Wickets Inn and Pub is scheduled to be auctioned on January 13, the latest in a series of financial issues that have plagued the Onset landmark during the past year.

The property was scheduled to be auctioned in March of this year, but the auction was canceled after the property’s owner, L&W Holdings, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Warren Agin, bankruptcy trustee for L&W Holdings’ lender, Salem Five Bank.

Under Chapter 11, a business is given the chance to restructure the terms of its debt, continue operating, and pay the debt.

But Wickets closed abruptly on November 15. Signs posted on the doors of the buildings alerted both employees and potential customers that circumstances “beyond our control” caused David Wolfram and his wife, Mary to cease operations.

Agin said that the property was switched from Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing on November 13, which allows owners to wipe out all of their debt, with the stipulation that the ownership of the property is transferred to the lender, in this case, Salem Five Bank. The property is currently being managed by the Spinnaker Group of Foxborough.

The week that the business closed, Wolfram told Wareham Week that he was forced to vacate the property, and that the closing was due to “misappropriation of funds by an employee,” but said he could not elaborate. He stated that he was “going to try to fight” the proceedings. He could not be reached by phone this week for comment.

Employees object to Wolfram’s putting blame for the business’ failure on alleged employee theft. Noting that some employees are still waiting to receive their final paychecks, they say mismanagement is a more likely explanation.

Salem Five Bank is conducting the January 13 auction. The real estate and the personal property inside the buildings is slated to be auctioned, Agin said.

The property owners are permitted to bid on the property. However, if no one purchases the property through the auction, the bank will retain possession.

The property’s liquor license, which encompasses the inn, pub, and outdoor tiki bar, is currently up for annual renewal, along with two entertainment licenses. The Board of Selectmen decided last week to hold off on voting on the renewals until it is clear what will become of the property.

"I think it makes sense to keep it open as an inn. It’s a great property,” said Andrew Kushner, of the Spinnaker Group. However, once the property is either auctioned or kept by the bank, “they can do whatever they want with it.”