POULSBO — Voodiez Dining & Cheer, a downtown bar and restaurant, is closed.
The owners posted a notice in the window and on the door stating that as of May 23, the business was closed because its building lease was not renewed.
How many people are looking for jobs now is not known. Information was as elusive as a bartender’s secret drink recipe. A woman who answered the door Friday morning said she didn’t want to answer questions. She said Voodiez has no plans to reopen elsewhere. “It’s not a bad thing,” she said of closing. “It just happens.”
On the door and window, this notice: “We would like everyone to know that we did not go out of business, but that the building has gone under new ownership and the new owners have different plans for this space. Voodiez owners and staff would like to thank everyone for giving us an awesome 5 years. We really have enjoyed this experience and all the great people that we have met.”
Another source said the building has been in receivership for a couple of years.
The building is located at 18932 Front St., between Closet Transfer and Europa Bottle Shop. Kitsap County Assessor’s records on Friday list Michael E. Dawson of Lynnwood as the owner of 18932 Front St.; a man who answered a call placed at a number listed as Dawson’s said the Herald had the wrong number. A message was left at a telephone number listed as belonging to Dawson’s partner in a dock for their neighboring properties in Indianola; information about the dock came from hearing examiner records in 2008.
According to assessor’s records, Dawson owes $8,349.89 in property taxes on the Voodiez property, of which $2,265.46 is delinquent. Assessed value more than doubled from $202,280 in 2011 to $462,640 in 2012. Annual taxes also doubled during that time, from $2,263.46 to $5,484.08, according to assessor’s records. The building was last purchased Sept. 7, 2005 for $375,000, more than double its assessed value at the time.
The building was built in 1918 and has 2,410 square feet of space.
Voodiez was known for its Texas-style barbecue, trivia nights and specials. Online reviews were mixed — thumbs up for great appetizers, “decent menu” and average prices, knocks for “average bar food,” weak drinks and iffy service. It was ranked 26 of 49 Poulsbo restaurants on TripAdviser.com.
