‘I don’t want the rowdiness:’ Gee & Ursula talk alcohol restrictions amid Ruston sports bar sale

The city of Ruston, nestled above Tacoma, passed a controversial rule in December regarding alcohol restrictions, as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

The Ruston City Council, according to the media outlet, voted to ban liquor sales in the city after midnight and require businesses that sell alcohol to close at 1 a.m.

On Wednesday, The Tacoma News Tribune reported the Unicorn Sports Bar — an establishment that has been in the neighborhood for 90 years — is now listed for sale, claiming it was targeted by the ordinance.

Kye Barker, who has owned the bar for more than 23 years, told the media outlet that since the liquor restrictions, there have been fewer customers, leading to questions about how long the business will last. Barker also said she had been considering retiring before the council passed the ordinance.

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Gee weighs in on Ruston alcohol ordinance

However, despite the possible sports bar closure, Gee Scott, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” and a Tacoma local, believes the city council made the right move.

“I still think it was the right thing to do and the reason why that bar is closing, I’m not saying ‘I know,’ not saying ‘I see your books,’ but in my heart of hearts, I don’t think the reason why you’re closing down is all to do with alcohol sales not happening anymore after 12 o’clock,” he shared.

Gee wants the ruckus kept out of Ruston.

“Alcohol after 12 o’clock, keep it out the neighborhood,” he said. “I don’t want that in my neighborhood. I don’t want the rowdiness or anything like that. I want Point Rustin to stay mighty fine.”

Listen to “The Gee and Ursula Show“ weekday mornings from 9 a.m.- noon on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.