New birth
Scene
Baisch family welcomes latest addition: Gabrielle Lynne born on Nov. 8
Community Thanksgiving Dinner with more volunteers than ever
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Journal
The 75¢ Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Vol. 104 Issue 47
of the San Juan Islands
www.sanjuanjournal.com
No permit, no farm stand Family farm closes shops after county action Journal Staff Report
Journal photo /Cali Bagby
Tyler Felton, who has worked at Friday Harbor’s only liquor store for just two and a half weeks, stocks the shelves, while customers peruse the variety of choices. “Vodka is our most popular beverage,” said another employee, Sally Rogers.
End of era for liquor store FH one of 180 state-run liquor stores to close By Scott Rasmussen
Christmas comes early at the only liquor store in Friday Harbor. In fact, it arrives about six months ahead of schedule. That’s according to Penny Dunn, who has managed San Juan Island’s sole hard liquor outlet for the last 24 of her 30-year tenure at the state-run liquor store. “Christmas is the biggest time of the year for just about every liquor store on the mainland,” Dunn said. “Some of them have waiting lines just to get inside and security guards for crowd control because they’re that busy during the holidays. I have my Christmas here in July.” But there won’t be another.
While her counterparts on the mainland grapple with the influx of holiday business, Dunn and her three employees are preparing for the end of an era, and for the end of employment. Friday Harbor’s outlet will be among the 180 or so state-run liquor store that will close by June 1, if not sooner, as Initiative 1183, which essentially kicks the state out of the liquor business and allows private retailers to sell spirits instead, passed with nearly 60 percent approval in the Nov. 8 election. In San Juan County, voters approved the statewide initiative by 53 percent, with 3,827 “yes” votes eclipsing 3,436 “no” votes. Dunn said she saw the “writing on the wall” in October, as polls began to show I-1183 gaining momentum. She remains philosophical about the prospect of searching for a new job after
30 years with one employer — Washington state. “I guess I’ll go with the flow and hope something better comes along,” she said. “You can either look at it negatively or positively. I am not going to take it personally.” Under I-1183, stores of 10,000 square feet or more are allowed to sell liquor, benefit from volume discounts on liquor and wine, and can warehouse those products themselves rather than having to rely on distributors for supply. The state liquor board still must develop a process through which it will auction off stateowned liquor stores and the licenses that will allow private companies to sell and distribute spirits. State liquor board spokesman See LIQUOR, Page 4
After two and a half years of operation, Jones Family Farms is closing their Lopez Island farm stand, a 200 square-foot building, which sells live shellfish frozen seafood, meat and produce, on Nov. 30. Nick and Sara Jones, the farm stand owners, contend in a press release written on the morning of Nov. 18 that they are closing because a San Juan County enforcement officer and building official have given notice that the farm stand requires all the commercial building code requirements of a full sized grocery store, restaurant, or any other commercial enterprise and that the Jones’ could face prosecution. San Juan County says no enforcement action has been filed against Jones Family Farms, according to a press release sent on the afternoon of Nov. 18, and prepared by Stan Matthews, county communications manager. The county maintains the farm stand does require a permit due to the nature of the structure, the electrical hookup and equipment and the fact that customers transact business inside the building. The Jones’ said code requirements would cost tens of thousands of dollars, and consume vast amounts of time, and that county officials were unwilling to explain what exactly was needed before they submitted a permit and commitment to carrying out all required improvements. “Our elected officials inform us that they have no capacity to protect us from these officials,” wrote the Jones. “We have neither the financial ability nor the desire to
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write a blank check to conform to pointless standards.” County Building Official, Rene Beliveau, said the permit requirements aren’t onerous. “In this case, we’d be looking to make sure the electrical connections are safe, the equipment installed properly, that people can get in and out of the building safely and that the structure is sound,” she said. According to Beliveau, the permitting process should cost between $100 and $150, and will determine what, if any, improvements are needed. The Jones said that with the shutting down of the farm stand they will lose a significant portion of their business, lose the ability See FARM STAND, Page 4
Holiday wishes In the San Juans
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The magazine of holiday ideas, activities and events Thanksgiving through New Year’s
Published by The Journal of the San Juan Islands and The Islands’ Sounder
Look Inside Holiday Wishes in the San Juans: Your guide to the best and brightest holiday season gift guides, events, festivals and celebrations across the islands.