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Scott Allen, left, and Jaime Ambriz are the owners of the newly opened West Kelso Pub and Grill on West Main Street. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Talking Business: Cheers! West Kelso gets new pub

Monday, April 7, 2008 1:17 AM PDT

By Erik Olson

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For Scott Allen, the idea of owning his own bar came from the place where everybody knows your name.

“I wanted to be Sam Malone,” Allen said of the iconic bar owner from the popular TV sitcom “Cheers.”

That’s why he teamed with partner Jaime Ambriz to open the West Kelso Pub and Grill, located at 404 W. Main St.

“It’s the ultimate bartender’s dream, to own their own place,” Ambriz said.

Allen, 31, and Ambriz, 26, moved to Longview last fall from the Seattle suburb of Kirkland where both have tended bar since they were 21.

They had originally planned to go into business with another partner at a different local bar but that deal fell through. That’s what prompted them to move into the former location of the salsa dance club Garibaldi’s, which closed last year.

It’s taken a lot of work to bring the pub back into working order, Allen said. The two brought in four pool tables and flat-screen TVs, and they plan to have live music on the weekends in the spacious tavern. The pub also has a full menu.

“People can come in here and move around and have a good time without fearing bumping into people,” Ambriz said.

They also hope the West Kelso Pub and Grill will be a place where people can have fun without causing problems. That’s why they have two bouncers at night, complete with T-shirts proclaiming them “Peacekeepers.”

But they’re not there to intimidate, Allen said. The bouncers are there to make sure everyone is safe while enjoying a good time, he said.

“The best thing about bartending is meeting new people,” Allen said

The West Kelso Pub and Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call 501-3868.

Winlock real estate office honored

A Winlock real estate office has received a national award from United Country Real Estate for excellence in sales and listing properties.

United County-Northwest Realty, owned by Dan Godat, received the Kansas City, Mo.-based parent company’s Diamond Award for 2007, the company announced last week.

Other employees at the Winlock office are Jackie Johnson, Sharon Johnson, Mike Alvarez, Paula Burrows, Breanna Lopez, Wendy Johns and Carol Florek. For more information, call 785-4919, send an e-mail to dgodat@localaccess.com , or check the Web site at www.ucnwrealty.com.

Employment agency changes name

Express Personnel Services, at 725 Vandercook Way in Longview, has changed its name to Express Employment Professionals, according to franchise owner Lisa Straughan.

The change occurred at the Oklahoma City-based agency’s 600 offices nationwide April 1. The move includes a new Web site, www.expresspros.com .

The Longview office opened in 1995 and serves Cowlitz and Columbia counties. For more information, call 414-1200.

Talking Business is a weekly column about business openings, closings or major changes. Contact reporter Erik Olson for any business news tips at eolson@tdn.com  or at 577-2510.

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averageguy wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:07 AM:

" According to Yahoo's online yellow pages there are already 47 bars in the Longview/Kelso area. Do we really need one more? "

Mama wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:21 AM:

" New favorite bar in town. Hands down! Great food, owners are amazing, everyone must come check it out. "

reader wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM:

" His ambition is to be like a t.v. character? Scarey. "

Hewy wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:46 AM:

" Cool! Another bar in town.... "

Resident wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:08 AM:

" At least they are taking a chance. People can sit back and complain about "another bar in town", but these 2 have put money on the line instead of living off someone else's money! "

Charles Dickens wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:23 AM:

" It's about time someone takes that building and makes ir profitable. I will see you soon for a cold one and a game of pool. Good luck! "

CR wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:25 AM:

" I think that it is amazing to see two young men with such ambition. Good Luck with your new journey! "

Tazer Baby wrote on Apr 7, 2008 9:52 AM:

" You guys sound like little old ladies...another bar in town...have you ever even gone out and had a good time?
I think it's great to have another nice place that's new and different. Sounds like the owners have their heads on straight. "

Dick wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:05 AM:

" The felts on the pool table are the wrong color. "

Sam Malone wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:31 AM:

