Update for Feb. 14
Instead of facing the state liquor control board on Feb. 13 and 14 to answer on a number of violations over the past year, the owner of Papa's Pub voluntarily surrendered his liquor license, marking the end for the establishment.

According to Washington State Liquor Control Board spokeswoman Anne Radford, "Papa’s Pub and the WSLCB have reached a settlement agreement in five pending Administrative Violation Notices. Papa’s Pub has agreed that the five violations occurred, and will surrender its liquor license."

Please review the Final Order of the Board here (first row of document): http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/board/Final%20Orders%20of%20the%20Bo…

Original post on Feb. 10
Papa's Pub in White Center closes days before facing liquor board

During the week of Feb. 10 paper covered the windows of Papa’s Pub in White Center and the words “Closed For Good – Papa” were scrawled on paper stapled to the doors.

The pub has received negative publicity in recent months for a string of liquor violations and its alleged involvement as a drug and gun trafficking front for criminals arrested in Operation Center of Attention in October, 2011.

Lt. Woodrow Perkins with the Washington State Liquor Control board spoke to North Highline community members as part of a King County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Forum on Feb. 10, detailing the latest.

According to Perkins, over the past year Papa’s has been cited for five violations including serving alcohol to minors and serving already-intoxicated patrons. Perkins said the owner was scheduled for a hearing before an administrative law judge on Feb. 10 and 11 to answer to those charges, followed by a 30-day decision period and anywhere from a 30-day liquor license suspension to cancellation of the license.

“I think at this point they are pushing for a cancellation of the license,” Perkins said.

Perkins said Papa’s owner was having conflict with the building’s owner and was behind on his rent, leading to his temporary eviction and the resulting “Closed For Good” response.

If the owner’s license is cancelled, Perkins said the cancellation is only tied to that location. The owner would be free to apply for a new license at a different location.

White Center Storefront Deputy BJ Myers addressed the after-effects of Papa’s shutting down.

“That is definitely going to have an effect on where our crime is happening in the downtown area … The crimes we were dealing with at Papa’s are going to move to other bars," he said. "Have confidence that we understand that is happening and are shifting our efforts from Papa’s to those other locations in the neighborhood."