Two restaurants in Renton with a history of liquor-law violations and police responses could lose their liquor licenses.
The Washington State Liquor Control Board sent letters in early March to the owners of Golden Dynasty Bar and Restaurant and the now-closed HomeRun Restaurant and Lounge, informing them of the board’s intent to not renew the establishments’ liquor licenses.
Both businesses have requested hearings on their license renewal but dates haven’t been set yet, according to Mikhail Carpenter, a liquor board spokesman.
Golden Dynasty is open but HomeRun has been closed for some time.
The final decision whether to renew the licenses will be made by the three-member liquor control board.
“All licensees are subject to the Administrative Procedures Act which affords them rights; when you are taking someone’s license, you are in many cases taking their livelihood, so there is a series of checks and balances,” Carpenter said.
The City of Renton opposes renewal of the licenses, one of the facts the liquor board’s Licensing and Regulation Division cited in its recommendation that the board not renew the licenses.
Renton Mayor Denis Law said he’s pleased the liquor control board has recommended its intent to deny the renewal of the businesses’ licenses.
“Both businesses have been a serious concern to the city and surrounding residents due to a long history of ongoing disturbances, violence and other issues,” he said. “We will continue to take a strong position against any business that negatively impacts the community and creates a public safety concern.”
Law said the city has taken several steps to address such issues, including the nuisance ordinance adopted by the City Council.
“We’re pleased to have been successful at resolving the issues from the majority of the establishments that have been a problem for the city,” he said. “Most of the resolutions were through direct dealings with property owners who took control of the tenants responsible for the complaints.”
A representative for HomeRun couldn’t be reached for comment.
“Everything is status quo for now,” said Kenneth Chang, the attorney for Golden Dynasty, which still has a liquor license.
Chang said the ownership is still trying to sell the business and property. He guesses that if the license is not renewed, he might recommend the owners close the bar operation but still operate the restaurant.
The Golden Dynasty at 247 Park Ave. N. has held a liquor license since Apr. 30, 2013.
In her letter to the Golden Dynasty, Rebecca Smith, director of the Licensing and Regulation Division, outlined the reasons for the recommending that the liquor license not be renewed:
• The City of Renton submitted a timely objection to the renewal based on a history of serious public safety problems, nuisance and criminal activity at the location.
• In two years Golden Dynasty has accrued four Administrative Violation Notices; five of the six charges in the notices were public-safety violations.
• Golden Dynasty failed to comply with license restrictions imposed by the board when the license was issued.
• Golden Dynasty has continued to not comply with liquor laws and rules.
The HomeRun Restaurant and Lounge is at 423 Airport Way. It has held a liquor license since Nov. 17, 2011.
In her letter to HomeRun, Smith with the liquor control board outlines the reasons for her recommendation:
• The City of Renton submitted a timely objection to the renewal based on a history of serious public safety problems, nuisance and criminal activity at the location.
• The restaurant has accrued seven verbal warnings and one sustained Administrative Violation Notice.
At the administrative hearing, both sides will present their arguments so the independent arbiter can determine whether the board “has followed all relevant administrative procedures in denying the license,” Carpenter said.
If the arbiter sides with the board, the order to deny the license renewal is upheld; the arbiter could send it back to the board for further deliberation if fault is found in the order, according to Carpenter.