" I understand there vision of owning a bar. But this area is already full of drunks. Probably why they came down here to open one. The town needs more options for these people. A bar will just aid in the economic downfall of this city. Why don't we start knocking down these old buildings and make room for new franchises to enter. The city needs CHANGE! "

reader can't spell wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:41 AM:

" Can't spell "Scarey"... scary. "

Just wondering????? wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:54 AM:

" I guess your thinking of frachises that are located in the good old Kelso Mall? That place is a big success now isn't it? Seems to me that this town doesn't like a whole lot of change when it comes to new and improved. What business are you going to open Sam?? Dont knock the new kids in town trying to make something of themselves. "

New Bar wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:59 AM:

" YOU NEED A SIGN!!! We've been wondering what was going on in there for several weeks, looked like something was open... but what?? A nice sign would help boost your business! "

Give them a chance wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:04 AM:

" Come on people lets give them a chance. They state they are trying to run a fun place where one can go with NO PROBLEMS!!! I for one hope they are successful. I do not like to go out for the simple fact there is always someone that wants to fight. I hope these guys truly stand behind that and keep a respectful upscale nice lounge/restaurant. We can only hope it does not become another place like the one on commerce where the young folks hang and is constantly having problems. Good luck guys!!! "

chacha wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:05 AM:

" if you really want to make money put in a stripe joint, it would make more money then any other place here!!!! "

to reader can't spell wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:08 AM:

" Who flipping cares? Why don’t you head to your local elementary school and spread your spelling wisdom? "

Norm wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:12 AM:

" Congrats gents - I look forward to checking out the new establishment. While I agree with some of the comments regarding the many bars and taverns in the area, Longview/Kelso does not have anything you could truthfully call a "pub". I hope the owners are able to live up to the name because that is an area for real opportunity. "

uhh..... wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:13 AM:

" what's a stripe joint? "

Michael Hunt wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:15 AM:

" Just what we need in this town. Yippee!!! "

RE:cha cha wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:24 AM:

" Whats a stripe joint! Oh strip joint! Another professional who can't read or write! "

WHATEVER wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:32 AM:

" I GUESS TDN DOESNT WANT TO POST MY FIRST COMMENT BUT HOW ABOUT THIS ONE YA FOR THE NEW PUB IM SURE IT WILL BE WAY BETTER THAN THAT SO CALLED CLUB ON COMMERCE IS THAT BETTER TDN "

Kelso Mom wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:35 AM:

" I wish these two the best of luck. Yes, there are a lot of drinking establishments in our area but what we need is a NICE place for adults to go and not everybody who frequents such places are drunks. I for one do NOT want a "stripe" joint in our little town. If you want to see "stripers" there are plenty of places south of here and north of here. I also don't care if the pool table covers are blue, purple, orange or yellow. :) "

Nexus wrote on Apr 7, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I think its awesome we got a new local business. You do need a sign though! I plan on stopping by and having something to eat! Hope you guys have Guinness on tap!! "

"dianne" wrote on Apr 7, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Kudos to you both for making (what sounds like) a fun place to go, relax & enjoy a game of pool. My husband & I will stop by one night to kick back & have a brew. Then I'll have to beat him in a game of pool. Best of luck to you both in your success. "

Hmmm wrote on Apr 7, 2008 12:29 PM:

" I'm just curious what kind of Pub this is going to be. Is it supposed to be an Irish style pub or and english style pub? Either way I can't the building that was once "Girabaldi's" be turned into any kinda of "Pub" but good luck to the fellows anyways it seems they put their heart and sole into that place and hopefully it doesn't turn into a "dive" bar like most in the area. Good Clean Bars are something I think the area is lacking might have a lot of bars but a few new and clean ones would be nice for a change. "

To (place your name here if this is you) wrote on Apr 7, 2008 1:03 PM:

" I am also getting tired of the spelling bee. If you don't have an opinion don't post until you do! "

west kelso boy wrote on Apr 7, 2008 1:15 PM:

" A large dance hall is some thing this town has not had in a while .
In past history bars lined both sides of allen street in west Kelso, and down town Kelso, so what is the beef?
A nice joint with music, food and drink, it sounds good to me .
All the crap about too many drunks , is just that crap! "

