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Last Call for Angie’s

News   May 12, 2010 at 12:31 pm Jonah Spangenthal-Lee

It may be only a matter of time until Columbia City’s controversial watering hole, Angie’s, closes their doors for good.

Two weeks ago, the Washington State Liquor Control Board sent the bar’s owner, Woo Yong “Andy” Lee, a Statement of Intent to Not Renew License and a Request for Hearing/ Response to Statement of Intent to Not Renew, or SINRLRHRSINR for short. In non-WSLCB speak, that means the board won’t grant them a new license to serve liquor.

The board’s decision comes about eight months after the city filed an objection to Angie’s license renewal, citing a laundry list of problems at and around the business.

The city’s objection letter, filed in September 2009, noted incidents of gunfire, fights, drug dealing, and frequent calls to police at the bar.

The bar has long been a source of controversy in the neighborhood. Some neighbors see it as a remnant of “Old Columbia City” amidst the recent gentrification of the neighborhood, while the bar’s detractors see it as a hub of criminal activity.

While Angie’s attorney, David Osgood, says his client is appealing the board’s decision, you might want to go have a drink sooner rather than later if you’re a fan of the place. I doubt it’s gonna be around much longer.




  • Landed Gentry

    I think there is a distinct difference between closing down a chronic hub of criminal activity and gentrification. I don’t see how gunfire, drug dealing, and fights contribute to a healthy community. Closing Angie’s does not de facto result in gentrification. It could, but it doesn’t have to. Whether Angie’s is replaced by a pretentious wine bar, nail salon, or Ethiopian restaurant, the community will be better off for the departure of that business.

  • preston123191

    Even if they close the bar, it is not going to make the neighborhood any better. The crackheads will still be there forevermore….

  • Mark B

    I think I’ll stop in for a drink after work, I’ve never had a problem when I went to Angie’s. Who is everyone going to blame after Angie’s is gone and everyone is still getting mugged in Columbia City?

  • MJ

    Very happy since I think something better could go in the space to clean it up and attract the right energy for a safe, vibrant neigborhood and every space in Col City does not need a liquor license if they are not going to respect the neighbors.

  • six shooter

    Crackheads are like mountains and oceans. Nothing will ever move them or get rid of them. They always were there and they always will be there.

  • walter

    Landed,

    I think you have it wrong. It’s not the business that is bad it’s certain people who hang out there. Closing Angie’s will result in gentrification because another NYC “style” restaurant will open in it’s place (do you really think Tagla’s will move into that high rent area?).

    Closing Angie’s will accomplish two things (one good, one bad), getting rid of the troublesome riffraff and shutting the doors to a long standing Columbia City bar standing as one of a few earlier CC character locations.

    For all you who thing that something better could go in there, your logic is only partly true. The bar itself is just fine. It does what it’s supposed to do: Sells drinks, beers and some food. It has done that consistently and has drawn a solid group of regulars. It would probably do even better if certain people were not there allowing the fearful to gain access.

    That is the real problem. It is some of the people who come there that makes it a scary place (which is only tangentially related to Angie’s). If concerned neighbors and the city would do the right thing the bar would stay open and the unruly people would be forced away. Heck, I’d be all for a cop car parked right in front 24/7 and large groups of Columbia City citizens hanging out (not walking by across the street) on Angie’s door step. The former would be a better use of our city’s funds than going to court with Angie’s lawyer and the ladder would get more people out to our local businesses. Win. Win. Win.

  • nina

    It’s definitely not Angie’s that’s the problem. It’s the drug slingers and users/purchasers that are the problem. Has anyone noticed the sketchy characters taking over Lotties? Conveniently located within eye shot of Angie’s so they can keep an eye on their shady business? Apparently they got the heads up about Angie’s a few months ago and now seem to be running their business from Lotties. It’s definitely not going to change just because Angie’s is forced out. It definitely comes down to the community not tolerating this kind of thing.

  • Angie

    Angie, Angie
    When will those clouds all disappear?
    Angie, Angie
    Where will it lead us from here?
    With no loving in our souls
    And no money in our coats
    You can’t say we’re satisfied
    But Angie, Angie
    You can’t say we never tried
    Angie, You’re beautiful
    But ain’t it time we said goodbye
    Angie, I still love you
    Remember all those nights we cried?
    All the dreams we held so close
    Seemed to all go up in smoke
    Let me whisper in your ear
    Angie, Angie
    Where will it lead us from here?
    Angie, don’t you weep
    All your kisses still taste sweet
    I hate that sadness in your eyes
    But Angie, Angie
    Ain’t it time we said goodbye?

  • Keith

    More like “Exile on Main Street”. Or “Sympathy for the Devil”. Or better still, “Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes”.

  • preston123191

    Hey Jonah, have you heard anything lately about what is going on with Angies? I haven’t heard a peep since they closed. I would possibly like to speak with the owners/managers to see if something can be worked out to reopen the only bar that I consider worth going to in the valley. Thanks!

  • tiffanycc

    It was sold to Pete Lamb(sp?)- a CC land baron. I believe he’s the troll that sits in the house across the street from the parking lot on Ferdinand, handing out passive-aggressive notes to those who don’t pay.

    Word on the street is that it sold for a mere $202k