West Seattle business news: Locöl hopes to open within the month

Almost a year has gone by since we first reported on the plan to turn the former tanning salon next to Kenyon Hall into Locöl. But the waiting is almost over, co-owner Kyle Duce told WSB at his almost-open establishment (7902 35th SW) two nights ago. They hope to be in business by month’s end.

A lot’s changed in that year. He and wife Kristi are now parents. They’re about to have to renew their liquor license – granted so early in the process, they’ve had it almost a year without even being open! And with painstaking work from floor to ceiling to siding, they have lovingly transformed the space – once a market, as evidenced by the sign atop this story, found buried on the site along with other items such as old bottles. While Kyle didn’t want it extensively photographed, saying he’s hoping to surprise patrons with the “wow factor” when they enter for the first time, we can tell you the decor is warm, rustic, cozy – lots of wood, for example, like this crosssection on the wall behind the bar:

Locöl’s capacity will be 44 (in an 800 square-foot space, but it doesn’t look crowded), including several spots to stand along a ledge-like bar toward the back; a patio’s in the works out back, too. Every interior touch is deliberately Northwest, as are the beverages and food they will offer, the art they plan to display, and even the scenes from West Seattle history they plan to project onto the southwest interior wall (from a disc copy of the definitive West Seattle history book West Side Story)

Kyle, who has long worked in the restaurant/bar business, says the menu has turned out to be more extensive than they first planned, though nothing requiring a range hood. A few dishes visible on a sample menu – and mentioned by Kyle – include butternut-squash soup, crostini, a shaved-fennel salad, chard chips, roasted chickpeas. He says soups, sandwiches, and desserts will be among the mainstays. In the harvest season, much of the produce will come, Kyle hopes, from the High Point Market Garden, not far from where he and his family live.

Beverages will be – as planned, since “barley and vine” has been part of their name – beer and wine, with a local emphasis there too: The half-dozen or so draft beers will include locals like Schooner Exact and Big Al; wines will be mostly from Washington. (They’re planning beer-and-wine dinners, too; the tables in their seating area can be pushed together to create one big table seating 10-12 for the occasion.) Hours will likely be noon to midnight. And it’s a 21+ establishment.

The only thing between Locöl and its future clients, Kyle says, is the final round of inspections, and he’s not foreseeing trouble.

He’s also vowing that he and his staff will be ready – though he knows some slack can be cut for the early days of a new establishment, he doesn’t plan to count on that: “You’ve got one chance to get it right.”

29 Replies to "West Seattle business news: Locöl hopes to open within the month"

  • marty December 14, 2010 (5:25 pm)

    As one West Seattle restaurant closes, another opens. That’s how it goes in the restaurant business…

  • Scar December 14, 2010 (5:25 pm)

    I give this place 6 months.

  • Cheryl December 14, 2010 (5:29 pm)

    Bah humbug to @scar (aka TROLL). I, for one, can’t wait!

  • SPB December 14, 2010 (5:29 pm)

    A new place to visit and so close to my home.Go team Kyle!

  • HelperMonkey December 14, 2010 (5:40 pm)

    yeah, Scar. take a hike. I also can’t wait for Locol to open!

  • m December 14, 2010 (5:40 pm)

    can’t wait for it to open! it will do very well in this neighborhood!

  • Stephen December 14, 2010 (5:49 pm)

    I’m excited to become a frequent visitor.

  • onceachef December 14, 2010 (5:50 pm)

    I like that you’ll be ready…not a good idea to open when you’re not…such as when Wingdome and Johnny Boston’s opened…they weren’t ready and should’ve waited until all employees were trained properly and all kitchen equipment was in and functioning. “Soft” openings are not supposed to be “we’re not ready but here we go anyway” openings…they’re just not highly publicized. Good luck Locol!

  • locol December 14, 2010 (6:00 pm)

    Thank you so much wsblog for taking the time for us to share our dream. Can’t wait to open and get this place alive with friends, family and neighbors that will truly be the heart of locol. And for scar, love you and hope to be toasting with you in 2020!

  • DK December 14, 2010 (6:07 pm)

    Thanks for the update, WSB — we’ve been wondering when they were going to open. Excited to visit!

  • Ray Ray December 14, 2010 (6:19 pm)

    Go Kyle. We live in the area and can’t wait to check out this place. Westwood needs a great gathering space.

  • Amanda December 14, 2010 (6:48 pm)

    I agree with Ray Ray! Hooray for places in Westwood.

  • Mal December 14, 2010 (6:53 pm)

    Great menu, great owners & staff, this will be the place everyone will be talking about for quite some time…way to go Locol!

  • Bonnie December 14, 2010 (7:25 pm)

    I am looking forward to visiting!

  • Close enough December 14, 2010 (8:05 pm)

    I am SO looking forward to this place opening – lots of good folks in the hood, including myself hope to finally have a place to hang close by. You go, Locol! We’ve been waiting!

  • Jay December 14, 2010 (9:32 pm)

    Looking forward to it. Just a short stroll from my house. Hope you have a couple IPAs on draft.

  • Ladyblahblah December 14, 2010 (9:34 pm)

    I wonder if Scar is the alias of that woman who made a comment complaining about the food/service at Cafe Revo in response to the WSB story about the owner being in financial ruin after her husband DIED? Keep it classy West Seattle…

  • Sonoma December 14, 2010 (10:59 pm)

    This truly looks like a labor of love – and the menu looks mighty tasty, too. Thanks for not neglecting vegetarians. Not all of us crave pork belly. Big Al brews – yum! Love the patio idea, too. Best of luck, and I’ll be sure to stop by.
    P.S. Scar is the ideal nickname for something unsightly that won’t fade away.

  • kte December 14, 2010 (11:48 pm)

    Can’t wait! Best wishes! I’ll be there to try it out and spread the good word :)

  • RTA December 15, 2010 (8:53 am)

    I believe this place is going to do really well, it’s a great location and already a lot of good buzz

  • Bob December 15, 2010 (11:09 am)

    Can’t wait! Hope it has a TV so I can watch Hasselbeck throw interceptions on Sunday afternoon!

  • jen December 15, 2010 (1:48 pm)

    I am so excited — can’t wait to stop in!

  • Kathleen December 15, 2010 (2:42 pm)

    We are SO excited for Locol to open. It’s less than 2 blocks from our house and this area really needs a great restaurant/bar/gathering place!

  • Jennie December 15, 2010 (3:03 pm)

    Hooray! We’ll be there with bells on!!

  • Sonoma December 15, 2010 (4:03 pm)

    How do you pronounce it: Lo-cool? The umlaut is throwing me.

  • JumboJim December 15, 2010 (9:51 pm)

    Seems the new place is getting some good buzz here – I do plan on getting my good buzz there. Cheers!

  • Nancy December 18, 2010 (2:43 pm)

    Woo Hoo! My husband and I have anxiously been waiting for this place to open. The thought of having a cool place to hang-out with a deck in the summer just blocks from our house is exciting. Big Al Brewing–SWEET! We love the Irish Red.

  • KLD December 28, 2010 (3:25 pm)

    I live a block away. There is NOTHING close to this in walking distance. It should be a hit. (PS: you might consider filling growlers;)

  • MB January 2, 2011 (7:22 pm)

    Shane, Kyle & Kristi ~ the place is beautiful! Thank you for the New Years Eve sneak peak. Locol is well worth the wait and we can’t wait to celebrate with you when the doors officially open.

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