RE: To (...) wrote on Apr 7, 2008 1:24 PM:

" I agree with you. People want to critique so bad that they find any little thing. How about this ..... why dont poepel finde something good to say instaed of being humane dickshonarees??? There's something for you! "

can't spell Scarey wrote on Apr 7, 2008 1:30 PM:

" I pointed out the "scarey" mis-spelling because I thought it was funny. But seriously, if you can't spell, others probably won't be able to understand your post. So, take your time and try to spell correctly and put together a sentance that makes sense. Also PLEASE DON'T YELL, I DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO READ POSTS WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS. Thanks :) "

RE: can't spell Scarey wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM:

" When criticizing the "mis-spelling" of others, make sure that none of your sentences contain misspelled words, or your "sentance" won't make any sense. "

mmm Beer wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM:

" I hope you get Micro brews they are the best. We need a good bar with Mircobrews. "

Congrats! wrote on Apr 7, 2008 2:28 PM:

" Geez! Its a good thing the gentlemen opening this Pub and Grill didnt ask for everyone's opinions. I think its great that they are opening up a Pub and Grill. We just drove down to Portland last night for dinner, because we are sick of the same ol thing around here. So kudos to you! My husband and I will enjoy going somewhere where we can have a good time. "

can't spell scarey wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:16 PM:

" See, that was funny too! "

Raw Dogg wrote on Apr 7, 2008 3:23 PM:

" I enjoy going to after hours clubs/bars. I enjoy going out because - well, it's fun catting around with the ladies. You know what I'm saying (wink)... What I don't like are the places that have Security Staff who treat people like trash, who allow customers to become so intoxicated that that are falling, stummbeling, hitting on your date(s). I don't like the places that attract the "thug" element. I don't like to look at night club staff memeber (ie bar tender, DJ's, and security staff) who look as if they have been doing Meth for 3 days. I don't like a place where the dress code allows for anyone in scubby threads off the street to come in. I don't like a place where the capacity is like 500 people, but have 6 toilets. There is a place down on commarce that used to be good, but now days, it's not so good. I hope that this place can be a good place for people like me. "

Good Weekend wrote on Apr 7, 2008 4:44 PM:

" There was an excellent rock band that did a show there Saturday night. Keep em comin' guys! "

How about wrote on Apr 7, 2008 5:30 PM:

" an adult video arcade? It's been years since Kelso had a good one of those? "

Lcpl. Miller wrote on Apr 7, 2008 5:49 PM:

" im not sure about the pubs in washington cause i just turned 21 but since bein stationed in north carolina with there crappy pubs id like to visit a nice one with a good atmoshere that me and my wife can go to without worries once i get back to the states "

City of David wrote on Apr 7, 2008 6:23 PM:

" Re: Resident, You are right!! At least this isn't a welfare handout to illegal aliens, or a no points loan to a minority for the purchase of a business.I am sure these guys will do well if they can keep the city of kelso off of their backsides "

reddevil wrote on Apr 7, 2008 7:26 PM:

" Considering that there isn't a whole lot to do in this town and not one of you negative people have come up with a better idea....this bar is refreshing and I hope it does well. Since when is owning your own business at their young age such a bad thing. Bar or not, it shows ambition....move to a commune if you want an alcohol free town. These guys are good people and I wish them the best. "

ST wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:37 PM:

" It is about time we had a place who had some good bands now & then. Peters had some fun music, but that was eons ago. Even us non drinking types like to go out and party with live music. And, to the people who said we have enough drunks, another tavern won't matter, if they are drunks, they will drink anywhere they can. "

diane wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:19 PM:

" Hey Norm... isn't there a Pub in Lexington? and the theatre pub? "

pub owner wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:49 PM:

" I would to thank everyone who has been supportive of our establishment. We are trying hard to please this community by providing a fun and safe environment. We welcome everyone. To those who are opposed and have not come in, we ask you to not pass judgement without stepping in and seeing for yourself. "

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