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Underage infractions leave West Main Pub's future in peril

Monday, July 21, 2008 11:47 PM PDT

By Amy M.E. Fischer

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The future of a new Kelso watering hole is in jeopardy just five months after it opened.

The state Liquor Control Board may suspend the West Main Pub’s liquor license for a week because agents twice caught bar employees violating underage drinking laws, according to liquor board spokesman Brian Smith.

Also, the Kelso City Council is asking the state to revoke the bar’s liquor license altogether when it comes up for renewal this October.

But one of the people involved in the bar’s operation says they’re cleaning up their acts and won’t make the same mistakes if given another chance.

Police Chief Wayne Nelson told the council at last week’s meeting the West Main Pub’s problems included overselling alcohol, patrons urinating and vomiting in the parking lot, underage drinking and drug arrests.

The bar at 404 W. Main St. has had more police calls in two months than all the city’s other taverns combined, Nelson said.

On May 17, undercover agents discovered a minor in the bar during a Liquor Control Board sting operation. The West Main Pub did not sell beer to a minor but did allow a minor to enter past the doorman, which carriers the same penalty as if the minor had obtained alcohol.

On June 26, when the agents returned to deliver the citation papers, they said they saw an underage female drinking inside the bar, according to Kelso Police Captain Andy Hamilton.

They cited the bartender and bouncer for allowing the girl to enter and then discovered the bartender had an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant, Hamilton said.

Doug Caywood, one of the bar’s operators, said he fully understands why Kelso might want to yank West Main Pub’s liquor license. But, he said, given another chance, things will be different.

“I think this is a good wake-up call for everybody and the City Council did absolutely the right thing,” said Caywood, 57.

Caywood, who is a guarantor on the building’s lease, said he has advised one of the owners, Jaime Ambriz, not to fight the state’s sanctions, which also include a fine.

“Just take the week (suspension) and don’t do it again,” Caywood said he told Ambriz.

He said many of the problems can be traced to people who no longer work at the bar. Sometimes people who run bars “want to be part of the party,” Caywood said. Also, bar staff were unprepared for the large number of customers when the bar first opened and quickly became overwhelmed, he said.

“There’s so many things that can go wrong when you’re working with young people and alcohol,” he said. “I think they’re going to pay a heckuva lot more attention right now. ... You have to be careful, there’s a lot of ways to slip up.”

Caywood, who operates Henri’s restaurant on Ocean Beach Highway, said there would be tighter controls on how the bar is operated in the future.

“Who we started out to be is not who we want to be,” he said. “We weren’t paying enough attention.”

The state is scheduling an informal hearing with the bar’s owner to help determine what sanctions, if any, to impose, Smith of the Liquor Control Board said.

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local-leo wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:23 AM:

" Sounds like another Trophy's to me! Do you all remember the mayhem that took place there? It took some work but finally that pit closed too. This not what Kelso needs "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:23 AM:

" Hmmmmmm....problems included overselling alcohol, patrons urinating and vomiting in the parking lot, underage drinking and drug arrests. All is good though right? It's all about "Revenue" "

pinky wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:33 AM:

" Remember when South Pacific was open in the gold ole days and flourished for years with no problems like this? Pops, Mike, & Jimmy, come back, we need you!!!! I miss the old school south pacific...so packed on the dance floor, me dancin' on top of the go-go box overlooking a whole mess of people just having a good time! Signed a loyal South Pacific original go go dancer!! "

DaSkoob wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:58 AM:

" Wow this is a little suprising. I usually don't do the bar scene but I ended up there Saturday and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. The bouncers were friendly and thouroghly checking ID's. They actually turned an obviously over 21 y/o man away because he had no ID. They may have screwed up but it seems like they are at least TRYING to fix it. "

dingbat wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:26 AM:

" I knew it! I went there once and the atmosphere felt very immature. There were several drunk girls crying and calling eachother "dude" outside while I had a cigarette. I didn't see any of them smoking. Just hanging out in the parking lot. And inside was pretty much more of the same maturity level. It was ridiculous so my group of over 30-year-olds left. "

longview citizen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:34 AM:

