Final day for the Charlestown Street Café: Open for business

| Charlestown Cafe | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two people were waiting outside when the Charlestown Street Café opened moments ago for its final day in business after 32 years (and two more followed them in a moment later).

Everything’s up and running despite last night’s power problem. First in line, arriving about 20 minutes before 7, was Mike (photo above), doing a puzzle while he waited; he told us he had just decided he “might as well come here the last day.” We’ll be checking in during the day; the restaurant is scheduled to close its doors for good at 3 pm, with a note on the door sternly warning “last seating at 2:30 pm.” As we first reported one week ago, owner Ron Hanlon says the economy has done what first a development threat and then a fire couldn’t do – force the popular café’s doors to close.

LR April 3, 2011 (8:56 am)

Hay he is also known as maestro he teaches Violin and other instraments at Cafe Rozella on Saturdays at 3:00PM Wow its so nice to see him on the WSB
:) :) :) :)

WSB April 3, 2011 (11:23 am)

LR – that’s one of the things we were talking with him about, while waiting for the doors to open! – TR

smile April 3, 2011 (9:47 am)

Re. the 32 years in business, Charlestown opened it’s doors 1991. I worked for Ron at Websters on Califonia and transferred to the Charlestown when it opened. I believe the 32 years is how long Ron has been owning/operating resturants. Just a little FYI. I waited tables 3 years there and it was a great experience with warm and wonderful staff and clients, especially the sweet little old ladies who would leave a 25 cent tip.

WSB April 3, 2011 (11:25 am)

Smile, we’ll add additional detail to make that distinction clear, thanks – that part was explained in one of our previous stories … TR

Andy Parypa April 3, 2011 (9:50 am)

I’d like to think they went out of business because of their boiled red potatoes. I went there twice for breakfast, and I couldn’t even get hash browns. Who the hell wants to eat bacon, eggs and boiled red potatoes— and don’t give me any Michelle Obama crap about my health.

WSB April 3, 2011 (12:32 pm)

Andy – funny you say that. The second guy in line proclaimed he was there for one last fix of “overeasy and red potatoes.” I think the Charlestown was the first place I ever saw a red potato – not long after we moved here – every place else we lived, it was all about the russets.

JoAnn D. April 3, 2011 (11:00 am)

Longtime resident of WS, sad to see this establishment close…I remember when Pennys Doghouse was at almost the same location. I loved those greasy hamburgers and fried shrimp as a teenager. After my father passed in 1987 our family went to Websters for brunch, that restraunt had been a favorite of my Mom and Dad’s…strange what we remember or how we mark important family events. We often went to lunch at “The Charlston”with my mom and my husbands Aunties too. Now both my parents have gone on and we have moved to Montana but my husband and I both feel sad, part of our family’s life memories will always center around Websters and Charleston Street Cafe. Life will go on our memories will too. Best wishes and blessing to all!