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Valley Center’s only pub closes
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: October 25, 2018

The town's only night spot has closed.

Spirits Pub at 231 E. Main Street in Valley Center closed Oct. 20 after a 10-year run.

"I can't thank (my customers) enough for standing by the business they wanted in town," said owner Keith Moss. "With any small business in a small town, it's the loyal customers who make it. It seems like local business support has always been a tough commodity in Valley Center."

It's been difficult from the beginning.

Spirits may have had its loyal, regular customers, but it was never able to gain the widespread acceptance and appeal Moss had hoped it would.

Spirits opened in December 2008. Even from the beginning, some residents opposed Moss' attempts. After he requested a special-use permit from the city to sell alcohol, a petition with 200 signatures was presented to the city council asking for an ordinance to keep alcohol-related establishments from opening within 300 feet of a park. The ordinance passed. But Moss changed course and went to the state for licensing.

With a state license, the ordinance did not apply to him.

Spirits has always operated as a restaurant with a license to sell alcohol, but Moss said the struggle from the beginning was to convince residents that it served good food in a friendly atmosphere.

"We were legally a restaurant from day one," Moss said. "Yeah, we had bar aspects. We tried to cater to everybody's needs in Valley Center."

That meant late-night parties as well as dinner for families.

Moss also opened up for group social events, teen nights and fundraisers.

"We tried to be a very positive business in Valley Center for 10 years," Moss said.

It was difficult to convince some people of that, he said.

"I've always tried to serve the community and to be an asset," Moss said. "There are some who didn't see it like that."

Moss knew his ownership of Spirits was coming to an end about a year ago.

He started a new job as a retail consultant, which forced him to travel extensively, and he left his daughter in charge of the business two years ago.

During the past year, Moss has tried to sell the business or put it under management. The attempts were unsuccessful.

With business-related renewal deadlines approaching, Moss decided the time had come to close Spirits.

"This is the hardest post I have had to make," Moss wrote on Facebook. "I have decided that this weekend will be our last after 10 years of serving some of the most loyal customers I have seen. A lot of though has gone into this decision, and I believe it is the right one to make."

Moss said he has made a lot of friends through the business and perhaps some enemies as well.

"It's an experience you never forget," he said. "Even in 10 years, the mindset of most people in Valley Center still hasn't changed."





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