" They not only screwed up once but twice that they were caught allowing or serving minors on the premises. It is nice that they want to socialize with their customers but bar owners need to realize once you have a drink you have no authority over your establishment!!! This is in place to protect them as well as their staff. If you choose to consume in your establishment then you can not tell your employees who to serve or not. You also can not conduct business at that point. Besides any respectable owner will stand behind a bartender or bouncer 100%. If they over stepped their authority then TAKE THEM ASIDE (not in front of others) and discuss it with them. Way too many bar owners fly off at their staff in front of customers/employees and that is a quick way to run people out. "

CONCERENED wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:44 AM:

" ALL I CAN SAY IS I APPLAUD THE CRACKING DOWN ON THIS, CLOSEEEEE IT !!!! and i have always wondered, if its illegal to drink and drive? then why do taverns/bars have parking lots? think about that huh??? Kelso doesnt need that kind of news making the daily rag sheet ya know? "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Just wondering why the SMOKERS aren't upset that this "private business" is being punished for not following the law? "

Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Shut them down!!! They knew the rules and they chose to violate them. Kelso has too many taverns already....If you can't play by the rules, you don't get to play... "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Why do they have parking lots? Those aren't parking lots. Isn't it obvious? They are open air restrooms where patrons can go to urinate and puke their guts out under the stars all while having an audience to cheer them on. When I commented on the Casino opening back up, Peoples biggest arguments against me were... 1) It brings in revenue and jobs... 2) There are laws in place against drunk driving... 3) There are laws in place against over serving alcohol. They seemed to think that because there are laws in place, those things just don't happen. Clearly this story proves different. Granted, this is only one place that got caught but, I am willing to bet that if they cracked down on other places you would find it happens quite often. As for the revenue thing... How many innocent lives that are lost each year to drunk drivers and other alcohol related crimes are worth the revenue that these places generate? I say, NOT ONE! One life lost because of the revenue brought in is TOO MANY!!! "

nana 2 three wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:58 AM:

" We can also hope the underage drinkers in the bar were cited. "

lucky1 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:19 AM:

" Didnt they already have a second chance? "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:22 AM:

" RE: TDN Bad Boy... Not all smokers break the law just like not all drinking establishments break the law. If you want to say that ALL smokers do, then I guess I would have to answer back with, Shut down ALL drinking establishments. Is that fair enough to you? "

CONCERNED mother wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:56 AM:

" SHUT THEM DOWN. if it happened one it will happen again. this type of behavior cannot be tolerated in out citty "

berryjewels wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:05 PM:

" This has nothing to do with smokers it is about over serving and serving underage drinkers so why would smokers be upset if the business is not following the law. If smokers are following the law then it really does not make a difference to us, now those who go into those establishments TDN Bad Boy, would of course have a reason to be upset wouldn't they? So Leave the smokers out of it this! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:06 PM:

" No I don't want this business shut down. I want it to follow the law. And I want all establishments to follow the Smoking ban. That means 25 feet from the entrance. Smokers like to argue that an establishment should be able to determine who it wants to do business with -- i.e. let people smoke. My point to them is that the same logic would apply to this business. And I doubt that smokers would say OK to serving minor alcohol because it's against the law. Well the same logic applies to them. Smoking in establishments is against the law. "

huh? wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Well, at least they didn't waste a bunch of money investing in a sign on their soon to be vacant building. "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:39 PM:

" Ok, I see your point Bad Boy but if you could clear something up for me real quick... Is it up to the establishment to enforce the 25 foot smoking ban, or is it up to law enforcement? Smoking in establishments is against the law and I am all for that but, urinating in public, public intoxication, drinking and driving, and serving minors alcohol is also against the law but all that seems to be going on here. You don't want the business shut down. Instead you turn this into a smoking and smokers issue. Your logic is to overlook what happens inside, outside, and because of drinking establishments and harp on the smoker. Makes no sense. "

longview citizen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:42 PM:

" How did this become a smoking law issue???? Get a grip folks laws are laws and like it or not we must abide by them. Although it is ironic the states issue our drivers license and get revenue, they also sell and tax our cigarettes and liquor and reap the profit talk about ironic!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

bmoc wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:43 PM:

