Swinery Deli in West Seattle: Change in location plan

When we reported nine days ago that Seattle chef Gabriel Claycamp was planning to open his Swinery Deli and cured-meat business as part of the Seattle Fish Company storefront in The Junction, it was noted that the deal hadn’t been finalized yet. This morning, WSB has learned that Claycamp has just signed a lease for a different West Seattle space: WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, who has covered Claycamp’s endeavors before, reports that the Swinery’s planned deli and preparation kitchen will both be housed in the 3207 California SW location (left) that Muttley Crew Cuts is leaving for its new Admiral/42nd digs; the lease, according to what Claycamp told Christopher, was signed yesterday – they’ll meet with architects Monday, and are aiming for a mid-August opening. According to Christopher, “Gabriel says this location is better because they can consolidate their entire operation under one roof and divest themselves of the commercial kitchen space they recently started renting. He is excited about the potential of the outdoor courtyard too, as it will offer the opportunity for a ‘walk-up BBQ window’.” (For more details of what Claycamp is planning, see our June 12th report.)

Iggy June 21, 2009 (7:59 am)

I hesitate to post this, and I sincerely mean no disrespect and am not trying to make a bad pun. I am a lover of deli and glad The Swinery is coming and looking forward to eating there. But, every time I’ve seen their name on the WSB stories, I immediately think of H1N1 aka Swine Flu. I know the CDC is trying to get people to call it H1N1, since it doesn’t come from eating pork, but even the national news has given up on that and headlines still blare about swine. Now that it’s an official pandemic, The Swinery folks might consider changing their name before opening day signage goes up. As I said, I am not meaning this to be negative nor disrespectful—just that they might want to spare themselves from being the subject of bad jokes and perhaps loss of customers come the winter flu season.

rnl June 21, 2009 (8:06 am)

I agree with Iggy – possibly WSB could host a re-name the Swinery contest?

squareeyes June 21, 2009 (8:18 am)

This too shall pass. I’ve never once been reminded of the flu when I hear Swinery mentioned. I think of pancetta.

christopherboffoli June 21, 2009 (10:03 am)

I almost wouldn’t mind catching a case of Swine Flu if it would mean I could get my hands on some more of that incredible bacon or the delicious coppa that they make!
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Funny though….when we were putting this story together last night I didn’t think this is what readers would be concerned with. I was thinking more about the fact that they’re transitioning the space from dog grooming to charcuterie.
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Out with the schnauzer and in with the schnitzel!

melissa June 21, 2009 (10:11 am)

I’m wondering what happened with the deal with the fish store. Was it mutual? Did the fish store back out? Did Claycamp? It’s an odd situation, particularly after Claycamp sent out a press release. Anyone know the full story?

JH June 21, 2009 (10:14 am)

I thought of the swine flu immediately when I read this!

JanS June 21, 2009 (11:08 am)

whatever the story, YAY..within walking distance of me :)

christopherboffoli June 21, 2009 (11:23 am)

Melissa: As I understand it the Swinery people were excited about the opportunity to set-up at Seattle Fish Company because they are big fans of that business and its owner Hobey Grote. But the location at 3207 California offered a number of additional benefits including sufficient space to have their entire operation under one roof and not to have their staff split between the store and the separate commercial kitchen space that was located elsewhere in West Seattle. My sense is that it was just a better business decision more than anything else.

WSB June 21, 2009 (12:03 pm)

Also worth noting – the previous report didn’t come from a “press release,” but rather an e-mail announcement to a list that certainly included some media along with the long list of known customers/supporters/etc. These days, that might as well be a “press release,” but just for the record, wanted to make that note … TR

Forest June 21, 2009 (12:09 pm)

Like melissa @ 10:11 am, I’d be curious to hear from somebody at the Seattle Fish Company about how the previously announced co-tenancy deal fell through. All I know about the swinery owner/chef is what a google search brings up. Most of the results are citywide press about licensing violations and personality issues.

Huindekmi June 21, 2009 (1:22 pm)

I’m with Christopher on this. I’m not worried at all about the name, but the location gives me pause.
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They’d better clean the heck out of that place before moving in – scrub it with bleach, steam clean EVERYTHING. One of the nicest things about Mutley was that they were more of a ‘free range’ groomer than most. But those dogs peed on everything.

grr June 21, 2009 (5:54 pm)

It’s a pretty damn safe bet that the new location will be THOROUGHLY inspected by all appropriate health officials, as any other resturaunt/dining establishment would be.

and..really people…Swine Flu concerns?? sheeeeeesh. Guess I’ll keep away from Stone COLD Creamery as well.

cjboffoli June 21, 2009 (6:04 pm)

Wasn’t the location where Spring Hill is a gardening store before the restaurant came in? And Cafe Revo was formerly an upholstery shop and that had been converted from a marine garage. I’m sure they’ll have the new Swinery spic and span before they bring in any food.

nlorelee June 21, 2009 (9:26 pm)

Remember when there was the SARS epidemic years ago? Now there is a grocery store in Burien named this and it still gives me the willies. Yuck. I strongly recommend a name change…

NativeNancy June 21, 2009 (10:20 pm)

I like the name. I first thought of wine and pork. Mmm. Delicious. I can’t wait.

JanS June 22, 2009 (12:04 am)

Actually, the store in Burien is now Grocery Outlet, if it’s what I think you’re thinking of…SARS was a former name…

I suppose because I’ve had their bacon products (oh, my, yummmmmmmm), when I hear “Swinery” I just think of good bacon, and how it’s a play on words, folks. I can see where it’s just a better business decision to be housed all in one place…and I most adoredly welcome them to my neighborhood :)

Just thinking about how good their bacon is gets the juices flowing :) Trying not to drool here – lol…

grr June 22, 2009 (12:18 pm)

go ahead and drool.. the bacon is worth it, as will be anything else Chef Gabe decides to offer. The thought of a ‘walk-up bbq’ joint is enough to send me into a food coma :)

ang June 22, 2009 (2:24 pm)

very excited as well! Sounds delish and i can walk there! Awesome! =)

blahgrrmudgeon June 22, 2009 (3:23 pm)

My advice…stop “swining” about it!

fluorescent carl June 22, 2009 (3:54 pm)

You could name it tastes like butt… If the pig is good people will flock!

Mort June 27, 2009 (11:46 am)

Nuff said:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/devouringseattle/archives/161153.asp

BOC July 4, 2009 (3:50 pm)

Porchetta, Sausages, BBQ, Head Cheese, Mortadella, BACON, Sandwiches, Terrine, Pate, Bacon Burgers, Chorizo and more coming to a West Seattle neighborhood near you….

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