WESTFIELD—A local business familiar to residents on airport property has changed owners.
The Papps Bar and Grille, located at Barnes Regional Airport, has been sold and is undergoing license changes following a Westfield License Commission meeting yesterday. The location was sold to Sokharun “Sok” Yim, who is the owner of Sok’s Bar located in South Hadley, from Peter Pappas.
According to Yim, the sale was finalized on Aug. 21 and the liquor and entertainment licensing was what was up for change during the license commission meeting.
Sokharun “Sok” Yim
Papps Bar & Grill located at the Barnes Regional Airport Terminal. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
The commission voted to approve the transfer of sale between Pappas and Yim, as well as the transfer of licenses. The decision is now up to the Massachusetts Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, which could take as much as 11 weeks to OK the license transfers, according to Sok.
In the meantime, Pappas will stay on with the restaurant and bar since the licensing is under him. According to Christopher Mowatt, chairperson of the license commission, this is still Pappas’ responsibility.
“You are going to have to be on site for records,” Mowatt said.
Yim said that he is attempting to expand his brand and to have a larger area, which drew him to agree to purchase Papps, but the location at the airport was what made him move to acquire the bar and grille.
“I don’t think I was in a rush. That location itself was the sell,” Yim said. “The location was everything.”
Pappas said to the license commission that he was retiring, which prompted the sale.
“I’m just retiring from the business,” Pappas said following the meeting. “And I’m happy to have someone of Sok’s caliber taking over.”
Barnes Regional Airport Manager Eric Billowitz said that those at the airport are excited to see what will occur following the change.
“We’re excited by the change,” he said. “The new owner having experience of what I understand to be operating a successful business in South Hadley and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.”
According to Yim, the brand of the location will change to something under the Sok’s name, but the change will occur gradually. In addition, Yim said that his South Hadley location would continue to operate with assistance from a friend and family member to manager the location.
Yim said that Sok’s in South Hadley has been open since 2012. Before opening that site, he said that he worked in bars and restaurants in Springfield since 1999, working in positions that included bartender, cook and bar manager.
According to Joe Mitchell, city advancement officer for Westfield, the location of the restaurant on the airport began as The Runway in October 2007. Mitchell said that following the closing of The Runway in June 2013, Papps signed a lease in December 2013 and opened the business to customers in May 2014.
