it sits on was scheduled to be and may be again in October.

Foreclosure proceedings on the Friday Harbor Ace Hardware property were postponed Friday until 10 a.m. Oct. 3.

The legal proceedings surround the default foreclosure of the real property occupied by Friday Harbor Ace Hardware, at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street. The business was not on the auction block, but the property it sits on was scheduled to be and may be again in October.

The property’s owner, J. Philip Miller of Camano Island defaulted on a $669,751 loan and also owes nearly $70,000 in interest and $20,000 in back taxes on the property, according to May 2008 court documents.

“We were informed by the debtor’s Seattle counsel of the notice of filing,” Bill Weissinger said on the courthouse steps; he is attorney for the lender and is also the trustee. “My understanding is that there is indeed a filing of bankruptcy protection on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Miller.

“We would not have continued the sale – and I’m acting on the instructions of my client – had we not understood that he’s filed for protection of the bankruptcy courts.”

Miller’s interests are being represented locally by the law firm of Skinner and Saar.