September 21, 1999

PORT CITY GROCERY & MARKET LOSES LIQUOR LICENSE

Everett- The Liquor Control Board canceled the liquor license of The Port City Grocery and Market located at 3301 Rucker Avenue in Everett. The license cancellation was effective September 17, 1999.

The case against Port City Grocery began in January 1999. Liquor enforcement agents received information from the Everett Police Department that the licensee, James Earl Hines, was arrested for selling cocaine at the licensed business. The Liquor Control Board immediately imposed a 30 day emergency suspension of the license.

The licensee requested an administrative hearing set for June 24, 1999. At the hearing, the licensee failed to appear either in person or by representative. On June 25, 1999, the Administrative Law Judge Ernest A. Heller affirmed the Board's recommended penalty of license cancellation.

The judges ruling states, "The offense in question is one of the most serious offenses which may come to the Board's attention. For licensed premises to become centers of drug activity and for licensees to participate in such activity is both a threat to the public safety and a threat to the integrity of the Board's regulatory system."

The Liquor Control Board issued a Final Order to cancel the liquor license effective September 17, 1999.

For more information please contact Tricia Currier at (360) 664-1784 or page at (360) 290-3683. You may also contact Gigi Zenk at (360) 664-1774 or page at (360) 534-8098.

© 1998 - Washington State Liquor Control Board
Please contact the webmaster with any questions.