" I think the problem is that this place attracts the kids who are just turning 21 and a few younger ones slipped through the cracks. Of course the younger crowd is more immature and rowdy, and they might even say "dude." You crotchety old geezers are not going to stop kids from turning 21, and they are not going to stop wanting to have a good time. The bar should just make sure they are carding and not over serving alcohol. Plain and simple. They have no other moral responsibility in the matter except to make money for themselves and their families. "

TJhere wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:49 PM:

" I agree allowing minors in to drink, can not be tolerated, over serving should not happen, with that being said I have been in West main many times and seen the bar staff refuse to serve people, and I have witnessed people that were obviously over 21 being turned away at the door for not having their ID in them. For those that get up on a soap box to preach about drinking....PROHIBITION was tried and did not work. I spent over 15 yrs of my life not drinking and being in bars....When a new place opens and the "younger crowd" starts going there it get popular and those issues need to be dealt with. If employees start to get into the "party" and not doing there job, That needs to be dealt with. I can see that a lot of those issues at West Main are being dealt with properly now. I won't comment on closing a business or letting it stay open, But I will comment that evrey time someplace becomes the "new" busy place. The community doesn't get behind it and encourage good entertainment and social interaction....most on here do just the opposite. Keslers, Trophys, Bumpers, all have had their share of issues when things got busy....the true test is what the current management does to run a good business. I for one see a lot of "30 plus" year olds stop in for an afternoon sandwich or a beer. I will keep going there! "

pinky wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:21 PM:

" Chain of command people... checks and balances... establishments get their liquor licenses which are monitored by the liquor conrol board to make sure they are following the rules... to be an cocktail waitress or bartender you also have to have a license which should be monitored by the both the establishments AND the liquor control board. it is human nature for people to try to push pull and bend the rules as far as they can, the best we can do is set up a system of checks and balances to keep everyone within the rules. people will get away with as much as they can until someone puts a stop to it, and that is the liquor control boards job. so I say good job to the liquor control for doing their job, which is to make sure that the establishment owners do their job, which is to make sure that the bouncers, bartenders, & waitresses do their job! And one thing no one has mentioned is that, the servers and bartenders can lose their license to serve over these infractions so as long as SOMEONE in the line is actually DOING their job, these problems should subside. if the owners value their establishment they will get their act together and do WHATEVER it takes to stay in business! Good luck! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:28 PM:

" RE Duh: Not true about ignoring what goes on at drinking establishments. There should be more crackdowns. Some of the behavior -- barfing, urinating, etc., outside is against the law. Yes barfing. Why? Drunk in public. Establishment also should be held responsible for what happens after a person drinks there. Commit vehicular homicide and the establishment should be held partly responsible. Also someone up above said it best, Kelso has too many taverns. Time for the city to become more respectable, and a city where the streets are lined with taverns is not a respectable place where respectable citizens will be into the evening. My point in this is that smokers are dumb when they use the "private business" argument. Because if that were true, the same would be true for these establishments if they wanted to sell booze to minors. I want all the businesses to follow all the laws in the state, even the oppressive tax laws created by more than 30 years of Liberal Demoncrat rule in this state. I also want to throw out the tax laws by rejecting the Liberal Demoncrats in Novemeber. But that won't happen in this state. "

Commenter wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Actually, establishments can be held liable if they overserve a person and that person goes out and kills somebody for drinking and driving. "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Oh here we go... First it was smoking vs drinking. Now its Democrat vs Republican. Fail to see your point as to where either of those arguments had anything to do with this business, or any others serving to minors and over serving alcoholic beverages to its patrons. "

DUH wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:11 PM:

" I too agree with you that there are far too many bars and taverns in Kelso. I have felt that way for years but, when I said something to that effect in a comment on another story about a drinking establishment opening up, I was slammed by people saying that it created jobs and revenue for the city. Somehow jobs and revenue take priority over innocent lives that are lost each year due to drunk drivers and irresponsible people that are under the influence. Like I said in my comment posted at 10:55am...How many innocent lives that are lost each year to drunk drivers and other alcohol related crimes are worth the revenue that these places generate? I say, NOT ONE! One life lost because of the revenue brought in is TOO MANY!!! " "

Louie wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:22 PM:

