Headquarters Lounge has been dark for “a while.”

It was exactly two months ago when the historic bar on the northwest corner of Maricopa and Honeycutt Roads shuttered following the March death of owner Alma Farrell. Because her name was on the liquor license, the business was forced to pause operations until a new license could be issued.

Now, another obstacle appears to have surfaced. The bar claims to need 500 letters of support to present in court tomorrow.

Last week, family members emailed some customers asking for help gathering those letters so new owners Darwin and Jocelyn Parks could “open the bar until probate court is settled,” according to a copy of the letter shared yesterday.

“Good day to you! Darwin and Jocelyn are reaching out to customers asking if you would consider writing a character letter on behalf of us and our business HQ’s bar,” the owners wrote.

They asked customers to address 500 letters to Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Thorup and submit them tomorrow in hopes of securing a temporary liquor license.

Jocelyn Parks declined to answer any questions about her letter-writing campaign today. The court, however, was willing to weigh in:

“Judge Thorup handles guardianships and conservatorships and does not have any cases involving the Headquarters Bar in Maricopa,” said Todd Zweig, the superior court administrator. “In addition, a superior court judge would not request 500 letters from the community for any purpose.”

Still, if dozens of social media comments are any indicator, Judge Thorup may be receiving plenty of unwanted letters anyway. As for when Maricopans can expect their watering hole to reopen? It may still be a while.