Because Ricardo Guarnero and Leticia Martinezâthe owners of White Center's Cafe Rozellaâhad been a "force of change" and a "model for other small businesses" to improve their neighborhoods, according to a press release from the city, Mayor Greg Nickels proclaimed April 20, 2007, to be "Cafe Rozella Day." Ironically, after getting accolades from the city, Guarnero now claims he is being targeted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) after he publicly criticized the police department and Chief Gil Kerlikowske. While Seattle struggles to keep its police accountability system afloat, regulate nightlife licensing, and fix the problems on Third Avenue and Pine Street, a small coffee shop in White Center is fighting the city over a fence.
Cafe Rozella, an eclectic coffee, beer, and wine barâcomplete with a sticker in the front window showing a grinning Che Guevara chomping a cigar, next to the words "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks"âsits just 50 feet from the border of unincorporated King County. The area, long plagued by high crime rates, has been a major focus of Seattle's Weed and Seed, a city-sponsored program designed to cut down on drugs and violent crimes in White Center, the Broadway area, Rainier Beach, and the Central District.
When Cafe Rozella opened its doors in May 2005, area residents say the neighborhood changed for the better. "[Cafe Rozella] has made a huge difference. It has had such a positive impact on the neighborhood overall," says Weed and Seed cochair Betsy Harris. "It's one of the few businesses that stays open past 5:00 p.m. [and] one of the few places in the neighborhood that doesn't have a happy hour from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m."
Cafe Rozella became a neighborhood fixture, and as Guarnero's business grew, he started receiving visits from the liquor control board. Things were cordial until Guarnero says he publicly admonished Chief Kerlikowske at a neighborhood safety meeting for SPD's slow response time to calls from White Center.
Days later, Guarnero says he faced retaliation: "I embarrassed Kerlikowske [and the next day] two officers from the liquor control boardâin [bulletproof] vests, with Glocks on their belts, wearing all blackâshowed up at our Friday music night." Guarnero says WSLCB officers began showing up as often as four times a week. Ironically, the reason Guarnero had criticized the chief was because, he says, when he did want police at Cafe Rozella, they didn't show up. The visits didn't go unnoticed. "It's intimidating," says Carlos, a cafe regular. "I don't think [they're] the kind of police you want protecting you."
Guarnero says the officers visited him 15 times, while WSLCB spokesman Brian Smith says they only visited Cafe Rozella five times: on May 18, May 25âa day after the meeting with KerlikowskeâJuly 3, July 10, and again on July 18 when officers cited Guarnero for selling alcohol to a minor. "We're not out to intimidate," Smith says. "We're there to work with [businesses] to bring them into compliance."
Guarnero disputes the sale-to-a-minor citation, which is still pending. But Cafe Rozella received a $100 fine for violating the liquor board's regulations on fencing outdoor areas where people can consume alcohol. Guarnero says he hasn't received any visits from the WSLCB officers in the last few weeks, and is working on a solution to the fencing problem.
Weed and Seed cochair Harris says she is aware of the situation with the liquor control board, but she says she doesn't think it's unwarranted. "I don't think he's getting any undue attention from the liquor control board," she says. "I would say he's getting a lot of attention." 
