Rumors have been swirling that the closure of Jokers Bar and Grill (the downtown nightclub/disaster in the former Elks building on Greenwood) is imminent. No surprise after owner Todd Sampson and his wife we're recently charged with writing tens of thousands of dollars in bad checks in an apparent attempt to keep the bar afloat. Somehow though the doors have stayed open even as the club's death rattle resounds down Newport Ave. Mercifully, it seems that OLCC may be poised to strike the final, lethal blow. It announced today that it is planning to revoke the club's liquor license for failing to maintain insurance that is required by the state of Oregon.
Sampson has 30 days to answer. But we're betting he, and Jokers, will be long gone by then.
Here's what the OLCC said about the case in today's press release.
OLCC issues proposed license cancellation for Jokers Bar & Grill in Bend
BEND, Ore. - The Oregon Liquor Control Commission proposes to cancel the liquor license for Jokers Bar & Grill at 70 NW Newport in Bend. The proposed cancellation came as the result of owner's failure to keep liquor liability insurance for the property.
"There are very good reasons why we have these rules in place," said Jeff Jett, OLCC Bend Regional Manager. "Having the necessary insurance for your business means making sure you're protecting your customers, your staff and yourself. The people licensed to sell and serve alcohol in Oregon are expected to be responsible business owners."
Todd Sampson, president, director and stockholder of Jokers Bar & Grill has thirty days from the date of the notice to dispute the charges and exercise the right to an administrative hearing. Failure to maintain liquor liability insurance or a bond with a corporate surety of $300,000 or less is a violation of OAR 845-005-0400(1).
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