Oct. 10—Originally opened in 2022 at the former location of Spiffy’s Restaurant and Bakery just off of Interstate 5 Exit 68, Papa Bear’s West Family Restaurant and Bar is now permanently closed as of the end of August.
Papa Bear’s West’s closure comes just as Northfork Realty realtor Maddie Deskins announced that Mrs. Beesley’s Burgers, located south of Papa Bear’s West’s location off of Exit 59 on I-5, is currently for sale with an asking price of $495,000.
“Step into a piece of history with Mrs. Beesley’s Burgers — an iconic and beloved burger bar known far and wide by locals and travelers for its timeless charm, mouthwatering classics, and a loyal following,” Deskins wrote in a Facebook listing. “Founded in the late 1950’s to serve I-5 workers, Mrs. Beesley’s blends old-fashioned diner nostalgia with legendary food, milkshakes and friendly service.”
As for Papa Bear’s West, no official announcement was made on its official Facebook page as to the reason behind its doors being shut permanently. Spiffy’s was closed in 2021 after accruing over $400,000 in Washington state Department of Labor & Industries COVID-era fines for offering indoor dining during the shutdown.
The Chronicle contacted Shawn Crittenden, who still owns and runs the second Papa Bear’s location in Morton, to find out why Papa Bear’s West was closed.
“There’s been all kinds of rumors, but it’s typical. The overhead was a little too much for the building,” Crittenden said. “The building needed a lot of upgrading, and we’re not a big business. We’re a little mom-and-pop place. It was basically financial, that was the biggest thing … With the overhead, it just never materialized with what we anticipated it to do.”
He also stated with the lease coming up, the owners of the building were looking to sell the property.
“They wanted an astronomical amount of money,” Crittenden added.
Business at Papa Bear’s Morton location is still going well, according to Crittenden. He also addressed claims circulating online from former employees alleging paychecks had been bouncing.
“We’ve had some financial situations, but no one’s ever not been paid,” Crittenden said.
Along with his wife, Kim Crittenden, the couple has also recently taken over ownership of The Highlander Family Restaurant and Bar in Ashford.
“That’s something that me and my wife, we met there 22 years ago. She was a waitress there and I actually went up there to help my mom one summer and worked as a bartender there and we met,” Crittenden said. “Opportunity arose to take it over, and it’s kind of the same thing as Morton. It’s got very low overhead and it just makes sense.”
The Highlander is located at 30319 state Route 706 in Ashford. Papa Bear’s is located at 207 Main Ave. in Morton. Mrs. Beesley’s Burgers is located at 393 Cowlitz Ridge Road in Toledo just off I-5.
