Possible Tax Sale Announced for Heartland Market Building

The former Ray's Super Foods in downtown North Judson is now Heartland Markets.
The former Ray’s Super Foods in downtown North Judson is now Heartland Markets.

The building occupied by Heartland Market in North Judson appears to be headed for tax sale.

According to legal notices provided by the Starke County Treasurer and Auditor’s office the properties, located in the 300 block of Lane Street, comprise both the physical grocery store and the parking lot. The site was formerly occupied by Ray’s Superfoods, owned by Ray and Dena Wajda.

Ray’s Superfoods announced in March of 2015 they would be closing. At the time, it was unknown what the future would hold for the store location.

Heartland Market – which had recently opened a location in Francesville – stepped in with the help of a $50,000 revolving loan from the Town of North Judson facilitated by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Loan funds were used for updating the interior of the building, but also to prevent a food desert considering the possible store closing in the community in southern Starke County.

Ray Wajda was invited to manage the grocery store while under new ownership. The building itself continues to be owned by the Wajda family, however.   

According to the legal notice, the building and the parking lot carry delinquent taxes in the amount of $7,170 and $1,162, respectively. Provided those back property taxes are not paid, the store location could go to tax sale auction on September 29th. The highest bidder would receive the title to the land under state statute, and provided the requirements of the bid are met.  

The Treasurer and Auditor’s office indicate the owners of the property have until September 12th when the court petition will be filed to judge against the tracts and sell the property.