LAKEPORT >> TJ’s Downtown Bar & Grill, a once thriving bar and restaurant, shut down abruptly at the end of last year. By way of consolation for its regulars, word went around that a new owner planned to reopen the place soon. But TJ’s remains dark, paperwork related to an ownership change is apparently non-existent and, recently, the city slapped a stop work order on the door.
“I did not close down TJ’s”, Tom Carlton said firmly. Carlton is a building official for the City of Lakeport Community Development Department. “I don’t know who did but the doors are locked and no one is there.”
Carlton said that he heard there was a change of ownership in the works and someone had taken out an application for new ownership of TJ’s, but the paperwork hadn’t been returned. When Carlton stopped by last month to check on things, he found the place locked up. Scrawled in white on a chalkboard inside the front door were the words “Closed Until Further Notice.” Carlton said he looked through the windows of the building at 370 S. Main St., Lakeport but couldn’t see any workmen or renovations. He affixed the City’s hard-to-miss, red placard on the front door Feb. 18, alerting the Public to a work stoppage due to lack of permits. There were none on file with the City.
Carlton further said, that if there were new owners at TJ’s, the business would need to obtain approval from the County Air Quality Board and the Environmental Board in addition to filing for a Business License.
TJ’s Downtown Bar & Grill opened in 2009 and was an instant hit with Lake County residents. Famous for its parties, celebrations, good vibes and community charities, TJ’s welcomed everyone to a good time, fresh food and plenty of it. Yelp and tripadvisor.com lists years of enthusiastic reviews from posters nearby, across the Country and the world according to several admirers in France and Germany. According to law enforcement reports, however, there were also rough and tumble times when fights and arrests happened. The current reviews are fewer and inconsistent. Yet no one was prepared for the sudden shutdown of this hometown landmark.
The California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control confirms the liquor license issued on July 22, 2009 TJ’s was set to expire June 30, 2015 but was surrendered on January 8, 2015. As of today, ABC does not show a replacement or transfer license under a new owners name or new business name at the address.