" These business owners sound like a bunch of smucks. A bartender with an outstanding warrant, underage drinking, urinating in public, the threat of being shut down...sounds like these owners haven't got a clue how to run a business like this. Maybe they don't deserve a second chance? "

bmoc wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:41 PM:

" This sinkhole of a society still calls itself a free country, but you people commenting on this story are the reason that freedom is dead in the U.S.A. That's why this country was set up not to be a democracy but a republic. The founders knew that if the people had their say, the majority would trample the individual freedoms that we inherit naturally, not from a government. Democrats will pass any law or tax to get elected, and Republicans are no different nowadays, caving to the Christian right and those who wish to impose their moral view on others. I am warning all you people who wish their government to rule with an iron fist - Be ready to feel that fist come down upon you. And be ready for the minority to rise up and crush you to regain their freedoms. "

missymae wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:14 PM:

" This Is the same old crap as always It will never change unless the alcohol becomes Illeagal we can't stop people from drinking and I think all bars,taverns or what ever you want to call them have the same thing going on. they should start a sting In the stores because I know of several stores In this town that sells booze to minors when will they crack down on them? "

pq wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:33 AM:

" this might date me a bit, but this placed has some similarities to the rise and fall of Trophies in kelso "

stargoddess wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:03 AM:

" The negativity in these two towns is really just astonishing. "

Momma Aimee wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:03 PM:

" Someone posted a comment on here about why do bars/taverns have parking lots when drinking and driving is illegal. My comment is not all people going to bars and taverns drink. Some people who go there are simply on pool leagues and participate in activities like this without drinking. "

Dude wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:32 PM:

" Alcohol related incidents accounts for 47% of all fatalities on the road. The math is easy the problem isn't. "

huh? wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:11 PM:

" I've been driving up and down West Main for 2 days, and still haven't found this place!! "

pinky wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:31 PM:

" To huh?: West main bar is the old Girabaldi's... they have not put up any sort of sign identifying the place yet. Sounds like if they don't shape up fast, a sign might be a waste of money! "

AnotherLameOpinion wrote on Jul 23, 2008 3:11 PM:

" I would say parking lots would also be a good place for designated drivers to park their cars as well!!! "

ulu wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:53 PM:

" I say we change the laws, anyone caught out on the road after midnight sobor should be arrested. Only drunks out after that hour, and who cares who hits and kills who? Some damned old Republican should like this law! "

rockon wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:11 PM:

" missymae: Sure, that would work because because we all know that no one smokes marijuana because it is illegal and no one drank alcohol during prohibition! Right. "

West Main Peacekeeper wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:49 PM:

" I am a New employee at West Main. Yes, They have had some problems sense opening but alot is changing within the management and staff. I personally have upset several customers by not allowing them in for not having PROPER ID or because they appear to be intoxicated when they walk up. West Main can become a fun and safe place to hang out. I do think its kind of funny how some of you kelso folks act like your town is too good for a club like West Main. I say you should take a look around. I believe Kelso has alot worse problems that need to be addressed. We are willing to work with the Kelso Police, Liquer Control Board, And the City Councel to solve the problems at West Main. Mabey they will force us to close but I for one am going to work toward making this a Fun and Safe place to hang out. "

mole wrote on Aug 2, 2008 10:32 AM:

" KELSO,was built on tavern income!!!when I was young you would cross the bridge the only one at the time.On either side of the road was taverns,the only building that wasn't was a bakery!!KELSO WAS THE CENTERAL GATHERING AREA FOR LOGGERS,FROM EARLY DAYS.logs were floated down river and collected in that area.loggers lived on booze and fighting,they got kicked out,just take a few steps and away they went again.then come sunday they would ride the train back to work.Now we have the same thing,with no train and to many taverns still. "

nipsey wrote on Aug 5, 2008 5:00 AM:

" My indian name is Runs with Beer..... "

August Rush wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:05 PM:

" To, huh?, you say "" I've been driving up and down West Main for 2 days, and still haven't found this place!! ""...

Really? You can't find it? It's the easiest thing on the street to see, especially in the evenings.

It's kitty-corner to Schucks Auto Supply.

If you drive by in the evenings it's the place that's over-run with cars and people spilling out the doors. :) "

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