The Firehouse restaurant in Winlock is seen in this file photo from 2012.
April Pennington hoped to have Winlock’s Firehouse Restaurant open and serving by Egg Days, which begins Friday.
While she started preparing two months ago, what she described as ever-changing requirements to get a Winlock city business license have made it impossible for her to open as planned, she said.
Pennington spoke about her struggles at the Winlock City Council’s regular meeting Monday night.
“This has hurt my business,” she said.
It’s the latest in a string of complaints brought to the Winlock City Council from business owners and builders struggling to navigate the city’s permitting process.
Winlock currently contracts with Napavine for building inspectors and permitting services. However, the Winlock City Council has been discussing the possibility of finding a new municipality or private company to take over those services since late 2016.
Councilors plan to again meet with two companies under consideration for a contract in the next month, and are also still discussing the possibility of amending the city’s existing contract with Napavine.
Pennington said she got conflicting information from Winlock and Napavine staff about what she was required by law to do to obtain her business license and reopen the building. She told the council she still isn’t sure if she has all the information and paperwork she needs, despite several trips to city hall.
At one point, she said, Winlock staff told her to fill out a building permit, even though she only planned cosmetic changes to the restaurant.
“I was confused. I’m still very confused,” she said. “This is embarrassing to me that the ducks are not in a row.”
Pennington estimated missing Winlock Egg Days will cost the business about $6,000.
Council members expressed frustration at Pennington’s account of her situation, considering that until a few months ago, the space already hosted a restaurant — Lisa’s Diner.
“How can it be that far out of compliance?” Councilor Sarah Gifford asked.
Councilors asked for all city documents related to inspections and licensing of Lisa’s Diner, curious if that restaurant faced the same challenges.
City Clerk Tedi Curry said Pennington’s license should be issued soon.
“There’s nothing holding it up other than the final inspection,” she said.
