City of Kent writes off Riverbend restaurant debts of $111,000

Irish pub, Scotch and Vine failed to pay rent.

The Scotch and Vine restaurant operated for just eight months at the city-owned Riverbend Golf Complex. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter

The Scotch and Vine restaurant operated for just eight months at the city-owned Riverbend Golf Complex. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter

Kent city leaders decided to write off debts from the failure of two restaurants at the city-owned Riverbend Golf Complex.

The City Council’s Operations Committee voted last month to write off uncollectible accounts of about $150,000 citywide over the last four years, including about $111,000 connected to the two Riverbend restaurants that went out of business along West Meeker Street next to the 18-hole course. The full council agreed with the decision.

A total of $98,653 is due from Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub and Restaurant that operated at Riverbend from 2010 to 2015.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It includes rent, utilities and penalties owed,” said Aaron BeMiller, city finance director, in an email. “The period is from January 2013 to June 30, 2016.”

City officials declined to renew a five-year lease with Mick Kelly’s because of unpaid lease and utility bills. Owner Mick Purdy disputed with the city about how it made him pay extra for utilities that also covered the clubhouse.

The $98,653 has been turned over to collections, BeMiller said. The city contracts with AllianceOne Receivables Management, Inc., to try to collect funds.

“This does not relieve obligations due, it takes it off our books,” BeMiller said to the committee about the write-off.

In April, city officials closed the Scotch and Vine restaurant after just eight months of operation because owners missed rent payments. A total of $12,027 from Scotch and Vine for rent and penalties is part of this year’s write-off.

But unless Scotch and Vine, whose owners also closed their Des Moines location earlier this year, makes payments to the city, Kent will have more to write-off in the future from the failed restaurant.

“Scotch and Vine still have an outstanding balance owed to the city of $30,588 which is currently in collections and was not part of this year’s write-off,” BeMiller said. “Payments received from Scotch and Vine include $5,321 for November 2016 rent and $622 for fire permits and a finance charge.”

City officials are searching for a new restaurant to open at Riverbend next year.

The other major portion of the write-off this year included $26,930 for miscellaneous Public Works repairs and services, such as new guardrails, signs and other smaller repair items that add up, BeMiller said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent Police officers will carry the latest Taser 10 model produced by Axon Enterprises. The gun can fire more shots and at a longer distance than the older model. COURTESY PHOTO, Axon Enterprises
Kent Police add latest Taser model to officers’ equipment

Taser 10 can shoot more shots at a longer distance; department also adds dash cameras

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.

t
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

Group wanted to recall Meghin Margel and Tim Clark

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 25 to April 6

Incidents include attempted bank robbery, cable wire theft, DUI arrest, parking lot robbery

Courtesy Photo, Kent Police
New 3-year contract gives Kent Police officers pay boost

Hikes of 16% and 17% in 2025 compared to 2022; beginning salary at $96,306 with annual increases

t
Kent man wanted in reported DV case now presumed to be on the run

Kent Police initially believed the man had died in fire; seek public’s help to find Avon Cobb