By George P. Hassett

A Somerville business staple, open since 1926, is on the verge of having its property seized by the city for unpaid tax and water bills.

Royal White Laundry owes the city $269,926 on unpaid bills for its two Cedar Street properties, said city spokesman Michael Meehan. The city has placed tax liens on Royal White properties going back to 2004.

Meehan said the city received notice from the land court to foreclose on the property in late January. Owners of Royal White can still hold on to their property if they pay the money owed soon, he said.

“Either way, the status quo is coming to an end,” he said. “They will have to redeem the property or cease operation.”