Sandpiper's future in doubt

The state liquor board has essentially closed Silverdale’s Sandpipers Restaurant and Night Club — at least for now.

Orange-colored notices have been posted on the business stating the board “has suspended the liquor license of this establishment... June 16 to July 1 at 1 p.m.”

The notices state that “on or about Jan. 31, 2003 the licensee or an employee” allowed an intoxicated person to consume liquor.

Tricia Currier, a Washington State Liquor Board spokeswoman in Olympia, said this was the restaurant’s third “public safety violation” in the last year.

On July 27, 2002, the restaurant was cited for selling liquor to a minor and for allowing minors to consume liquor. On Jan. 10, Sandpipers was cited for the same offense it was on Jan. 31.

Lt. Earl Smith of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office said he was familiar with Sandpipers as an establishment with occasional alcohol-related problems.

Property owner and landlord Joe Mentor showed up Wednesday, June 18, at the restaurant at 3113 N.W. Bucklin Hill Road, with Bremerton locksmith Paul King to “change the locks,” said King.

Mentor said he didn’t know much about the situation with the restaurateur/lease holder, and would only say, in answer to whether the business has closed for good, “Looks that way, doesn’t it?”

Currier identified Sandpipers’ liquor license holder as MLC Specialty Foods Inc., and the corporate owner as Michael D. Cross, with a Gig Harbor or Tacoma area code.

When called, Cross declined to say much:

“I don’t want to say at this time (whether Sandpipers is closed for good). But there will be a change there.... My lease is up, but hopefully I’ve found people who’ve bought the business.”

He declined to name possible new business owner or owners, saying the deal hasn’t closed yet.

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