(Image: Waid’s)

The state’s effort to strip a 12th and Jefferson nightclub of its liquor license is again in limbo. In April, a state administrative judge upheld violation notices against Waid’s Restaurant & Lounge for serving minors and for having staff without the proper credentials. Owner Waid Sainvil filed an appeal on the judge’s rulings, but after the 20-day deadline. Now the Washington State Liquor Control Board is deciding whether or not to consider Waid’s appeal.

A liquor board representative said a decision on the appeal could happen any day. If the board declines to consider the appeal, they will then make a decision on the liquor license.

In February, CHS spoke with Sainvil who said racism and the push of gentrification was driving authorities to target his establishment after a series of liquor and drug violations at the 12th and Jefferson bar.

“It’s a black thing,” Sainvil said. “This is the only place in Seattle where black people from all over hang out.”

According to a liquor board representative, Waid’s faced five enforcement violations and one licensing issue that were to be examined in court over six hearings after the board initially decided not to renew the club’s license.